South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus recently visited the Israeli Consulate in Chicago to hold a private gathering with the families of victims from the Oct. 7 attack in Israel. 

The visit aimed to show solidarity and support for those affected by this tragic event.

Yesterday, members of our caucus visited the Israeli Consulate in Chicago for a private gathering with the family members of hostages and victims of the October 7 attack in Israel,” Wilhour said on Facebook. “The families bravely shared stories of their loved ones kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and expressed their grief and pain as they await any news of their relatives. Let us all pray for the safe return of those still being held hostage by Hamas.”

“We must continue to stand with the people of Israel as they defend themselves from these heinous attacks. Our heartfelt thanks to the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, our fellow legislators, and especially to the families who shared their loved ones' stories with us. We will not give up hope as we pray for their safe return home.”

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has urged Biden's administration to classify approximately 500 Americans residing in Gaza as hostages under federal law, as it is believed that Hamas is preventing them from leaving Gaza against their will. Various national security and immigration experts also agree with this view, supporting that these Americans in Gaza are effectively hostages under U.S. law.

The U.S. military has utilized unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drones above Gaza with an objective to locate over 240 people taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7 attack in Israel. These drone flights are part of larger efforts dedicated to aiding Israel in recovering its hostages - equipped with high-resolution video and infrared cameras alongside other signal intelligence sensors. For operational security reasons, sources have chosen not to disclose where these drone flights originated from.

Wilhour is part of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, which includes State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), Chris Miller (R-Oakland), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Jed Davis (R-Newark), David Friess (R-Red Bud), and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur).