"The colonial battlecry, 'no taxation without representation,' is our reality," said G. H. Merritt, chair of the nonprofit New Illinois, a group whose primary goal is forming an entirely new state. "We thank the leadership of Indiana for recognizing our pain.

Indiana lawmakers have advanced legislation that would have the state swallow up some Illinois counties. It would take action by legislatures in both states to make this happen as well as the United States Congress.

Indiana to redraw its border with Illinois advances A bill to redraw the Indiana-Illinois border received initial approval Monday in an Indiana House committee. The measure, authored by Speaker Todd Huston,

An Indiana House committee has advanced a bill that would adopt several Illinois counties that indicated they wanted to secede from the state. House Bill 1008 passed the Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform on Monday.

Dozens of Illinois counties have voiced their desire to separate from Chicago. An Indiana house bill would explore how to make that happen.