ARLINGTON, Ill., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Officials say several Illinois townships are exploring seceding from Chicago-dominated Cook County because of dissatisfaction with services and government.
Voters in Palatine Township, in a non-binding referendum, will be asked in April whether they want to secede and whether the county should continue to collect a 1 percentage point sales tax increase enacted last year.
Barrington, Schaumburg, Elk Grove and Hanover townships are considering similar referendums, said Scott Lamerand, a Palatine resident and secession supporter.
To establish a new county, binding referendums would need to be passed with the question eventually going to the entire county for approval, The Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald reported Tuesday.
Though secession has been discussed before, this is the first time it has reached the ballot in Palatine Township, even as a nonbinding question, said Township Supervisor Linda Fleming.
