East Central Reporter

Blaine Wilhour, representative for Illinois' 110th House District, expressed concerns regarding a proposed service tax by Democrats. He said that the tax would increase the cost of everyday services and place a burden on working-class families.

"Democrats' proposed service tax will hit working-class Illinoisans hard and increase the costs of everyday services across the state," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, State Representative for 110th District (R), according to Facebook. "We already pay the highest tax rates in the nation. It's time for Dems to stop the cash grab and provide real relief to Illinois residents."

According to Wilhour's Facebook post, he encouraged his constituents to visit a website from Americans for Prosperity that outlines Illinois' tax burdens. The site details a combined state and local tax burden of 16.51% and highlights more than 80 proposed service tax increases. Among these changes is a 6.25% statewide sales tax on services such as aircraft leases and rentals longer than 60 days, armored car services, golf and country club dues, and commercial recreation fees. Additional services affected would include barber and beauty shop services; landscaping, lawn care, tree trimming and removal; mini storage; furniture repair and cleaning; farm implement repairs; dry cleaning, pressing, dyeing and laundering; and household appliance, TV and radio repair.

Screenshot of State Representative Blaine WIlhour's May 28 Facebook post | State Representative Blaine Wilhour's Facebook page

An Illinois Policy report examined the proposed expansion of the statewide sales tax to include personal services and other areas. This expansion aims to increase government revenue and support Chicago’s transit systems. The report notes that while the tax would apply across the state, not just in Chicago, Democrats are pushing to pass it before the General Assembly adjourns on May 31. The measure is estimated to generate nearly $2 billion for the state, $50 million for counties, nearly $400 million for city governments, and $315 million for Chicago’s Regional Transit Authority. It also mentions that Chicago residents already pay a streaming services tax, with Illinois ranking seventh nationally in overall tax burden.

A May 2015 report from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability indicated that expanding Illinois’ sales taxes to include consumer services could have generated an estimated $2.105 billion at that time.

Rep. Blaine Wilhour has served in his current position since 2019. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1999-2005 and was deployed to Europe in 2002 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. His political career includes serving on the Fayette County Board. He is also a managing partner at his family’s post-frame construction company in Effingham County.