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“We’re just signaling to those Illinois counties that Indiana is
open for business and we’d be happy to accept them,” said the
bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville. He
added that the economies of the counties would grow under
Indiana’s low regulation, low-tax business environment.
Thirty-three counties have passed an advisory referendum
indicating their desire to leave Illinois, with seven voting in
the most recent November election. No county, most of which are
located in rural areas of central and southern Illinois, has
voted down a secession referendum, with the election results
averaging 74% in favor.
"Essentially, were Illinois and Indiana to redraw their border,
the matter of Illinois secession of counties would be of minor
national impact,” said Ryan McMaken, executive director of the
Mises Institute and author of the book "Breaking Away: The Case
of Secession, Radical Decentralization and Smaller Politics.”
An analysis by RedStateSecession.org shows that certain groups
of counties would be a financial benefit to Indiana, such as the
eastern half of central Illinois with 1.1 million people,
because they have a higher average income than Indiana does.
The group notes that although Illinois officials have dismissed
the idea, a debt crisis could force Illinois to reconsider the
option, as relocating state lines could provide an influx of
cash to state coffers.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is skeptical about the prospect of
any county leaving the state.
“It’s a stunt and it’s not going to happen, but I’ll just say
that Indiana is a low-wage state that doesn’t protect workers,
does not provide health care for people when they’re in need,”
said Pritzker.
The Indiana House will now consider changes in the legislation
before it is sent to the governor. |
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