Indiana passes bill to court Illinois counties
Why it matters: The legislation, which Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is expected to sign, is a step forward for the separatist movement in Illinois. Voters in downstate Republican counties have shown dissatisfaction with the Democratic majority in Illinois, saying the current state government doesn't reflect their values.
The intrigue: Indiana's GOP seems hell-bent on exploring the idea of absorbing downstate Illinois counties that have recently passed ballot referendums looking to break from Illinois, even if Illinois' Democrat-majority General Assembly wants no part of it.
The latest version of the bill, which received final passage Thursday, makes Illinois' participation voluntary instead of mandatory.
What they're saying: "That's their choice, whether they want to participate or not," Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said after the vote.
Zoom in: Gov. JB Pritzker has waved off the attempt as a stunt, but downstate Republicans like Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) want the state to take it seriously.
He authored a bill to appoint Illinois representatives to the Indiana panel, but Democrats in the Illinois House have quashed it.
"Indiana is doing its part to facilitate the wishes of these rural residents. It is time for the Illinois Legislature to do the same," Halbrook tells Axios. "The only reason for Democrats to oppose this idea is simple vindictiveness."
Between the lines: Halbrook suggests it could be a win for Illinois Democrats, who could redraw the state to help elect more Democrats to Congress.
But losing Republican-majority counties could set back the Illinois GOP, which is trying to claw its way back to statewide offices.
State of play: The separatist movement has passed referendums in 33 Illinois counties (out of 102).
Reality check: Though the Illinois movement has generally centered on splitting from Cook County, Huston sees an opportunity to expand Indiana's borders.
"I think it's been a great opportunity to talk about all the great things going on in Indiana, and to say, look, you know, we'd love to have that conversation," Huston said.
Yes, but: Don't expect new state borders anytime soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Clinton County Republicans push back against Stefanik's attacks on GOP chair
PLATTSBURGH — An anonymous mass text message went out to area Republicans' cell phones Tuesday evening making several accusations against Clinton County GOP Chairwoman Jerika Manning. Manning, who is one of three county Republican chairs who will decide the party's candidate in the upcoming 115th assembly district special election, was accused in the message of trying to 'secretly' and 'illegally' rig the election and put herself up as the Republican candidate. The anonymous sender also accused Manning of putting up a 'placeholder candidate' when she got 'caught red handed.' The message concluded by saying that is why Manning must resign as chair 'immediately' because 'she continues to lie to GOP committee members.' The anonymous message was sent out just hours after NY-21 Congresswoman Elise Stefanik publicly called for Manning to resign as GOP chair Tuesday. 'NOT BE INTIMIDATED' Manning denied the accusations made against her in the text message. 'An anonymous and false text message is being sent to voters in Clinton County, filled with blatant lies about me and my record,' Manning said in a statement Wednesday. 'Let me be crystal clear: I have never sought to run for the 115th Assembly seat. In fact, members of the Assembly approached me about running, and I declined. My focus has always been — and remains — on serving as your County Clerk, a position that holds deep personal meaning for me following the passing of my dear friend and predecessor.' Manning is currently running for Clinton County Clerk and will be on the ballot for the Republican Party this November. Brandi Lloyd is running on the Democratic side. Both hope to be the successor to long-time Republican Clerk John Zurlo, who died one year into his four-year term in December 2024. 'These lies are being spread by those who want to undermine the lawful, constitutional process for filling a special election vacancy and replace it with insider deals. They know they cannot win on truth, so they are resorting to anonymous attacks and lies,' Manning continued. 'I will not be intimidated, and I will not abandon my responsibility to our voters. We must demand integrity in both our elections and our campaigns — and that starts with rejecting dirty tricks and holding accountable those who break the law to influence your vote.' SURPRISE ENDORSEMENT As previously reported by the Press-Republican, Stefanik endorsed village of Malone Mayor and Franklin County Legislator Andrea Dumas to be the Republican candidate last week. State Sen. Dan Stec, R-C, Queensbury, did so as well. When the county committee leadership did not follow suit, Stefanik and Stec called on Manning to resign. 'Elise Stefanik is RIGHT,' Stec wrote on his Facebook page Tuesday. 'The current chair's persistent rejection of outstanding candidate Andrea Dumas is the last straw. The Clinton County Republican Committee needs new leadership!' The endorsements came as a surprise to some in the Clinton County Republican Committee, especially because state election law dictates that a candidate for this special election cannot be officially nominated by Democratic or Republican chairs until after current Assemblyman Billy Jones's resignation is official Aug. 31. Clinton County Republican Committee Vice-Chair Jeff Luck said the endorsements were done 'without warning' and without seeing if any other candidates were being considered by the committee first. 'Andrea Dumas is a very strong candidate, but they removed from the county committee members any other potential choices that were lined up in the process,' Luck said in a lengthy statement Wednesday. 'Worse, they began an immediate bullying campaign for us to concede the process and remove the freedom of Clinton County Republicans to express their voices. We declined.' Luck said the committee is following the law by not endorsing a candidate right now. 'The Clinton County Republican Committee intends to fully complete the state requirement to offer a candidate for the 115th Assembly District special election without the interference of both Congresswoman Stefanik and State Senator Dan Stec,' he continued. 'This will happen in as timely a manner as possible, and an announcement will be made at that time.' The special election is expected, but not confirmed, to coincide with the General Election on Nov. 4. DOUBLING DOWN In a statement Thursday morning, Stefanik continued her attack on Manning and echoed accusations similar to those in the anonymous text message. 'Today we ensured that every candidate including Andrea Dumas will now be fairly considered by all the Clinton County Town Chairs instead of the Clinton County GOP Chair and Vice Chair attempting to unilaterally disqualify candidates, float placeholders, float herself, and divide the committee,' Stefanik said. 'Previously the Clinton County GOP Chair had wrongly said to many that she would never consider certain candidates like Andrea Dumas. We stopped that in its tracks by exposing this. 'We successfully ensured that Clinton County would fairly consider Andrea and let town chairs decide rather than the County Chair who should focus on her flailing clerk's race. Other names that have expressed interest in pursuing this nomination are: Ted Blazer, Steve Chilton, and Nate Locke and all should be invited. Thank you Clinton County members for stopping your Chair from blocking Andrea Dumas, a proven vote getter and great Mayor and Legislator!'
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
Top Trump official vows to end 'cycle of government dependency' in homeless crackdown
EXCLUSIVE: Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner wants to stop "the cycle of government dependency" for homelessness following President Donald Trump's order for a federal takeover of Washington, D.C. "President Trump is the law-and-order President and now he is taking necessary action to restore law and order to our nation's capital," Turner said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. "Americans who live and work in D.C., and families touring the district, should be able to walk the streets without fear of getting mugged or gunned down." "Years of failed policies and weak leadership in the district have led to chaos, crime, violence, and homelessness. President Trump is bringing back peace and stability for hardworking, law-abiding Americans," the secretary continued. "As part of this vision, HUD is committed to bringing back order by ending the cycle of government dependency that has enabled perpetual homelessness. Helping our nation's most vulnerable starts with giving them the tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency, not endless government handouts," he added. In a post earlier this week, Turner noted that "crime halts revitalization in its tracks." A major part of the federal government's crackdown in the city is clearing out homeless encampments on land throughout Washington, D.C., that falls under the National Park Service's purview. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained in a briefing on Tuesday that the options are for people to agree to get assistance, or face time behind bars. "Seventy homeless encampments have been removed by the U.S. Park Police," Leavitt said. "There are only two homeless encampments remaining in D.C. federal parks under the National Park Service's jurisdiction, and the removal of those two remaining camps is scheduled for this week," she added. Meanwhile, there's been a noticeable increase in federal officers around the capital city in recent days amid the hotly debated effort to curb crime in the area. While many Republicans and others have praised the move, many Democrats have said it's an overstep in authority. Mayor Muriel Bowser has said that juvenile disorder has been an issue, but has also criticized the federal takeover method. "This is a time where community needs to jump in. We all need to, to do what we can in our space, in our lane, to protect our city and to protect our autonomy, to protect our home rule, and get to the other side of this guy, and make sure we elect a Democratic House so that we have a backstop to this authoritarian push," Bowser said during town hall on Tuesday, which was livestreamed on X. "You've heard me talking about youth a lot in the last several months, especially youth who are participating in really destructive, disruptive behavior with these kind of youth takeovers," the mayor also said this week. "Some of them are our kids. Some of them are coming across the region to descend on places like the Navy Yard. So parents — this is not the first time you've heard me say this — so parents, you really need to know where your kids are. I think we really have some kids that are, you know, not criminals, but they are getting together in big groups and causing some really — they're causing destruction." The D.C. Police Union backed the Trump administration's latest actions, saying it could serve as a critical turning point for the city on crime. "Last night, DC suffered the grave milestone of its 100th homicide for 2025. Let's hope this federal intervention leads to real change to the laws in DC that allow this to happen year after year," the group posted on August 12.
CNN
26 minutes ago
- CNN
Alaska's historic summit has a lot of history
Alaska's historic summit has a lot of history Why did Trump pick Alaska to meet with Putin? CNN's Kevin Liptak explains the long history between Russia and Alaska and how the US state used to be Russian territory until 1867. 02:01 - Source: CNN Vertical Politics of the Day 10 videos Alaska's historic summit has a lot of history Why did Trump pick Alaska to meet with Putin? CNN's Kevin Liptak explains the long history between Russia and Alaska and how the US state used to be Russian territory until 1867. 02:01 - Source: CNN Gavin Newsom responds to immigration raid outside his news conference Gov. Gavin Newsom formally kicked off his push Thursday to redraw California's congressional maps in response to a Republican-led effort in Texas, setting up the next stage of his fight against both the Trump administration and a coalition of gerrymandering opponents within the state. As Newsom and his allies spoke, immigration agents made arrests outside the downtown Los Angeles venue. 01:28 - Source: CNN Former Ukrainian FM explains what Putin's 'land swap' proposal means Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour about Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed "land swap" with Ukraine ahead of the summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and the Russian leader. 02:00 - Source: CNN Putin praises Trump for 'sincere' efforts to end war Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration's 'energetic and sincere' efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and hinted that Moscow and Washington could strike a deal on nuclear arms control during their summit on Friday in Alaska. 01:37 - Source: CNN Locals in the Cotswolds protest JD Vance's visit US Vice President JD Vance arrived at Royal Airforce Base Fairford in the United Kingdom, where he met US troops and was welcomed by applause - a noticeable shift from locals protesting in the villages of Charlbury and Dean, where Vance stayed during his trip. 01:07 - Source: CNN The history of Trump's relationship with Putin CNN's Jeff Zeleny explains the history behind President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship over the years. The two world leaders are set to meet for their biggest summit yet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. 01:32 - Source: CNN Trump names Kennedy Center nominees after seizing control of institution President Donald Trump appeared at the Kennedy Center and announced the first recipients of its hallmark honors since he seized control of the institution's board earlier this year. 01:39 - Source: CNN Anderson gives his take on Trump admin's call to vet Smithsonian museums CNN's Anderson Cooper explores what the Trump administration's declaration that it intends to take control over the Smithsonian museums says about how President Trump views history. 04:15 - Source: CNN
