(The Center Square) – With an Indiana bill ready for the governor’s desk to investigate absorbing Illinois counties, some wanting to split the Land of Lincoln into two say “thanks, but no thanks.”
Indiana legislators passed House Bill 1008 out of both chambers. That can now be sent to Gov. Mike Braun. The measure creates the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to look at welcoming more than two dozen Illinois counties into The Hoosier State.
In Bloomington, after a convention to create a new state by splitting Illinois into two, New Illinois Chairman G.H. Merritt reacted to the advancement of Indiana’s effort.
“They quoted me and said I was there to support the legislation,” Merritt said of being asked to testify at a hearing for Indiana’s bill. “No, I was there to say ‘thank you for noticing our plight over here’ and ‘but no, we don’t want to be part of Indiana.’”
New Illinois held its 7th convention this month where members discussed the proposed constitution for the prospective state. The group also discussed various financial issues such as the impact of pension debt on a new state, were one to be created.
Indiana’s state legislature preparing to send the measure to their governor could be adding to the momentum to redraw boundaries in the Midwest. Taking part in a conference for New Illinois, Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said Indiana making their moves gives potential for momentum to build in other directions.
“Is there an appetite of Illinoisans to say, ‘look, we, you know, in the southwest corner of the state, we’re quite OK to be part of Missouri,’” Halbrook said. “‘OK, we’re closer to Jefferson City than we are Springfield or Chicago or Indianapolis.’ Maybe that makes sense. Is there things that, you know, geographically, work that way, whatever the case may be.”
If Indiana’s governor signs the measure, the bill has six members from Indiana appointed to the commission by their governor. Five individuals would be from Illinois appointed under Illinois law. A quorum for the commission to conduct business is at least six.
The first meeting of the commission would be scheduled for no later than Sept. 1, 2025, and meet at least once each calendar year. A final report, when complete, would then be issued to the Indiana General Assembly. The legislation says commission recommendations to adjust boundaries between Indiana and Illinois does not take effect until approved by the General Assembly, the legislature of the state of Illinois and the Congress of the United States.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has called Indiana’s move a “stunt.” If Indiana’s governor signs the measure, Pritzker isn’t expected to appoint any Illinois members to Indiana’s commission.
