South Central Reporter

A “cynical” attempt to retain Democratic control of the legislature is behind the false claims targeting some Republicans, according to a recent press conference titled “Exposing the Mechanics of the Chicago Machine.”

“Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is not the longest serving Speaker of the House in the nation by accident,” Republican Blaine Wilhour, a District 107 state House candidate, told the South Central Reporter. “He is all in when it comes to winning elections. Madigan and the House Democrats are hoping voters will not do their homework and learn the truth. Sadly, it is a gamble that usually ends up in Madigan's favor.”

The Sept. 19 press conference in Chicago featured Wilhour, Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger, several state representatives, and a handful of other Republican House candidates.

David Seiler, 107th District state House candidate

During the press conference, discussion focused on the “No Budget, No Pay” legislation State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) proposed back in 2015. Although Madigan scuttled the bill in the House, the idea became an issue Democrat Susanna Mendoza used to defeat then-Comptroller Leslie Munger. Now deputy governor, Munger had tried to block legislative pay during the 2017 budget crisis.

Wilhour noted the apparent flip-flop is nothing new, pointing out Madigan occasionally allows legislation contrary to his Party’s policy to pass in the House, expecting the state Senate to block it.

“It’s all for show,” Wilhour told the South Central Reporter. “These people are not interested in real solutions – they are only interested in preserving their power. We need to send real reformers to Springfield in both the House and Senate that are actually ready to tackle tough issues.”

On the campaign trail, Wilhour said he was busy emphasizing reforms for pensions, workers compensation, business regulations and taxes.

“I want to deal with the underlying structural problems that are stifling economic growth,” he said. “Illinois has the highest combination of state and local taxes in the country. The last thing we need is higher taxes.”

Wilhour suggested Democrats were smearing their opponents to deflect attention from their weak records.

“If your only message is to raise taxes in a state that already has the highest combination of state and local taxes, then you have to do something to take the focus off the issues,” he said. “We have already tried raising taxes in Illinois and our state now has the worst credit rating of all 50 states, a $250 billion pension debt, and we led the nation in out-migration last year. If raising taxes were so wonderful, why does our state still have so many problems?”

Wilhour will face Democrat David Seiler and Libertarian Thadeus Freed on Nov. 6. The 107th Illinois House District includes the communities of Altamont, Centralia, Effingham, Greenville, Kinmundy, Salem, St. Elmo, Vandalia and Wamac.