The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-11
CHICAGO IS TOO BIG
A Novel Scheme Proposed for
Its Self Government.
The Plan is to Sever It from
Illinois.
TO BE INDEPENDEN
1t Would Have a General As
Sembly of Its Own.
Move is in Form of a Joint
Legislative Resolution.
TO BE INDEPENDENT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill, April 11.-A move
ment was set on foot by Representative
Jones of Green, in the legislature today,
which if carried out will practically
sever Cook county (Chicago) from the
state of Illinois. 1t was in the form of
joint resolution and provides that the
question OF giving Cook county separ-
ate government from the balance of the
state shall be submitted to vote of the
people.
Tne resolution recites that the rapid
renders it necessary for special laws to
be enacted at every legislature. The in
terests of Chicago are IN many instances
directly opposed to those of the state at
large, ana therefore injustice must be
done to one section in order TO benefit
the other.
1t is therefore resolved that there be
submitted to the people for their ratitica-
ton or rejection at the next general cleo
ton for the election OF members
of the assembly the proposition
that Cook county shall be governed
by general assembly composed of
II senators and OIL representatives. Pro
vision is made for the division of Cook
county into districts, and the general
election laws of the state shall govern
the election of such senators and repre-
sentatlves.
This general assembly of Cook county
shall pass the laws necessary
! to administer justice in the coun-
| ty. Ali present judicial officers shall
hold their respective offices until the
expiration of the term for which they
have been elected. In addition thereto,
the said general assembly shall provide
for supreme court of i've members, TO
be elected for term of nine years.
All criminals aud insane persons from
Cook county confined in state institutions
outside of Cook county shall, upon the
adoption of the amendment, b. removed
to institutions in Cook county. No tax
may be levied on the county for use out
side of its boundary and Cook county
cannot draw from the state treasury, but
it shall receive its proportionate share OF
the revenue of the Illinois Central rail
road.
The members of the Cook county gen
eral assembly shall only sit with the
general assembly of Illinois during the
election of a United States senator to
congress and during the impeachment of
state officers, but can vote on no other
matters. No bill passed by the Cook
county legislature becomes a law until
OeA%A
house and by the governor of the state
unless they shall have received d two
thirds vote of each house.
All state buildings in Cook county
shall be transferred to Cook county to be
used as the Cook county assembly may
direct
In speaking of the resolution Repre-
sentative Jones said: "The necessity for
such legislation is fully stated in the
preamble. Chicago will soon be the great
est city in the United States. 1t is more
metropolitan now than any other city,
and its increasing needs are SO vast and
various, and SO different from those oi
other portions of the state, that it should
have Legislative body with power tc
meet every fuctuation of public senti-
ment and necessity.
mo citizen of Illinois will for a mo
ment consent to make a separate state ou
of Chicago, and every citizen desires tt
do all in his power to aid its growth. My
proposition has been hastily drawn, but
believe it is on the right line, and wher
fully considered will meet with popular
approval"
The resolution was referred to the
committee on judiciary.