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Indiana legislation to study the absorption of secessionist Illinois counties heads to Gov. Mike Braun after a successful concurrence vote Thursday, along with measures to examine “noncompliant” prosecutors and expand local funding options for transportation infrastructure.
“I think it’s been a great opportunity to talk about all the great things going on in Indiana, and to say … we’d love to have that conversation,” Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, told reporters.
His House Enrolled Act 1008 would create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission tasked with exploring the absorption of Prairie State counties that have already voted to secede. Since 2020, 33 counties have passed such “advisory referenda,” with seven of those votes occurring in the most recent general election.
Originally, Illinois would’ve had to appoint members for the commission to convene. Now, it must meet by September — with or without Prairie State representation.
“That’s their choice whether they want to participate or not,” Huston said, shortly after the 64-23 concurrence vote.
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne criticized the measure as a “publicity ploy,” and argued the secessionist counties would sink Indiana finances instead of contributing revenue.
Local prosecutors, roads
A proposal punishing public prosecutors who “categorically refuse to prosecute” criminal laws also crossed the finish line Thursday, on a 60-20 concurrence vote in the House.
House Enrolled Act 1006 initially would’ve also boosted the number of qualified special prosecutors available for appointment and offered partial reimbursement for prosecutors, defenders and more.
But those came with price tags, so the Senate stripped them out.
Now, it mainly creates a prosecutor review board that will scrutinize prosecutors and issue reports to the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council on those labeled “noncompliant.” But it no longer requires that funding be withheld.
And a complex transportation funding measure avoided negotiations — contrary to Senate expectations — when it earned a 69-19 concurrence vote in the House.
House Bill 1461 would change up the popular Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, raise the speed limit on Interstate 465, let communities tap into excess township funds and ease barriers to tolling, among numerous other provisions.
Opponents largely cited the tolling provisions as problematic, complaining about the impact to residents and local streets.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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