UPDATE: Indiana Governor Mike Braun has just appointed five members to the newly established Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, a move that underscores escalating tensions between the two states. This commission, created under Indiana House Enrolled Act 1008, is set to meet for the first time on December 1, 2023, but it still lacks the quorum needed for voting.
The legislation, authored by House Speaker Todd Huston, aims to investigate potential boundary adjustments between Indiana and Illinois after 33 Illinois counties voted to secede since 2020, including seven counties just last November. Huston emphasized, “I look forward to continuing to tell Indiana’s story,” highlighting the urgency of Indiana’s appeal as a place for business and family growth.
Despite the appointments, the commission is one member short of the required quorum of six to make binding decisions. Braun’s spokesperson, Griffin Reid, confirmed that while the commission can still meet and discuss, no official actions can be taken until the missing member is appointed.
The appointed members are:
– Greg Newman, CPA from Posey County
– Former State Rep. Donald Lehe from White County
– Clay Andrews, Warren County Commissioner
– Jeff Papa, Chief of Staff for the Indiana State Senate
– Ray McCammon, Democratic Sullivan County Commissioner
Braun considered geographical proximity to the counties seeking to secede when selecting members, with three representatives coming from counties bordering Illinois. Notably, no members hail from Northwest Indiana, reflecting the absence of secessionist sentiment in that region.
The commission’s mandate is to evaluate whether adjustments to the state boundary are necessary. Within 60 days of completing its work, a report will be submitted to the Indiana General Assembly. “The governor will let the commission work diligently in studying the issue at hand,” Reid stated, emphasizing the importance of their recommendations.
However, the proposal has met resistance from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who dismissed it as a “stunt” during a January news conference, asserting that Indiana’s low wages and lack of worker protections make it unattractive to Illinois residents.
In response, Illinois State Representative Brad Halbrook has filed Illinois House Bill 1500, aiming for similar objectives as the Indiana bill. Halbrook praised Braun’s appointments, noting they bring valuable experience to the dialogue about governance in the region. He stressed the necessity of Illinois participation, stating, “Without Illinois participation, this commission remains one-sided and incomplete.”
As discussions unfold, Halbrook has called on Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch to push for the advancement of Illinois House Bill 1500 during the upcoming fall veto session. He warned that one state cannot unilaterally adopt the counties of another, indicating the constitutional complexities at play.
The future of the commission now hinges on whether Illinois will appoint its members and create a parallel commission. If not, the dialogue surrounding the boundary adjustments may remain incomplete, leaving significant questions regarding regional governance unresolved.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The implications of these boundary discussions could reshape the governance landscape for residents on both sides of the border.
