Newly surfaced public records, including a 911 call and past bankruptcy filings, are drawing attention to Republican Jason Whaling weeks before voters decide the March 17 GOP primary for Vermilion County treasurer.
Voters will choose between Whaling and fellow Republican Darren E. Duncan for the county’s chief financial officer, who oversees public funds, property tax collection, financial records and revenue disbursement. The race is part of the Illinois 2026 election cycle.
In a recording of a Jan. 13, 2025, 911 call obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, a family member is heard telling dispatchers, “Hi. Um, so my parents have had a really big fight and my mom is, like, really scared that my dad’s going to come home and, like, start like saying stuff. And we’re just scared, and if you could send a sheriff or a cop or something to just come and talk or something.”
The incident occurred after Whaling filed for divorce from his wife, Barbara Whaling, in 2020 in Vermilion County court.
When asked for the father’s name, the caller responded, “His name is Jason Whaling.”
The caller described the aftermath of the dispute, saying, “Her shirt is ripped. Um, I wouldn’t say, like, punching violent, but maybe just like-.”
As the situation escalated, the caller told dispatchers, “He’s back!” and later added, “Yes, he’s going to start screaming.” The dispatcher responded, “Okay, I’m just going to stay on the phone with you. We’re getting them started that way.”
A Feb. 9 Facebook post from Vermilion County Watchdog referenced the Jan. 13, 2025, domestic disturbance call reportedly connected to Whaling.
“This post concerns a candidate for county treasurer, Jason Whaling. This is not mud-slinging. This is not opinion. This is documentation backed by statute,” the post stated.
The Vermilion County Watchdog wrote that when the Danville Police Department was contacted through a Freedom of Information Act request regarding a domestic disturbance incident in Oakwood, “the domestic police report connected to that incident was not included in the response.”
However, the 911 call indicates police were dispatched to Whaling’s home in response to a domestic disturbance call. The Vermilion County Watchdog post stated that dispatch records showed law enforcement responded and investigated the incident.
“Only after FOIA’ing the 911 center did it become clear that law enforcement was dispatched, units responded, and a domestic disturbance call was actively investigated on January 13, 2025. At that point, it became obvious a corresponding police report was missing from the original FOIA production,” the post reads.
Citing the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the post stated that written documentation is required in such cases.
“The Illinois Domestic Violence Act, 750 ILCS 60/303, states that every law enforcement officer investigating an alleged incident of abuse between family or household members shall make a written police report of any bona fide allegation and the disposition of that investigation. The statute further states that an officer may not refuse to complete the report,” the post reads.
The post added: “In plain terms, if officers respond to and investigate a domestic disturbance, a written report is required to be made. That makes this a records discrepancy, not a debate.”
Questions have also emerged over Whaling’s financial history.
Court records also show Whaling and his then-wife filed for bankruptcy in 2011, reporting $362,476.64 in liabilities.
The filing lists Whaling’s occupation as realtor with Realty Werks Inc., a company owned by his wife. He reported $1,000 in monthly employment income and $650 per month in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
A Feb. 25 Facebook post from Vermilion County Watchdog stated that two owner-occupied exemptions had been claimed in Whaling’s name. The post noted that Illinois law allows one owner-occupied exemption per individual for a primary residence.
“Records also indicate that from tax years 2021 through 2025, an owner occupied exemption was claimed on a property he did not own. If true, that is not a loophole. That is a misuse of the exemption system,” the post reads.
The post also referenced foreclosure and tax issues.
“In 2011, OneWest Bank filed foreclosure proceedings on his home. In 2013, his property taxes were sold. Court filings also show that in 2011 he filed for bankruptcy. While he publicly attributed that filing to medical debt related to his daughter, the bankruptcy schedules reflect $201.92 in medical debt and $98,784.52 in credit card debt, which was later discharged,” the post reads.
The post also questioned Whaling’s professional background.
“Jason publicly claims 30 years of experience in finance and real estate. However, his documented banking employment appears to begin in 2013. Bankruptcy filings list his occupation as realtor dating back to 2007. State licensing records show a real estate license beginning in 2008, canceled in 2012, then reissued in 2012 and expiring in 2016,” the post reads.
According to his Facebook account, Whaling has worked as vice president of mortgage lending at Fisher National Bank for the past two years and previously spent a decade in a similar role at First Savings Bank of Danville.
