If Northwest suburban voters had their way, Barrington, Hanover and Palatine townships would split off from Cook County to create the state's 103rd county.

In all three townships, voters overwhelmingly said they wanted to break up with Cook County. Palatine Township was most adamant with more than 70 percent wanting to go their own way in unofficial tallies.

Unfortunately for them, Tuesday's vote carries no legal weight, though it again sends the message of how fed up area residents are with Cook County government.

Starting a new county would require state lawmakers putting the question to everyone in Cook County. Similar efforts over the years have all failed.