State Representative Blaine Wilhour says he will not be taking any money from the Illinois Education Association and calls on his opponent to do the same.
In a news release, Wilhour says he is calling on his opponent to reject financial backing from the Illinois Education Association. Wilhour says they support gun control, lockdowns, vaccine mandates, trans-ideology, and opposes scholarships for low income kids. Wilhour says in the release “The Illinois Education Association has become a radical organization whose focus is on indoctrinating our kids with their woke ideology.” Wilhour says that if the values shared in the district matter, then no Republican candidate for office can accept their help with a clear conscience.”
Full Release—–
Beecher City, IL –– State Representative Blaine Wilhour is calling on his opponent to reject financial backing from the Illinois Education Association, which supports gun control, lockdowns, vaccine mandates, trans-ideology, and opposes scholarships for low-income kids.
“The Illinois Education Association has become a radical organization whose focus is on indoctrinating our kids with their woke ideology,” Wilhour said. “The IEA’s values are not the values of the people of the 110th District. If the values we all share in this district matter, then no Republican candidate for office can accept their help with a clear conscience.”
The IEA has become radicalized. Some specific examples include:
· The IEA is stumping for radical gun control legislation and is actively supporting gun control advocates such as Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). (https://ieanea.org/2022/05/25/illinois-education-association-statement-on-gun-violence-in-schools/)
· The IEA supported school lockdowns. “We support Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to close our school buildings through the end of the year. This decision was based on facts and scientific data, and we believe it is the right move to ensure the safety of our students, our educators, and our communities.” – Former IEA president Kathi Griffin in 2020. (https://ieanea.org/2020/04/17/statement-from-iea-president-kathi-griffin-regarding-governor-pritzkers-executive-order/)
· The IEA supports vaccine mandates. “As educators, we understand the vital role we play in providing accurate, science-based information about COVID and vaccinations to combat myths and misinformation. Here is the truth: Vaccines work. Vaccines are safe. And vaccines save lives. The action taken today by Gov. Pritzker is what we need so our school year can continue in person. It’s the best course of action for the education of our state’s youth.” – Former IEA president Kathi Griffin in 2021. (https://ieanea.org/2021/08/26/iea-and-ift-welcome-a-vaccination-mandate/)
· The IEA is actively pushing trans-ideology on kids. Here is a list of recommended books for EARLY child readers:
o I am Jazz by Jazz Jennings
o My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten
o My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten
o Two Grooms on a Cake by Rob Sanders
o ‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Jessica McClintock
(https://ieanea.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Picture-BooksEarly-Readers-1.pdf)
· The IEA actively opposed the Invest in Kids program, which utilizes private donations to help low-income kids escape failing schools. “It is a new day in Illinois. We are incredibly grateful to our lawmakers for choosing to end the voucher scheme known as Invest in Kids.” – Current IEA president Al Llorens in 2023. (https://ieanea.org/stop-vouchers-in-illinois/)
“I support the teachers in the 110th District who are not actively pushing the IEA’s radical agenda but as an organization, the state’s largest teachers’ union is completely opposed to the conservative values of this district,” Wilhour said. “I do not want to be beholden to an organization that supports the lockdown of our schools and is actively promoting trans ideology. My opponent may be running as a Republican, but if he takes money from the IEA, he is signaling to the voters of this district that he rejects Republican party values and is in lockstep with the most radical elements of the Democratic party. The choice in this election could not be clearer.”
Wilhour said representatives from the IEA were just in the 110th District and met with his opponent but refused to meet with him.
“To be clear, I was not in any way seeking the endorsement of the IEA, but I did want a chance to meet with them to let them know exactly where I stand,” Wilhour said. “I support teachers, but I do not support the radical organization the IEA has become. By refusing to even meet with me, the IEA has shown there is no hope that this organization will dial back their rhetoric and their radical agenda. In fact, it is just the opposite. They are only going to get more radical, and it looks like they found their sock puppet in my opponent.”
Blaine Wilhour was born and raised in Illinois on the family farm in Fayette County. He served in the Illinois Guard from 1999-2005 as an Intelligence Analyst. In 2002, he deployed to Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Wilhour is pro-life and pro-2nd Amendment. Blaine and his wife Amber have three sons. The primary election is March 19th.
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