freedomrankings.comState vs State
On the default equal-weight blend, Indiana is more free than Illinois overall, scoring 64 to 50 out of 100 and winning 7 of the ten freedom categories outright. The widest gap is in Drug Policy, where Illinois leads by 6.5 points.
The sharpest contrast is Drug Policy, where Illinois leads 9.5 to 3.0 out of 10 — a 6.5-point gap. They also part ways on Regulatory Burden (Indiana +6.3) and Economic Freedom (Indiana +6.2). Where they’re most alike is 4th Amendment (4.5 vs 5.0).
Bottom line: Illinois’s strongest case is Drug Policy (9.5/10), while Indiana’s is Economic Freedom (8.2/10) — so the freer choice depends on which of those you weight most.
Illinois leads in 3 categories · Indiana leads in 7 · 0 tied
Indiana ranks higher overall, scoring 64/100 versus 50/100 across the ten freedom categories. Indiana wins 7 of the ten categories outright. Which state is "freer" for you depends on which of those freedoms you weight most.
Indiana scores higher on economic freedom (8.2/10 vs 2.0/10), the category that folds in tax burden, regulation, and business climate.
Indiana scores higher on Second Amendment freedom (7.1/10 vs 1.8/10), reflecting carry laws, permitting, and firearm restrictions.
Indiana scores higher on education choice (7.9/10 vs 6.0/10), covering vouchers, ESAs, charters, and homeschool freedom.