Indiana Advances Plan to Absorb Disaffected Illinois Counties

The Indiana House has approved a proposal for a Boundary Adjustment Commission to explore the possibility of integrating several Illinois counties, which have expressed a desire to separate from Chicago and Cook County. House Bill 1008, sponsored by House Speaker Todd Huston, follows nonbinding referendums where 33 Illinois counties voted in favor of leaving the state. However, this process would require approval from both state legislatures and Congress, making it a complex endeavor. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker dismissed the proposal as a 'stunt,' while some grassroots groups in Illinois are supportive of the idea. Critics, including political experts, argue that the proposal lacks feasibility due to the constitutional hurdles involved. Despite the enthusiasm from some Indiana lawmakers, the actualization of such a boundary adjustment seems unlikely.