South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) is vehemently opposed to Illinois Amendment 1, calling it “a blatant power grab by special interest groups that are already too powerful.”

Illinois voters will be asked during the Nov. 8 election whether Amendment 1 should be part of the state constitution. Ballotpedia noted that the legislation would amend the Illinois Constitution to say that employees have a "fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work." It would also prohibit any law that "interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively," including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment.

Wilhour is among those opposed to the amendment because it would give teachers the ability to strike, increase property taxes and strengthen unions.

“Anyone that thinks the way forward in Illinois is to give special interest more power is crazy,” Wilhour told the South Central Reporter. “This does zero for private sector unions. It’s all about public unions.”

Wilhour also agrees with those who feel the amendment would give union leaders far too much power in negotiations.

“They’re already too powerful, running the state for the last generation,” he said. “This is another step in the wrong direction. Why would you give more power to corrupt people, self-dealers? Policies like these destroy everything.”

The broad strokes of the amendment will impact all forms of business in a state already riddled with teacher strikes.

“We’re one of the only states that allow strikes by teachers,” Wilhour said. “This just gives them the power to bargain over everything. It opens Pandora’s Box on collective bargaining and puts everything on the table.”

Illinois families will already see a $2,100 property tax increase per family over the next four years and even more if union bosses “exercise new powers,” an Illinois Policy report said. Opponents also fear that special interest causes could exacerbate corruption in Illinois.

“Cost of government is what’s driving property taxes and putting this amendment on the table means no reforms on these issues,” Wilhour said. “It gives the power to fat cats that have run the state into the ground.”

In each of the past three years, the Chicago Teachers Union has walked out on strike. The union also struck back in 2012 and 2019.