17-04-2025
Indiana passes bill to court Illinois counties
The Indiana Legislature has passed a bill creating a commission to study the Indiana/Illinois boundary in the hope of stealing away several downstate 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.
