East Central Reporter

Blaine Wilhour, a representative for Illinois State House District 110, has expressed concerns regarding the need to strengthen House ethics to restore public trust in government. He claimed that when Republicans introduced such measures, Democrats "refused to move any of them." This statement was made in a Facebook post on March 24.

"We can restore public faith in government and root out corruption in Illinois by strengthening our ethics laws," said Wilhour, State Representative, according to Facebook. "House Republicans introduced a number of anti-corruption measures this session (including two of my bills) and the supermajority Democrats refused to move any of them."

According to Wilhour's Facebook post, he directed readers to a March 21 report from WAND News where Republican lawmakers voiced their frustration with Democrats in the House for not advancing any anti-corruption bills for committee votes. Without an extension of the deadline for committee discussions, all of the House Republicans' ethics proposals are set to return to the House Rules Committee. Following the conviction of former state House Speaker Michael Madigan in February, Republican state representatives and advocacy groups have been advocating for ethics reform. This includes empowering the Legislative Inspector General, modifying lobbying regulations, and enforcing conflict of interest rules.

Screenshot of State Rep. Blaine Wilhour's March 24 Facebook post | State Representative Blaine Wilhour's Facebook page

The first bill in Wilhour’s ethics reform package is House Bill 3115, which aims to restrict lobbying by members of the General Assembly. The bill would prohibit lawmakers from registering as lobbyists or interacting with members of the General Assembly within three years after leaving office. If passed beyond the Rules Committee, it would take effect immediately upon passage. Wilhour filed this bill on February 6, and it had its first reading on February 18 before being referred to the Rules Committee. Representatives David Friess and Dave Severin joined as co-sponsors on March 20; however, the bill did not advance from the Rules Committee.

The second bill sponsored by Wilhour in this package seeks to prevent legislators and government employees from participating in representation cases where state or local government is an adverse party or where outcomes could negatively impact state or local revenue. The bill intends to stop legislators and government employees from profiting as experts against state or local government interests. Filed on February 6, it had its first reading on February 18 and was then referred to the Rules Committee. On March 4, it was assigned to the Ethics and Elections Committee but was re-referred back to the Rules Committee on March 21. Representatives Dave Severin and David Friess also signed on as co-sponsors.

Rep. Blaine Wilhour has served Illinois' 110th District since 2019. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1999 to 2005 and deployed to Europe in 2002 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom according to his official biography. His political experience includes a term on the Fayette County Board. Besides his legislative duties, he is a managing partner at his family’s post-frame construction company located in Effingham County.