Illinois lawmakers weigh in on President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks

Posted on November 21, 2024
The idea of “U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon” draws reaction along party lines at the Illinois Capitol. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations continue to draw reactions.

“I’m really excited about what the Trump Administration is doing there,” said State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), when asked about Trump’s nominee for secretary of education. “Linda McMahon did a great job of cutting through the BS at the Small Business Administration in the last Trump presidency, so we’re pretty excited about it.”

“Since the President-elect named the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive as the new secretary of education,” said State Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), “it puts a huge onus on the legislative branch of the state of Illinois.”

Gov. JB Pritzker, for his part, wondered last week how special education would be handled if the federal government relinquishes control of education to the states.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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