INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House Republican Caucus announced its intent on Tuesday to redraw state lines and welcome dozens of Illinois counties that want to secede from their state.

”To all of our neighbors to the west, we hear your frustrations,” Indiana Speaker Todd Huston said.

According to Speaker Huston, more than 30 Illinois counties have voted to secede from the Prairie State since 2020, with many expressing frustrations with high taxes.

”Instead of seceding and creating a 51st state, they should just join us,” Speaker Huston said.

If HB 1008 passes, the Indiana General Assembly would create an “Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission” tasked with helping those Illinois counties become part of the Hoosier State.

”That is a process that follows a Constitutional process for redrawing state boundaries,” Speaker Huston said. ”We think there might be some interest in the Illinois Legislature to do that.”

However, in order for HB 1008 to work, the Illinois General Assembly would also need to pass a similar resolution.

”It could make us a laughingstock,” State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) said.

According to Rep. DeLaney, the bill does have a chance of passing if it reaches the House floor, but he emphasized that the bill distracts from larger issues such as high property taxes and low wages.

”If we need more rural counties, how are we doing for the, what, 60-70 rural counties we already have where they’re losing hospitals, where their schools are shrinking?” Rep. Delaney asked. “So no, this is not a serious proposal.”

The bill now makes its way to the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee, where it will receive its first hearing next Tuesday.