News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee has voted 11-1 in favor of HB 1008, which would create a commission exploring how the state could “embrace” seceded Illinois counties.

Todd Huston

The proposed Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission would consist of ten members, five appointed by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and five appointed by Illinois. The bill, written by House Speaker Todd Huston, comes after 33 rural counties in Illinois voted in non-binding ballots to secede.

According to data collected by conservative think tank Illinois Policy Institute, more than 83,000 people moved from Illinois to another state in 2022 and 2023, making it the state with third highest population decline.

In Illinois, the state’s General Assembly faces a similar decision. Illinois HB 1500 would create a provision to cooperate with the proposed commission, and supply the state’s five appointed members. Indiana and Illinois will need their respective bills passed for discussions to continue.

If both bills were approved, the U.S. Congress and Illinois General Assembly would need to sign off on any state boundary shifts.