SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) caused controversy during a House appropriations hearing Tuesday by stating Illinois should stop focusing on equity in education funding.

Wilhour's comments come as the Trump administration continues to push elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in schools and within the federal government. 

The Eastern Illinois Republican argued lawmakers should worry more about improving education for all students instead of addressing DEI funding. Wilhour said Illinois needs to renew focus on academic excellence since he believes students in many communities are falling behind.

"We can look at the Chicago Public Schools for an example," Wilhour said. "One of out 10 African Americans are reading at grade level. So, I think that relentless focus on that probably hasn't worked very good and maybe we should be open to looking at things a little bit differently."

Rep. Will Davis (D- East Hazel Crest), a Black legislative leader, said he took offense to Wilhour's rant. Davis stressed that budget investments for equity and inclusion have helped students in many Illinois schools.

"Part of the reason is we start 10 steps behind to begin with," Davis said. "We need to figure out how to catch everybody up, which is why the equity conversation is equally as important. I'm a product of that."

Davis chairs the House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee. Wilhour serves as the Republican spokesperson for the committee. 

"We've got a lot of work to do on getting students to where they need to be contributors to society," Wilhour said. "That's ultimately what we strive for here."

"I agree. We have plenty of work to do," Davis said. "But, you took particular interest in saying students of color are the ones that can't do anything."

The House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee will meet again next week.

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.