Working for Illinois Caucus

by Randy Pierce

While not directing her comments in an accusatory manner directly at her opponent, incumbent Illinois 112^th District State Representative Katie Stuart has shared a statement concerning things going on during the time approaching her November 5 reelection effort that she said makes her feel “really sad.”

In speaking recently to a regional group of union laborers at an awards event their organization was hosting in Belleville, Stuart said people she had talked to in Collinsville about putting her campaign signs in their yards “are afraid to do it.”

She went on to add those individuals are “afraid of violence that’s going to be inflicted on them if they show support for a Democrat.”

Keeven, the Troy city administrator for the past three years, also commented on the voter safety aspects of the campaign season where he is concerned, stating,

“My volunteers and I have knocked on over 15,000 doors since this race began and we will knock on a few more before Election Day. I have never felt unsafe campaigning in the 112^th district nor has anyone shared feeling unsafe when expressing who they intend to vote for in this election.”

“The person running against me is not your friend,” Stuart told her audience of organized labor employees and representatives, “and doesn’t respect what you do and understand the importance of sticking up for the folks in this room.”

“I’ve had a few voters tell me,” Keeven stated, “that Katie Stuart became angry and reacted rudely when they advised her of their intent to vote for me, but they did not indicate they felt unsafe.”

“Residents have overwhelmingly shared with me that they want change in Springfield,” Keeven added. “The continual property tax increases and exceedingly high cost of living is wearing heavy on everyone.”

“I’m a Democrat,” Stuart said, “because I think every kid deserves the best education they can get regardless of where they live and people that make that happen are Democrats.”

She further said she supports legislative actions that ensure the future of coming generations from an environmental standpoint while adding, “Democrats are going to enact those policies, smart policies, to make that happen and protect our way of life.”

In expressing his concern for the impact of the state legislature on his would-be constituents Keeven said, “The recent Illinois $53 billion budget, which included $1.1 billion in new taxes, was passed without a single Republican vote.”

“The Democrats in the House and the Senate own the financial woes of Illinois so I understand why people are upset with our current representative,” Keeven continued.

“I’m a Democrat,” Stuart noted in expanding on her position, “because I want to keep those prescription drugs that people rely on. I want to make them affordable. I want to stop drug companies from charging us an arm and a leg” while adding she trusts “women to make their own health care decisions.”   

The 112^th district currently represented by Stuart includes all or parts of the cities of Caseyville, Glen Carbon, Bethalto, Collinsville,  Edwardsville, Fairmont City, Maryville, Wood River and portions of other communities further to the south in St. Clair County.

Stuart, an Edwardsville resident, taught math at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville prior to taking office in the Illinois House of Representatives with a 2016 election victory over incumbent Dwight Kay.     

Before Keeven began serving as Troy city administrator in 2021, he was chief of police for the City of Edwardsville for eight-and-a-half years and, prior to that, spent 27 years as an Illinois State Police trooper before retiring at the rank of major.

The issue of campaign signs, as referenced by Stuart, in Collinsville also has touched incumbent county board member Paul Nicolussi who a few weeks ago stated about 15 of his were removed from where they had been placed in his district.

Nicolussi, running as a Republican and being challenged in his reelection bid by Democrat Carolyn “Carol” Hogan-Downey, said he does not accuse his opponent of being involved in the taking of the signs but instead feels it is the work of what he said where “Democratic activists” supporting their party’s candidate.

Among the signs that disappeared, Nicolussi said there were about 15 which had been placed in the yards of homes, at a couple of businesses and a pair of apartment complexes.

In another general election race set for November 5 that includes a county board district which takes in parts of Collinsville, Republican Linda Wolfe and Democrat Jim Trucano are both seeking a position which is being vacated by Ryan Kneedler, the incumbent.