Indiana Wants The Illinois Counties That Voted To Secede

Ah a Midwestern welcome.

Back in November, 33 Illinois counties voted to secede from the state. Now, there's talk of merging them with neighboring Indiana.

So here's the visual from Indiana station WTHR. The Illinois counties that voted to secede are in purple:

Now, Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has suggested that the Illinois counties wishing to secede join Indiana, instead of creating another state.

Illinois was actually part of Indiana, from 1800-1809 before becoming it's own state. It wouldn't be hard to see the new state lines, since most of the secession-favor counties are near the Indiana border anyway.

Huston thinks Indiana can offer Illinois counties lower taxes, fewer regulations, and strong economic growth. He said:

We just think this is a great opportunity for people that are interested in Illinois that want to secede, but we say, ‘join us.’ Low taxes, low regulatory environment, a ton of economic development already taking place. We're kinda raising our hand to say 'hey don't start a 51st state, we'd love to have you in Indiana.

Over 100,000 Illinois residents have moved to Indiana since 2021.

It might sound extreme but readjusting state lines isn't a new thing. And this isn't the only such proposal this legislative term either. Iowa might absorb the bottom 9 counties of Minnesota.

Read More: Iowa Senator Proposes Bill To Buy 9 Minnesota Counties

Similar to that move, there would be federal-level approvals needed.

Both Indiana and Illinois would have to okay the secession, a commission would have to get together to iron out the logistics of exact state lines, the states would have to sign off on the commission's report, and Congress would have to okay it all.