Rep. Jordan co-authors House priority bill to welcome Illinois counties that have voted to secede

Monday, February 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM

The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation co-authored by State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) to look at adjusting Indiana's border to welcome Illinois counties that have voted to secede from their state.

House Bill 1008, a House Republican priority bill, would establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to explore the advantages of redrawing state lines. Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have voted to secede from their state, including seven in the most recent November election.

"If those Illinois counties want to separate from their state, we think they should consider joining Indiana," Jordan said. "Indiana offers a great quality of life, and for those Illinois residents who feel like they are being ignored, we would happily welcome them to our state."

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, at least 100,000 residents have chosen to leave Illinois for Indiana since the pandemic. Multiple studies indicate that high taxes were the primary reason for Illinois residents fleeing the state.

In Indiana, the Republican-led General Assembly has cut taxes for Hoosiers yearly over the last decade, including cutting the income tax each of the next two years. Since the pandemic, Indiana's GDP has grown by 9.3 percent, more than any other Midwest state, and it is three and half times the rate of Illinois.

Indiana ranks 1st in the Midwest and 10th in the nation in the Tax Foundation's 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index and 1st in the Midwest and 6th in the nation in Chief Executive Magazine’s annual ‘Best & Worst States for Business’ survey.

For the commission to move forward, Illinois would need to pass a similar bill. House Bill 1500, authored by Rep. Brad Halbrook, has been filed in the Illinois General Assembly. Any state boundary adjustments would need to be approved by both state legislatures and Congress.

"To me, Indiana is home, and it's the best state to work, live, and raise a family," Jordan said. "Our door is open, and we would love to see even more Illinois residents choose to become Hoosiers."

House Bill 1008 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information or to watch live sessions and committee meetings, visit iga.in.gov.