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John Keating
Green Party Candidate For Illinois State Representative, 96th District
With a union organizer as a father, I have always had a strong passion for labor issues and a society that is equitable for all its citizens. I believe that Black and Brown Lives Matter, and until we can honestly say America offers equal opportunity to all of its residents, dismantling the systemic racism that has plagued our country is among the most important issues we face today.
Too long have we lived in a country that works for the few rather than the many, so I am running a campaign free of corporate funding. I feel that the residents of the 96th district deserve to be represented by someone who refuses to be beholden to the agenda of the upper class, they deserve a Representative that listens to their needs and concerns, and works for the best interests of their constituents at every turn.
We need to de-fund the political process.
Take the big money out, and remove the pressure and influence it holds on our elected officials. That’s the only way we can have a democracy that works for and gives a voice to all of its people.
A Vision For The Future
I believe that we can be the generation that realizes the America that we’ve always been told was possible. The generation that leaves this world better for our children than we found it.
Vision
Actionable Issues
You’ve often seen me organizing and leading rallies across central Illinois, but we have to do more than take to the streets and scream for change, we need to elect people who are going to fight for those changes in the Capitol.
Issues
Investment into Rural and Low Income communities
If elected I will legislate a program that will assist residents of rural and low income communities in starting businesses that will employ other residents on a full time basis.
End Qualified Immunity for State Constitutional Violations
We need to create a way around the qualified immunity defense by establishing statutory recourse for civil rights violations grounded in our state constitution. This would allow civil rights plaintiffs to take action in State Court and establish a way for Officers to be directly held accountable for misconduct.
Demilitarize and Diversify Illinois Law Enforcement
We need to end our participation in the Federal 1033/LESO program that grants military weapons and other equipment to Illinois law enforcement agencies and return past disbursements. We don’t need more weapons and armored vehicles; we need more social workers and addiction specialists. We need resources focused on recovery and support, not enforcement and compliance. Our communities are suffering and the solution is not policing; the solution is community investment and empowerment.
De-fund the Political Process
I will renew calls for a Constitutional Convention to ratify an amendment overturning Citizens United, removing Corporate Cash from political campaigns and giving the power back to the people. We need comprehensive campaign finance reform. In Illinois, individuals can contribute up to $5,800 to a political campaign, while PACs, or Political Action Committees are allowed ten times that. Until we are able to ratify an amendment federally to overturn Citizens United we need to limit all campaign contributions to the same level that an individual is allowed to give.
Corporations and wealthy donor shouldn’t have a louder voice than a citizen of Illinois.
Contribute to a Cause
This isn’t something that I can do by myself, or that’s about me. This is about the people of the 96th District getting representation that votes in their best interest.
WE are going to need your help.
WE are going to need your input.
WE are going to need your energy.
WE are going to need experiences.
WE are going to need your passion.
Give
About John Keating
I am not a politician. I am a father, an activist, and a community organizer that was born and raised in Springfield.
With a union organizer as a father, I’ve always had a strong passion for labor issues and a society that is equitable for all its citizens. I believe that Black and Brown Lives Matter, and until we can honestly say America offers equal opportunity to all of its residents, dismantling the systemic racism that has plagued our country is among the most important issues we face today.
Too long have we lived in a country that works for the few rather than the many, so I will be running a campaign free of corporate funding. I feel that the residents of the 96th district deserve to be represented by someone who refuses to be beholden to the agenda of the upper class, they deserve a Representative that listens to their needs and concerns, and works for the best interests of their constituents at every turn.
Ready to take the next step and support John?
Get Involved
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