Imagine Indiana and Illinois using the strengths of their economies to help both states grow, even as they compete.

Consider the potential to improve the quality of life for Illinoisans and Hoosiers if the two neighbors collaborated on ways to upgrade school buildings, lessen crime, revitalize small towns and clean the waters of the Wabash River.

Instead, elected Hoosier state officeholders are pushing a proposal that amounts to a first step toward Indiana annexing Illinois counties frustrated with their state government. Such a process would take many years to complete and require approval by the legislatures of both states and the U.S. Congress.

It is beyond a longshot.

But that is not the point for the Indiana lawmakers driving House Bill 1008.

It is about political point scoring. Red state vs. Blue state fodder. The bill allows Indiana’s elected leaders to ratchet up their long-running derision of their “neighbors to the west” — a fixation based on Illinois’ government being dominated by Democrats. Indiana’s government, of course, is dominated by Republicans.

So, Illinois’ 21st-century struggles with its state budget, progressive policies and corruption scandals — which, by the way, have involved politicians from both parties — make the Land of Lincoln a handy punching bag for Indiana conservatives. Hoosier leaders even one-upped Illinois by including the slogan “Lincoln’s Boyhood Home” on Welcome-to-Indiana border signs. It is true. Honest Abe lived in Indiana from age 7 to 21.

Neener neener, Illinois.

HB 1008 would establish a bistate commission “to discuss and recommend whether it is advisable to adjust the boundaries between the two states.” After 33 Illinois counties — including Clark, Edgar and Crawford — in the more conservative downstate region voted in favor of nonbinding resolutions to separate from the Chicago-dominated, progressive northern sector in recent years, opportunistic Indiana lawmakers saw an opening: Why not offer to annex those dissatisfied Illinois counties?

The bill’s Republican author, Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, told the Indianapolis Star, “To all of our neighbors to the west, we hear your frustrations and invite you to join us in low-cost, low-tax Indiana.” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, responded by calling the legislation a “stunt” and labeled Indiana “a low-wage state that doesn’t protect workers” and “does not provide healthcare for people when they’re in need.”

On Thursday, the Indiana House approved the bill 69-25.

This whole gesture will only waste valuable time and resources, and will accomplish little more than grandstanding for the home teams.

Why not roll up the sleeves and work together on common problems?

An Indiana Democratic lawmaker from Lake County, which borders Chicago, flipped her Hoosier colleagues’ strategy. Rep. Ragen Hatcher of Gary pointed out that a majority of voters from her region feel overlooked and unrepresented by the more conservative Republican Party-ruled Legislature in Indianapolis.

Just like the disgruntled rural Illinois counties feel toward their Democratic state leadership.

“We have little say on critical issues like the state budget or education policy,” Hatcher said Thursday, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported. “I urge this body to listen — not just to those from another state who are seeking a place in Indiana — but also to the voices of the communities that are already here. Let’s give the same attention and consideration to the concerns of Indiana’s own underrepresented regions as we do to those from outside our borders.”

Indeed, the power parties in Indiana and Illinois should both expend more effort to serve all of their state’s residents, not just those who are like-minded.

That is a problem worthy of a special commission.