You read here earlier that some counties in Illinois, tired of the state’s radical governor and legislature, are attempting to secede and join Indiana. It’s the ultimate “escape state” gambit, bringing your entire county with you. Politicians in Indiana want the secessionary counties in Illinois to know, “We’d love to have you.” The Wall Street Journal’s editors explain that Indiana legislators have passed a bill to start discussions on the topic. They write:
The plan to give beleaguered Illinois taxpayers an escape route from their confiscatory state has moved a little closer to reality. On Thursday the Indiana state House voted 69-25 to pass a bill that would start discussions to let some Illinois counties secede and join Indiana.
The bill, sponsored by Republican House Speaker Todd Huston, would establish the Indiana half of the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to discuss letting some Illinois counties make a new home in the Hoosier state. Illinois needs to approve its own bill to join the commission.
“Hey, we’d love to have you,” Mr. Huston told Illinois counties, “Because you know what? We always think it’s better to be growing.” If Illinois residents are struggling with the state’s 4.95% income-tax rate and 9.5% corporate income-tax rate, Indiana would like to “raise our hand,” Mr. Huston added, “to say we think we have a heck of a lot to offer.”
That will please downstate residents who know their red counties are an afterthought for Springfield, which mostly worries about how to pay off public unions and gerrymander district lines to reduce their relevance in elections. Progressive Chicago gets what it wants from the state capital, but red counties are stuck paying for the disaster of the state’s lousy schools, crime and underfunded pensions.
Action Line: No wonder downstate Illinoisans want to leave. You can see on Your Survival Guy’s 2025 Super States ranking just how far apart Indiana and Illinois are. If secession happens, the escapees will enjoy a massive upgrade. Email me your stories of escape to a better America at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com. Then, click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
