A measure aimed at allowing Indiana to absorb 33 counties in Illinois that have voted in recent years to leave the state has cleared its first legislative hurdle, but the effort faces a major uphill battle.

"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,