MAHOMET – Dozens rallied in front the Mahomet office of Illinois’ 15th Congressional District Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) on Saturday. They protested her recent votes in Congress, a lack of public town hall for constituents, and her support of conservative federal policies.
Audio PlayerMarti Brandt, organizer and founder of March for Democracy, said that an event beginning with three people swelled into an event with over 400 people interested on Facebook.
“It’s just kind of really snowballed and exploded since then, and everybody’s pretty excited to be able to come out,” Brandt said.
Miller has been an avid supporter of President Donald Trump’s new administration, as well as Elon Musk. She’s been on record speaking against “the dangers of gender ideology” and voted yes to a GOP budget plan that could slash the Medicaid budget by nearly $880 billion.
Protestors gathered along East Main Street to condemn Rep. Miller for her lack of engagement with voters in the state’s largest congressional district. Some brought signs with messages including “Mary Miller won’t talk to you, WE WILL” and “Where’s Mary? 1,532 days in office, ZERO town halls.”
Democrat Jennifer Todd hopes to challenge Rep. Miller in the 2026 midterm elections. She criticized Miller’s engagement with constituents.
“[Miller] doesn’t answer phone calls,” Todd said. “Her staff doesn’t answer phone calls. They don’t even send out form emails saying we received your email.”
Speakers at the event included Terry Redman, a representative of IL-15 Democratic State Central Committee. As someone in agriculture himself, Redman spoke about how Trump’s new international tariffs are making local farmers lose money in grain sales.
“There’s been a lot of Republicans that are now stepping back and saying, ‘What have I done’?” Redman said.
The rally also featured chants led by community leaders from organizations like the Mahomet Democrats, Champaign County Democrats, Champaign County Indivisible, Indivisible Illinois, and Mahomet Persisterhood.
Illinois Public Media News sought a response from Rep. Miller’s office but as of Sunday night, a representative has yet to comment about the protest.
Illinois Reps. quiet on town hall planning amidst national protests
House Republican leadership told members on March 4 to stop hosting in-person forums after a string of demonstrations across the country. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) faced an angry crowd and boos in late February after defending Elon Musk. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) was booed after commending Trump’s recent policy pushes.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL12) also has no planned town halls, only offering a sign-up for a telephone town hall on his website.
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL16) has no town hall options, neither in-person or virtual, published online.
Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL2) has no town halls planned as of March 14.
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL13) has not scheduled town halls with constituents since her last forum hosted in February.
