Southern Illinois News

Blaine Wilhour, a representative from Illinois, said that economic deterioration and high taxes in Harvey reflect broader leadership failures and urged political transformation. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Harvey—like so many once-proud industrial towns—has been gutted, culturally and economically, by the very “leaders” who claim to care," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, State Representative from Illinois. "Residents pay 4X the property tax rate of wealthy suburbs. Now who's going to invest there? Another city destroyed by Democrats-time for change."

In 2024, Harvey, Illinois, faced mounting political and financial turmoil, including controversy over rising tax burdens and overdue audits. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, property tax bills spiked 82% between 2022 and 2023. In response, Mayor Christopher Clark publicly pledged no further hikes for 2025. However, as reported by HarveyWorld, state officials have pressured the city due to its failure to submit timely audits and unclear financial reporting, leading to concerns about administrative transparency.

Harvey currently has an effective property tax rate of 6.86%, one of the highest in the state, according to Ownwell. Despite this high rate, the city’s median tax bill is only $1,775 due to a low median home value of $41,700. In comparison, Crain’s Chicago Business reports that nearby Homewood experienced a 27% increase in property tax bills in just one year, illustrating regional disparities in valuation and tax burden.

According to NPR Illinois, post-industrial towns across Illinois have seen significant economic and demographic decline over the past decade, particularly in rural counties. Stark County is highlighted as having less than half the population it had at its peak in the 19th century. These areas lag behind metropolitan regions in employment and income levels.

Wilhour is a Republican representing Illinois' 110th District and has served in the Illinois House since 2019. He brings a background in farming, business, and military service. According to the Illinois General Assembly records, he served in the Army National Guard from 1999 to 2005 and sits on key committees including Education; Energy & Environment; and Labor & Commerce. His legislative focus includes support for small businesses and conservative economic policy.