South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) is telling those standing against machine politics in Illinois in light of sweeping gun control and other Democrat moves to hold tight. 

He noted that encouragement is also important to let Illinoisans know about what's going on in Illinois and that there are people fighting for the state and the people's rights.

“I think that's so important, what you said about, standing firm and being the wind of change,” Wilhour told the Illinois Freedom Caucus. “You know, oftentimes it can get frustrating in that in a state like Illinois. But it is important to note to people out there that, you know, political viability is something that comes and goes.” 

“The numbers may not be in our favor today in the state of Illinois, but we often say that the law and the truth and the facts are on our side. So it's just so important that we keep out there, keep pushing, keep advocating, because a day will come when these policies and this culture catches up with these folks. And we've got to be prepared for that day. And that's what we're all about.” Wilhour’s comments came in response to comments from guest speaker Rick Green, a Texas radio host and former state representative. 

“This is going to take a lot of hard work. It's going to get more ugly before it gets better,” Green told the group. “You know, I'm an optimist, but I'm also a realist and a student of history. And you cannot pour that cultural Marxism in for that many years and not have a really, really negative result. But as I said, the good news is we can shift that. We can turn that, but that's going to take a long time. And so for guys like me, like you that are in the legislature fighting this battle on a daily basis and most of the time outnumbered in your particular legislature, I just say thank you.” 

Wilhour is a member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus along with GOP State Representatives. Chris Miller, Brad Halbrook, Dan Caulkins, and Adam Niemerg. It is part of the broader State Freedom Caucus Network. “We need patriots who will serve in our state capitals to fight federal overreach and stand firm against those — in both parties — who prioritize seizing political power over representing constituents,” the group’s website reads.

The group stood against the SAFE-T Act, which Prairie State Wire reported that the group celebrated when the act was turned over in part due to the cashless bail portion of the criminal justice overhaul. That law was opposed by 100 of 102 state’s attorneys in Illinois.

The Illinois Freedom Caucus also praised the 20 GOP holdouts who demanded concessions in order to vote for U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Miller’s wife – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) – is the only member of the Illinois GOP delegation who voted against McCarthy, according to East Central Reporter.