South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) dubbed Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 11 as a “special-interest boondoggle.”

He urged lawmakers to stand up for the workers in the state and vote no on the legislation.

“I’ll fight for the economic opportunities and economic empowerment of working folks all day long, but this isn't it,” Wilhour argued. "I’ll put my working-class, working person bona fides against anybody in here. I literally climbed off of a pole barn into the general assembly. I represent a working-class district. I support unions and non-union. But, let’s recognize unions don't create jobs. Special-interest pandering may create campaign donations, but it doesn't create jobs and it perpetuates an environment that we have right now — where too many working families don't have real opportunities for success and for upward mobility in this state.” 

Wilhour said the legislation would shoo away investors. 

“This legislation is unnecessary,” Wilhour said. “It gives job creators more reasons to not invest in job creation in Illinois…without investment, there is no economic opportunity, there's no new union jobs being created. Economic empowerment is impossible especially in poor communities that have disproportionately shouldered the burdens of generations of poor public policy coming out of this general assembly. Constitutionally codifying the economic interest, the political interest, the political agenda of a special-interest group is totally inappropriate but unfortunately, it's also very Illinois.” 

Wilhour said that the state can succeed if opportunities are created for Illinoisans.

“If we set the special interests aside and really prioritized opportunity and quality of life for the people of Illinois, we could build an economic giant here in this state,” he said. “We have everything that we need. A strong economy with real long-term viability that has respect for the balance of power between labor and job creators is an environment that attracts investment. Right now, this dynamic is way out of balance. This permanent power grab pushes that balance off the cliff forever. To think that job creators are going to look favorably on this kind of environment shows a lack of critical thought about what is and is not a smart investment.” 

SJRCA0011 “provides that no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and work place safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment.”

It passed both houses.

Wilhour was born and raised in Altamont, Illinois on the family farm where they raised hogs. He and his wife are active partners on the family farm and they are corn and soy bean farmers in Fayette, Effingham, and Shelby Counties.