Southern Illinois News

Blaine Wilhour, House Representative of Illinois, said that Governor JB Pritzker's climate change policies have led to a sharp rise in utility costs for residents. The statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Well, Gov. JB Pritzker I don't think any Illinois citizens are “thrilled” about your energy policies quadrupling their utility bills," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, State Representative from Illinois. "Your “climate change” driven policy is a scam that's costing American consumers big time."

Illinois advanced major climate legislation under Governor JB Pritzker with the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, aiming for 100% clean energy by 2050. According to the Chicago Tribune, this policy has drawn praise from environmental advocates but also public criticism over higher utility bills and economic impacts on families and businesses.

According to the Illinois Commerce Commission’s 2023 annual report, the average residential electricity bill in Illinois rose by about 15% between 2021 and 2023 after new clean energy laws were enacted. Much of this increase is linked to investment in renewable infrastructure.

A 2024 analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates that utility bills in Illinois increased at a slightly higher rate than the national average. This trend closely mirrors increases in states like New York and California that have also pursued aggressive climate policies.

Ballotpedia reports that Blaine Wilhour is a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives for District 110, first elected in 2018. He is known for his strong opposition to state climate mandates, arguing they inflate utility costs and undermine energy reliability and economic security.