Indiana House speaker proposes annexing Illinois counties
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
One of Indiana's most influential elected officials wants to take the practice of trying to lure residents from neighboring states a step further by annexing entire counties.
Why it matters: Republican House Speaker Todd Huston's bill to create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to "embrace neighboring counties that want to join low-tax, low-cost Indiana" is one of the supermajority's priority bills for the legislative session, meaning it has a good chance of passing.
- The commission would have five representatives from each state, with Indiana's members appointed by the governor.
State of play: Chicagoland Democrats and downstate Illinois Republicans have fought over splitting the state for years.
- Most Illinois counties vote Republican, but the vast majority of the state's population lives in the Chicago area — which votes overwhelmingly Democratic — and the population imbalance means that the northern area of the state has more seats in the Illinois General Assembly and pushes the state blue in presidential elections.
The latest: A movement to split the state in two, creating a "new" Illinois, has gained momentum.
- In November, seven counties passed nonbinding referendums calling for the split, pushing the number of those supporting secession since 2020 to 33 of the state's 102 counties.
What he's saying: "In that same period of time, over 100,000 Illinois residents have chosen to leave Illinois and come to Indiana for a whole host of reasons, including that we're the best state in the Midwest to do business, our No. 1 tax climate, and many, many other things," Huston said during a press conference Tuesday.
- "We're excited about offering an opportunity for these fine folks to join our state … and we think, instead of seceding and creating a 51st state, they should just join us where we match their priorities, their interests."
Between the lines: While the Illinois movement has generally centered on creating a new state, Huston sees an opportunity to expand Indiana's borders — or at least take a shot at its Democratic-controlled neighbor.
- "To our neighbors to the west, we hear your frustration and invite you to join us in low-cost, low-tax Indiana," he said.
The intrigue: Huston hadn't been the lead author on a bill since he was elected House speaker in March 2020 and this is the only one he's filing this year.
Reality check: For such a split to happen, the Democratic majority in the Illinois state legislature would have to pass a similar resolution, and then it would need federal approval from Congress.
- The Illinois General Assembly returns later this month, but Gov. JB Pritzker said last year that such a split shouldn't even be discussed.
Yes, but: Huston insists the bill is more than just messaging. He told reporters it was a serious offer that he expects to be met with interest by his counterparts in the Illinois legislature.
The other side: Indiana Democrats criticized House Republicans for "playing political games."
- "Instead of passing universal pre-K or ending waiting lists for health care, Indiana Republicans want to meddle in the internal affairs of our neighbors," said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl in a statement.
- "This commission proposal is just a distraction from the handouts to the wealthy and the cutting of health care coverage for working Hoosier families that Republicans plan to pass this session."
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from the Indiana Democratic Party.