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.

At a time when the GOP-dominated Indiana General Assembly is considering the decriminalization of cannabis, Republican lawmakers are seeking to reign in local prosecutors like Ryan Mears in Marion County who have announced they are not going to pursue minor crimes like marijuana possession.

To all of our neighbors in the West, we hear your frustrations and invite you to join us in low-cost, low-tax Indiana,” Indiana's House Speaker, Rep. Todd Huston (R) said. "Instead of seceding and creating a 51st state,