Home US The red state in the Midwest launches an attempt to grab counties from its blue neighbors at the request of locals

The red state in the Midwest launches an attempt to grab counties from its blue neighbors at the request of locals

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Republican lawmakers in Indiana have launched an effort to redraw the state's borders and welcome counties from Democratic-led Illinois (Photo: Staunton, Illinois)

Republican lawmakers in Indiana have launched an effort to redraw the state’s borders and welcome counties from Democratic-led Illinois.

State House Speaker Todd Huston introduced HB 1008, which would create the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to explore the possibility of redrawing the state’s borders.

The bill would include “adjacent counties seeking to join low-tax, low-cost Indiana.”

Hutson said the bill was inspired by the Illinois separatist movement, which has gained strength in recent years.

Voting resolutions to leave the state have passed in 33 of the state’s 102 counties, including seven during the November election.

The separatist movement was launched in 2018 by rural residents of southern Illinois wanting to say goodbye to Chicago, with its crime, homelessness and immigration problems.

Neighboring Indiana took notice and offered to expand its western border and absorb disaffected parts of Illinois.

Although Illinois separatists have the support of a dozen lawmakers, they have little support among elites in Chicago and Springfield, the state capital.

Republican lawmakers in Indiana have launched an effort to redraw the state’s borders and welcome counties from Democratic-led Illinois (Photo: Staunton, Illinois)

Southern Illinois residents want to say goodbye to Chicago, with its crime, homelessness and immigration problems

Southern Illinois residents want to say goodbye to Chicago, with its crime, homelessness and immigration problems

‘It’s a stunt. That’s not going to happen,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said, echoing his position last year.

“But I just want to say that Indiana is a low-wage state that doesn’t protect workers, a state that doesn’t provide health care to people in need, and so I don’t think it’s very attractive to anyone in Illinois. ‘

Republicans in Indianapolis introduced a bill to create a boundary commission to redraw the state’s borders and absorb disaffected parts of Illinois.

Indiana Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said, “Instead of seceding and creating a 51st state, they should just join us.”

Still, even with support from Indiana, that effort would have to win over Springfield and Washington, D.C. — still a long shot.

Pritzker has dismissed Indiana’s move as a “stunt” and advised its residents against joining a “low-wage state” with few worker protections and poor health care.

Indiana University Paul H. O’Neill professor Paul Helmke said the bill is primarily for political optics.

‘It is actually a useless measure. “Nothing like this has happened before in US history, and I think it’s unlikely to happen here,” Helmke said Chicago Tribune. “It’s an interesting idea, but it’s not going anywhere.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the bill a stunt

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the bill a stunt

Separatists have received support from voters for ballot initiatives in 33 of the 102 provinces

Separatists have received support from voters for ballot initiatives in 33 of the 102 provinces

Helmke said the U.S. Constitution requires the Indiana Legislature, the Illinois Legislature and then Congress to approve the measure.

“If this were to happen in Indiana, I would be shocked if Illinois appointed anyone to this committee,” Helmke said.

“It’s purely symbolic or performative on the part of the legislature in this state. It might go past here, but it won’t go anywhere in Illinois.”

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