Keith Cameron's Catering

10/20/2026

AD: THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN GET BEHIND.

As a write-in candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 103rd District, I believe it’s time we start looking seriously at ways to get big money out of our elections.

Hawaii has taken a different approach to challenging Citizens United. Rather than trying to overturn the Supreme Court ruling directly, it passed legislation restricting the powers granted to corporations, including their ability to spend money to influence elections.

The law faces legal challenges, and the courts will ultimately decide whether it passes constitutional muster. But I give Hawaii credit for exploring another path.

I believe in free speech, the Constitution, and accountability in government. I also believe our elections should be about ideas, qualifications, and the people we represent—not who can write the biggest check.

Illinois should be studying Hawaii’s approach and exploring whether we can do something similar here.

I’m running because I believe we need independent thinking, practical solutions, and representatives willing to ask tough questions instead of accepting the status quo.

Our government belongs to the people. Let’s work to keep it that way.

Write in Keith Smith for Illinois House District 103.

10/19/2026

Here are the facts.

The U.S. Constitution, which every member of Congress swore an oath to uphold and defend, establishes the legislative branch’s responsibilities, including lawmaking, oversight, and the Senate’s role in providing advice and consent on certain appointments and treaties.

Republicans control both the House and Senate. In my opinion, they have grossly failed in their oversight responsibilities. That is why I said, if you have to crawl through a minefield to do it, vote every Republican out of office.

Let me be clear: I was talking about the Republicans in Washington, D.C. I was NOT talking about local or state elected officials or candidates. There is a difference, and context matters.

It seems that at every turn, someone wants to turn everything I say into a partisan political argument. They want to put me in a box and assign me a label that fits their narrative.

The problem is, I don’t fit neatly into anyone’s political box.

I’m an independent-minded Democrat. I believe in the Constitution, accountability, ethics, and the rule of law. I will call out elected officials when I believe they have failed the people they were elected to serve, regardless of party.

My loyalty is to principles, not political parties. And I’m not going to apologize for that.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Lower-income Illinois families pay a larger percentage of their income in state and local taxes than wealthy households.

The lowest 20% of earners pay approximately 14.8% of their income in state and local taxes.

Middle-income households pay approximately 12.8%.

The top 1% of earners pay approximately 7.3%.
Illinois relies heavily on individual income taxes, which account for roughly 52% of General Funds revenue.

Sales taxes disproportionately affect lower-income households because they spend a larger share of their income on taxable goods and services.

Property taxes place a substantial burden on homeowners, including retirees and people living on fixed incomes.

Illinois should explore shifting some of the tax burden away from property taxes and working families toward higher-income earners.

Any property-tax reduction must include a responsible plan to maintain funding for public schools and essential local services.

The goal should be a fairer tax system—not simply higher taxes, but a more equitable distribution of the burden.

Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, “Who Pays?” 7th Edition. Figures reflect combined state and local taxes, not state taxes alone.

10/19/2026

One final thought: If I were a Republican today, I’d be an Adam Kinzinger or Liz Cheney Republican.

I may not agree with them on every issue, but I respect their willingness to put country, the Constitution, and the rule of law ahead of party loyalty.

I will never put party before ethics or the Constitution. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

That’s what I believe politics should be about. Not blind allegiance to a political party or one man, but standing up for what you believe is right, even when it costs you politically.

We need more of that from both parties.

10/18/2026

MASSACHUSETTS RAISED BILLIONS WITH A “MILLIONAIRE TAX.” SHOULD ILLINOIS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK?

In November 2022, Massachusetts voters approved a 4% surtax on annual income above $1 million. It took effect January 1, 2023.

The results are worth examining.

BILLIONS IN NEW REVENUE: Massachusetts collected approximately $2.46 billion in FY2024 and nearly $3 billion in FY2025.

MONEY WITH A PURPOSE: The revenue is constitutionally dedicated to education and transportation, helping fund public schools, higher education, roads, bridges and public transit.

BUT IT’S NOT A MAGIC FIX: Revenue can fluctuate, and the tax doesn’t automatically solve a state’s pension liabilities or overall budget problems.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ILLINOIS?

Illinois homeowners are struggling with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Our schools need reliable funding, and our state continues to grapple with enormous unfunded pension obligations.

We need to ask a direct question: Could Illinois generate additional revenue from its highest earners and use it to reduce the burden on homeowners, strengthen school funding and put our state finances on firmer ground?

Massachusetts provides a real-world example worth studying—not a guarantee that the same policy would produce the same results here.

Illinois would need independent revenue estimates, clear rules governing how the money is spent, and safeguards against volatile collections. Most importantly, any proposal should explain exactly how it would benefit Illinois taxpayers rather than simply give the state more money to spend.

I believe we should examine every serious option that could make Illinois more affordable, fund our schools fairly and put our finances on a sustainable path.

The question isn’t just whether Illinois can raise more revenue. It’s whether we can use our resources more responsibly to deliver real relief to the people who live and work here.

Let’s have that conversation. What do you think Illinois should learn from Massachusetts?



Write-In Keith Smith for Illinois 103

10/18/2026

I’m so proud of myself and gratefully except the honor. Now get to the polls of November 3 and vote like democracy dependence on it.