Brad Beekman
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Western Illinois University, Macomb, Bachelors of Applied Science, 1991-1993
WORK & MILITARY
Illinois State Police, Master Sergeant, 1999-2023
AFFILIATIONS
Fraternal Order of Police, Member, 1999-2023
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Member, 1999-2023
Illinois Troopers Lodge 41, Member, 1999-2023
Illinois Farm Bureau, Member, 2023-2026
Checkrow Community Church, Board Member, 2021-2025
Checkrow Community Church, Assistant Youth Leader, 2022-2026
Cole Street Coffee House (Church Affiliated), Advisory Board Member, 2022-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Bushnell - Prairie City School Board Member, 2024-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Illinois State Senate - District 36, 2026-2026
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Li Arellano
OTHER (1)
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police FOP
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Senator Li Arellano - District 37
Senator Sue Rezin - District 38
Senator Chris Balkema - District 53
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, District Republican Organizations (2026)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Sue Rezin (2026)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In cases of rape, incest or when the health of the mother is at risk.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Life begins at conception.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Neutral
I do not have a strong feeling about this either way; I have not given it much thought. If the question is of a moral or spiritual matter, since fertilization has not occurred, conception has not occurred; therefore, I don't feel protections are needed.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
It is important that these types of drugs are monitored and administered appropriately.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The $15 per hour minimum wage mandate was passed to collect more payroll taxes from employers and additional income taxes from workers and has contributed to the rise of inflation in Illinois. Minimum wage should follow the Federal baseline.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
When private businesses offer goods and services to consumers in a competitive market with other businesses, consumers are given choices, which prioritizes supply and demand. A citizen's right to private property is freedom within the American dream and it motivates them to work, consume and prosper.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Until Illinois has a budget that creates a surplus of funds, it needs to reduce social programs, grants and funding to non-government organizations.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
First of all, this statement is not in the constitution, and I believe it has been taken out of context. It has been used to remove God from public schools. I believe the original intent of this statement was to outline "religious freedom" for individuals, meaning the state cannot prohibit you from practicing religion and the state cannot declare an "official religion" or force a specific religion on you.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Private businesses have the right to voice and exercise their moral and religious beliefs and withhold services.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
While substantial changes need to be made to the healthcare insurance field; such as, nationwide providers, not just statewide, which creates a competitive free-enterprise - supply and demand economy and also transparency on pricing of goods and services for providers, I most closely align with "C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary". We must care for our elderly and those who are unable to care for themselves.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the United States and Israel share the same economic and security interests.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Sanctuary cities harbor people that have circumvented the immigration system and violated our trust and confidence, without that society is broken.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
I selected "Agree" because I do not see where the U.S. Department of Education writes or provides a curriculum, I only see where they distribute funds and protect civil rights, etc.; which we have other departments for. I will say that I do not have confidence in the states to oversee a valuable educational system, so it worries me to give them full oversight. As an elected school board member, I value quality and truthful education, but we need resources and proper funding.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
We do not need foreign influence in the American education system.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in the one true God. I believe in the Holy Bible as the true, accurate, inspired word of God. I believe in the Trinity - God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe God created all things, and we were created in the likeness of his image, for his purpose. I believe salvation was completed on the cross, through the finished work and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and it is a free gift to everyone who trust in Him. Someday, all who trust in Jesus and his blood that was shed for the payment for their sins will spend eternity in Heaven.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo identification will provide fair and equitable voting. Even if you do not have a driver's license, you can obtain an identification card at every DMV in every state.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
While we need to be good Stuarts of the earth and atmosphere; I believe volcanos, lava islands and geysers are a reminder that the inner core of the earth is what regulates the warming and cooling cycles.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Non-renewable energy sources; such as, coal and natural gas; as well as, renewable sources like nuclear, are the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I avoid extreme views on issues, because I like to have discussions with people and learn about differences we may have. However, I do have conservative views on economic and social matters and religious liberty.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Establish laws that protect the innocent. Enforce laws and hold criminals accountable. Carry out swift justice. Incarcerate criminals and use the prison system to rehabilitate.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun ownership restrictions are needed for individuals with a felony conviction and mental health issues.
