Kenya Will Fight For:
01
Supporting Illinois Families Who Care for Aging Parents
Millions of working adults are quietly shouldering the responsibility of caring for aging parents while holding down jobs and raising families of their own. It's time our policies caught up with this reality. As your State Representative, I will champion legislation that provides meaningful relief to family caregivers, including a state tax credit of up to $3,000 annually for out-of-pocket caregiving expenses, mandatory work-from-home accommodations for employees with documented eldercare responsibilities, and expanded access to subsidized respite care so caregivers can take essential breaks without financial hardship. I will also fight for paid family leave that explicitly covers eldercare, not just childcare and push for the creation of a statewide Caregiver Resource Network to connect families with legal guidance, healthcare navigation, and community support services. Additionally, I support property tax freezes for households where adult children have moved aging parents into their homes, recognizing that multigenerational living arrangements save the state money on long-term care costs while keeping families together. I will also advocate for legislation allowing adult children to add their elderly parents as dependents on employer-sponsored health insurance plans, just as the Affordable Care Act allows parents to cover children up to age 26 ensuring our seniors have access to quality healthcare without forcing families to navigate costly private insurance markets alone. Our seniors deserve to age with dignity, and the family members who sacrifice to make that possible deserve a government that has their backs.
02
Death During Detention
When someone dies in police custody, whether in a jail, during an arrest, or in transport, their death certificate should clearly state that fact. Currently, many death certificates list only the medical cause of death without documenting that the person was in law enforcement custody at the time. This matters. For families seeking justice, clear documentation is essential for civil rights claims and wrongful death lawsuits. For insurance purposes, it can determine whether beneficiaries receive the full benefits they're owed, including accidental death coverage. I support legislation requiring all death certificates for individuals who die while in police custody to include the designation "Died In Police Custody." This simple change provides families with the official documentation they need, creates accurate data for tracking in-custody deaths across Illinois, and ensures these losses are never erased from the public record. Transparency is the foundation of accountability.
03
School Choice
Kenya Franklin believes every Illinois child deserves access to a quality education that nurtures their unique talents and prepares them for success. Her education platform centers on expanding school choice so families can select the learning environment that best fits their child's needs, restoring enrichment programs that develop critical thinking and creativity, and ensuring all students have access to extracurricular activities regardless of their ability to pay. Extracurriculars aren't just about building character—they're a critical factor in college admissions, with universities actively seeking well-rounded students who demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and commitment through athletics, arts, and student organizations. Kenya Franklin also supports mandatory college test preparation in all Illinois high schools, ensuring every student has access to SAT and ACT prep courses that wealthier families have long been able to afford privately. Central to her vision is the Illinois Arts Education Restoration Initiative, which will bring music and theater back to every public school in the state—programs that have been stripped away by budget cuts for too long. As State Representative for the 26th District, Kenya Franklin will fight for equitable funding, qualified educators, and the resources our schools need to prepare every student for college and beyond.
04
Cap on Auto Insurance Cost
Auto insurance is a legal requirement, yet insurance companies are using zip codes to target low-income neighborhoods with disproportionately high rates, punishing families for where they live, not how they drive. Working families in economically disadvantaged communities often pay two to three times more than drivers in wealthier areas, forcing impossible choices between staying legal on the road and affording basic necessities. As State Representative, I will fight to cap auto insurance rates in Illinois, ban discriminatory pricing based on zip codes and income, and require transparency from insurance companies before they can raise premiums. Where you live shouldn't determine whether you can afford to drive.
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Who is Kenya ?
Kenya Franklin is a seasoned political strategist and campaign professional with over six years of comprehensive experience managing federal and state-level campaigns. As the Founder and Principal of 14K Media Consulting, she leads a multimedia consulting firm that specializes in political campaigns and strategic communications, providing services ranging from campaign strategy and graphic design to digital marketing and comprehensive political consulting solutions.
Currently serving as the elected 3rd District Police Counsel for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Police Accountability in Chicago, Kenya demonstrates her commitment to civic engagement and community accountability. Her tenure extends until re-election in 2027, where she continues to advocate for transparency and public safety in Chicago's 3rd Police District. This elected position has given her invaluable firsthand experience in navigating government structures, understanding constituent concerns, and working within established civic institutions—essential skills for effective state representation.
Kenya's campaign expertise has been instrumental in multiple high-profile races. She has served as Field Director and Strategist for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s 2025 congressional campaign, where she developed comprehensive campaign strategies and managed field operations. Her ability to coordinate complex field operations, manage regulatory compliance, and build coalition support demonstrates the organizational acumen necessary for effective legislative work. Her experience managing petition drives with meticulous signature verification systems reflects the attention to detail required for policy development and legislative drafting.
As an alumna of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) Bootcamp class of 2022, Kenya has received intensive training in political leadership and campaign management. She is also certified by the National Democratic Committee and maintains ongoing certification in NGP VAN, the leading voter database management system. Her technical proficiency extends to a comprehensive suite of political software platforms, including ActBlue, Mobilize, and various FEC reporting systems. This technological expertise positions her to modernize constituent services and leverage data-driven approaches to policy-making as a state representative.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail and strategic thinking, Kenya has maintained a perfect compliance record for FEC filings and campaign reporting requirements. She has successfully managed complex petition drives with comprehensive signature verification systems, developed integrated communication strategies that combine traditional and digital outreach methods, and leveraged advanced political software platforms to maximize voter outreach and engagement. These skills translate directly to constituent communication, legislative transparency, and accountability in office.
Kenya's political career began with foundational campaign work supporting Cleo Fields for Senate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2019, and has evolved into a multifaceted portfolio that includes campaign strategy, field operations, multimedia consulting, and elected leadership. Her experience working across multiple campaigns has given her deep insight into the challenges facing working families, from healthcare costs to economic opportunity. Her expertise in petition management, regulatory compliance, and political communications, combined with her proven track record of public service, makes her uniquely qualified to represent the 26th District in the Illinois State Legislature, where she will fight for affordable insurance, caregiver support, school choice, and transparency in government
