Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted of bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud charges on Wednesday, but acquitted of several others, following a four-month trial accusing him of running a yearslong criminal enterprise to enrich himself and his political allies.

"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.

A bill to redraw the Indiana-Illinois border received initial approval Monday in an Indiana House committee, but some Illinois supporters prefer to establish a new state.

An Indiana House committee has approved House Bill 1008, sponsored by Speaker Todd Huston, to establish an Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission, which would be tasked with researching the possibility of redrawing the states' boundaries.

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.

An Indiana House committee has advanced a bill that would adopt several Illinois counties that indicated they wanted to secede from the state. House Bill 1008 passed the Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform on Monday.

Dozens of Illinois counties have voiced their desire to separate from Chicago. An Indiana house bill would explore how to make that happen.