Prairie State Wire

Blaine Wilhour, the state representative for Illinois House District 107, said that his legislative priorities include restoring public safety, expanding parental control in education, and reviving the state's economy by reducing taxes and regulations.

"We want to return to reasonable," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, State Representative from Illinois. "We want to put parents in charge of education. We need to bring industry back to the state."

Illinois has seen heated debate in recent years over criminal justice reform, education funding, and economic regulation. In 2023, the state enacted the SAFE-T Act, becoming the first in the U.S. to eliminate cash bail—a move praised by reform advocates but criticized by opponents concerned about public safety. At the same time, Illinois residents face one of the highest combined state and local tax burdens in the country. According to the Illinois Policy Institute and the St. Louis Federal Reserve, this has prompted ongoing discussions about regulatory reform and fiscal policy.

In 2024, Illinois—particularly Chicago—saw a marked rise in violent crime, with 28,443 violent incidents reported in the city, marking a two-decade high. The Illinois Policy Institute reports that aggravated assaults were the most common offense, raising concerns about recent criminal justice reforms such as ending cash bail. This trend has fueled criticism from those questioning the state's approach to law enforcement and public safety.

Illinois ranks among states with the highest tax burdens; residents pay an average of $13,100 annually—about $4,500 more than the national average. The Tax Foundation and Illinois Policy Institute attribute this to factors including a flat 4.95% income tax rate, a 9.5% corporate tax rate, and high property taxes. These conditions have led to calls for structural tax reform to improve economic competitiveness.

Wilhour is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 110th District since 2019. According to the Illinois General Assembly, he is a farmer and business owner from Altamont and a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard. He promotes fiscal conservatism, transparency, and limited government and has been outspoken against tax increases and expansive state spending.