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Forgottonia refers to a 16-county region in western Illinois that became the focus of a satirical secession movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movement's purpose was to highlight the area's lack of transportation infrastructure, economic development, and other resources compared to the rest of the state. Residents felt "forgotten" by state and federal governments, prompting them to launch a fictional political campaign for separation, declaring themselves the "Republic of Forgottonia". While the movement never truly intended to secede, it drew national attention to the region's plight, leading to eventually some improvements like the Central Illinois Expressway (now I-72 and I-172) and restoration of passenger rail service. The key figures behind the Forgottonia movement included Jack Horn, who coined the name, his father Frank "Pappy" Horn, a Coca-Cola bottler, and John Armstrong, a Macomb Chamber of Commerce board member. The group appointed Neil Gamm, a Western Illinois University student and Vietnam veteran, as the satirical "Governor" of Forgottonia. Gamm, known for his flamboyant attire and engaging personality, became the public face of the movement and helped it gain national media attention.

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