Indiana lawmakers are moving ahead with a proposal that could reshape the boundaries between Indiana and Illinois. The Republican-led state government aims to establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, a new body tasked with examining whether it would be beneficial to redraw the states’ borders. This legislative effort follows a trend of dissatisfaction among residents in certain Illinois counties, particularly those in the southern region, who feel neglected by their Democratic leadership.
The commission’s formation was formalized when a bill, sponsored by Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun. The law is set to take effect on July 1 and mandates that the commission’s first meeting be convened by September 1. Huston noted that over 100,000 residents have reportedly left Illinois since 2020, as indicated by U.S. census data, prompting conversations about a potential exodus to Indiana.
Voters from 33 Illinois counties have expressed interest in secession, driven by grievances regarding state governance and taxes. Huston has emphasized that Indiana could offer a more favorable environment, claiming that it is a lower tax state that provides a higher quality of life. “We welcome our neighbors in Illinois seeking lower taxes and more opportunity to join us in the Hoosier state,” Huston stated in a release.
While Indiana is moving forward, the process hinges on cooperation from Illinois. A companion bill intended to facilitate Illinois’ participation in the commission has been introduced in the Illinois legislature. Sponsored by State Representative Brad Halbrook, this bill has been stagnant since January, remaining unexamined in the House Rules Committee. It remains uncertain how Illinois would designate its representatives to the commission.
In addition to state-level agreements, any change to the boundaries between Indiana and Illinois would also require approval from the U.S. Congress, complicating the process further. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has criticized Indiana’s legislative initiative, labeling it a mere “stunt.”
As discussions continue, residents and officials from both states will be watching closely to see if this controversial proposal gains momentum or fizzles out in the political arena.
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