For Immediate Release
Central and Southern Illinois Candidates Pledge to Refuse a Pension
“Illinois is in crisis. There isn’t a softer way to put it.”
Collinsville, Illinois - August 31, 2018 – Yesterday, Illinois House candidates Dwight Kay (Glen Carbon) and Blaine Wilhour (Effingham) joined a growing a coalition of conservative reform legislators and candidates who have pledged to refuse a legislative pension when they are elected to the state legislature. Standing with the candidates were State Representatives Jeanne Ives (Wheaton) and Brad Halbrook (Shelbyville).
State Representative Jeanne Ives said, by signing the pledge, Kay and Wilhour are demonstrating the type of leadership that is needed to change Illinois. “We need wholesale pension reform,” said Ives. “It begins with legislators.”
State Representative Brad Halbrook discussed dire situation in Illinois by saying, “The system is broken… The Edgar Pension Ramp has actually become the Edgar Pension Time Bomb... Action has to be taken now to protect employees, and those in and near retirement … [Legislators] have to lead by example.”
Blaine Wilhour, a conservative reformer running for State Representative in House District 107, outlined the case for leadership and culture change saying, “Illinois is in a crisis. There isn’t a softer way to put it. … Maintaining the status quo is going to result in further erosion of core services… I got into this race determined that I was going to do my best to make a difference… If you’re going to make a difference you have to have some tough conversations. This is a tough conversation that affects a lot of people.” “The reform movement starts right here in Central and Southern Illinois,” continued Wilhour. “It’s up to us to drive these ideas in Springfield… Legislators have to lead the way. I am proud to sign the pledge.”
Dwight Kay a candidate for State Representative in the House District 112 outlined the stakes for Illinoisans in this election. “I think Illinois is worth fighting for,” said Kay. “The problem, right now, no one is fighting. It is almost malfeasance for legislators on the other side of the aisle, who have kicked this can down the road for 10, 15, 20 years to say, “Now we’re going to throw it back to the taxpayers because they’re the only ones who have any money…
“The truth is structurally we are bankrupt,” continued Kay. “Yet, throughout State of Illinois campaigning is not about pensions. It’s not about jobs. And it’s not about reforms. It’s about who can run the best smear campaign… I think people need to get out and debate this issue… Make sure people understand what’s at stake. We’re talking about whether Illinois is an affordable place to live down the road, or an unfit place to live down the road.”
Other candidates who have signed the pledge include:
Darren Bailey, House District 109
Dan Caulkins, House District 101
Alyssia Benford, House District 98
Ken Idstein, House District 62
Jillian Bernas, House District 56
Marilyn Smolenski, House District 55
Tonia Khouri, House District 49
Jay Kinzler, House District 46
Amy Grant, House District 42
Ammie Kessem, House District 19
Craig Wilcox, Senate District 32
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