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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowLegislation to study the absorption of secessionist Illinois counties heads to the Indiana Senate’s floor after a 7-2 committee vote Wednesday. Companion legislation in the Prairie State is already dead, however.
“I’ll just say this: things are better in Indiana then they are in Illinois,” said Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville. “It’s no surprise” people want to move.
“We want to open the doors if they want to come here,” Baldwin added. He is sponsoring House Bill 1008—a priority for the House GOP—on its Senate journey.
The proposal would create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission tasked with exploring the secession and transfer of counties that have already voted to leave the state of Illinois. Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have passed “advisory referenda” to leave the state — seven of those votes occurred in the most recent general election.
As he clicked through a series of slides, Baldwin said Illinois residents like Indiana’s lower taxes, balanced budget, “great” road funding system, job opportunities and political representation.
“Many residents feel Chicago’s policies do not align with their values,” he added. “The Indiana General Assembly prides itself on being a body that serves its constituents.”
Indiana stands to gain, according to Baldwin. He listed increased tax revenue, strengthened sports culture, political “alignment,” and reduced Chicago influence.
Democrats—who later voted “no”—were skeptical.
Sen. LaKeisha Jackson, D-Indianapolis, cited an analysis from prominent conservative economist Michael Hicks, who directs the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University.
He found that the secessionist counties would be equivalent to the nation’s second-poorest state. Adding them to Indiana would drop the state’s per capita income.
Baldwin said they’re doing poorly “in their current fiscal arrangement.”
One pro-secession witness said the counties are “held back by Illinois regulation and tax rates.”
But a border shakeup is unlikely.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker previously called Indiana’s legislation “a stunt” that is “not going to happen.” He’d need to bless the move, but companion legislation is already dead. Congress would also need to approve.
Committee leader Sen. Ron Alting said a second witness had signed up as Pritzker himself.
“Is he here?” asked Alting, R-Lafayette, to laughter.
HB 1008 was edited to add more commission members and require a first meeting by September. It heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.
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“‘great’ road funding system“
Baldwin should be immediately removed from office for that remark alone.
Indiana has the worst roads in the Midwest.
Exactly! Someone has been lying to the folks in Illinois.
On reflection, you’re on to something Corey.
These parts of Illinois would love a system in which they’re welfare recipients of road dollars. Because they would contribute very little, and even more would be taken from places like Indianapolis.
Everyone involved should be charged for improper use of our tax dollars. What a massive joke!
Follows the Lt. Governor who is telling everyone else to cut spending while he increases his. He cut a $150 subscription to off-set the cost of a new $88,000 vehicle. Yep, I like that math 🙂
I almost laughed out loud at this “The Indiana General Assembly prides itself on being a body that serves its constituents.” What a joke!
Maybe they can pass a law that requires them to read Professor Hicks before they start any new piece of legislation. The Indiana legislature, as currently composed, represents some group of taxpayers and citizens, but most certainly not those of Marion County or the surrounding counties, nor the cities of Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Richmond, Jeffersonville, Evansville, etc. The roads in Central Indiana are in horrible shape, and there is much infrastructure to build and rebuild. Like, perhaps we could have sidewalks along Shadeland from 71st to 82nd? And I’m sure there are a lot of roads needing replacement.
Yeah, let’s bring on 30 some counties in Illinois that don’t pay their own way.