Starting in 2020, non-binding referendums to secede from Illinois and create a new state have passed in 33 counties. Now, a high-ranking Republican in Indiana wants those counties to join Indiana instead of making a 51st state.

Republicans in the Indiana statehouse have proposed legislation that would redraw the state border with Illinois and annex some southern counties to the Hoosier State. According to Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston,

Indiana's legislature upped a long-standing rivalry with Illinois by introducing a bill to steal disgruntled counties. Why it matters: Indiana Republicans are seizing on the discord between Cook County and the state's rural counties,

Some Indiana lawmakers have taken steps to absorb the Illinois counties that have voted to leave the state. Last election, seven Illinois counties joined more than 20 others to greenlight a proposal to explore splitting from the state.