Sen. Scott Baldwin presents on Illinois secession legislation in committee on Wednesday, April 2. Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle.

By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation to study the absorption of secessionist Illinois counties heads to the Indiana Senate’s floor after a 7-2 committee vote Wednesday, April 2. 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.”

Sen. Scott Baldwin presents on Illinois secession legislation in committee on Wednesday, April 2. Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle.

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.

House Bill 1008 was edited to add more commission members and require a first meeting by September. It heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.