Boundary commission created to potentially add Illinois counties to Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – We have new information on a push to expand the Indiana-Illinois state boundaries.

A Boundary Commission was created to explore adding some Illinois counties to the Hoosier state.

Officials say there’s 102 counties in Illinois and 70 of them are going through the state split movement.

As we’ve reported, Edwards, Wabash, White, and Wayne counties have all expressed interest in leaving the state.

Several Illinois residents spoke at today’s meeting saying this is beneficial for both states saying it could make Indiana a “powerhouse state.”

“Our biggest grievance is that we’re not represented. We don’t have government of the people, by the people, for the people. the governor accuses of wanting to kick Chicago out of Illinois. That is not so,” says G.H. Merritt, chair-person of “New Illinois.” “We want to kick ourselves out of Illinois. We do very much appreciate that Indiana sees us and empathizes with our experience.“

Illinois hasn’t appointed anyone to join the commission yet, but it already consists of 6 appointed Indiana members.

The group is required to meet once a year.

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