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.

A bill introduced in the Indiana legislature by its Republican House speaker would create a commission to embrace 33 Illinois counties that have voted for a symbolic measure to leave Illinois and create a new state.

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.