Adam Beaty
State Representative, 80th District
“Safer Streets. Stronger Schools. A More Affordable Illinois.”
Your Choice This November
Vote Republican — defend the Constitution
Anthony DeLuca is a long-serving Democratic incumbent (State Rep., 80th District since 2009 and former Mayor of Chicago Heights) whose party has driven Illinois' most sweeping attacks on the Second Amendment, the unborn, and local self-government. In fairness to gun owners weighing their vote, DeLuca was one of the very few House Democrats to break ranks and vote NO on the Protect Illinois Communities Act (HB5471) — a fact worth knowing, though it does not erase his support for other progressive priorities. On life and conscience, he publicly backed the Reproductive Health Act, which repealed Illinois' partial-birth abortion ban and forces private insurance to cover abortion. Conservatives should press him hard on where he stands on the rest of the Springfield Democratic agenda before assuming his PICA vote makes him a reliable ally.
- Second Amendment: In an unusual break from his caucus, DeLuca was one of only a handful of House Democrats to vote NO on HB5471 — the January 2023 'Protect Illinois Communities Act' assault-weapons ban, magazine ban, and registration scheme — which passed the House 68-41 on concurrence. That is a rare pro-2A data point on his record and should be acknowledged honestly; however, gun owners should still demand on-the-record commitments from DeLuca to oppose future magazine limits, FOID expansions, ammo taxes, and 'sensitive places' carry restrictions before assuming his one vote reflects a durable position.
- First Amendment: DeLuca is on the record supporting Illinois' Reproductive Health Act, telling reporters he backed it 'to ensure if the Supreme Court did overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion services would remain legal in Illinois.' That law repealed the state's Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act and the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 and forces private insurance plans to cover abortion — a compelled-coverage mandate that runs directly against the religious-liberty and conscience convictions of Catholic and pro-life Illinoisans in the 80th District.
Why We Vetted Adam Beaty
- Active police sergeant with the Braidwood Police Department, bringing frontline public safety experience to the race
- Frames himself as a non-career-politician focused on accountability and common-sense solutions in Springfield
- Campaign priorities center on safer streets, stronger schools, and affordability for working families
The Scorecard
Second Amendment
10/10Adam's answer
“I strongly oppose legislation and government polices which are intended to restrict and monitor lawful gun ownership. Law abiding citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary government oversight and overreach concerning firearms and/or ammunition they may lawfully possess. I will continue to oppose any legislation that infringes upon the rights of la-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.”
Adam's answer
“I support the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self-defense and the protection of their families. I oppose permit requirements that place barriers on exercise of a constitutionally guaranteed right. I will continue to oppose any legislation or policy that attempts to turn a constitutional right into a government-issued privilege.”
Adam's answer
“As a law enforcement officer, I believe in and must adhere to the due process of law whether I agree or not. Red Flag laws continue to expand and I strongly oppose the notion that one's rights should be restricted without timely due process.”
Adam's answer
“I strongly oppose many facets of the SAFE-T Act. I will champion efforts that lift restrictions and enhance the discretion judges have within this state so that they may more finely interpret each case and act more appropriately to keep our communities safe and free of violent criminals.”
Adam's answer
“Having a FOID/CCL and collecting fees (tax) on a constitutional right is misguided. I see no issue with State sponsored training. But to require fees and State permission for law-abiding citizens to exercise a right is fundamentally wrong.”
Adam's answer
“Restrictions beyond what is standard in the industry places undue strain on the businesses and the consumer. Furthermore, it is pointless to place limits because owners will simply go where there are fewer to no restrictions and fulfill their needs. Moreover, whether or not caps and/restrictions are in place, there is simply no way to monitor, track, or enforce the guidelines without infringement upon other guaranteed rights.”
Adam's answer
“We've already discussed the unconstitutional permitting process. Government can't then bend in one facet and tighten upon another to meet its goal of restricting firearms. Either way, it encroached further upon notion of a police-state. Also worth noting, since we know criminals, especially those who are predatory, balk at the laws, making areas "gun-free" inherently makes that area less safe and more likely a target.”
Adam's answer
“I support small businesses. Placing more restrictions, mandates, and laws written in the grey make it near impossible to own and operate such businesses. I feel this is what current state government endeavors to control. It appears their hope is to make it impossible for these businesses to operate, therefore without the businesses there is no way to obtain a firearm within the state. I will oppose policies and legislation meant to put a damper on citizens' rights to keep and bear arms by choking out the businesses ability to provide their goods and services.”
Adam's answer
“Taxing to limit the affordability, and therefore, the availability of ammunition is just stupid on its face. We know what happened during the Whiskey Rebellion and the Boston Tea Party, or at least we ought to know and understand those moments in history. These modern versions of the Intolerable Acts will only hurt Illinois businesses, increase illegal activities surrounding ammunition purchases, and infringe upon other constitutionally protected rights. I will not support any facet of ammunition tax, serialization, or registration.”
Adam's answer
“I understand the need for appropriate background checks to ensure a buyer is, indeed, a law-abiding citizen. However, once proven, I oppose the further limitation of their rights.”
Why this score: We score Adam Beaty a perfect 10 on the Second Amendment because his stated positions align fully with a constitutional-originalist reading of the right to keep and bear arms — opposing PICA and the assault-weapons registry, backing FOID repeal, rejecting red flag confiscation, and supporting constitutional carry without magazine caps, ammunition taxes, waiting periods, or expansive "sensitive place" restrictions. Absent any record to the contrary, his commitments across every issue in this section warrant our strongest grade.
First Amendment
10/10Adam's answer
“What more need be said? Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right. There should be no infringement upon that. Full stop.”
Adam's answer
“I will alway oppose any government mandate that undermines the free exercise of one's religious beliefs or moral values.”
Adam's answer
“Debanking and other platform censorship is another act that suppresses other fundamental rights. I'll always fight to keep the 2As community open, fair, and equitable by law.”
Adam's answer
“The right of the people to peacefully assemble is right I'm bound to protect by solemn oath. I will serve and protect that which I have sworn to!”
Adam's answer
“This is another infringement upon freedom of speech and/or the right to protest. I will not vote for any legislation which forces businesses or firearm owners to distribute any goverment message to which parties do not agree or share in common.”
Why this score: We score Adam Beaty a perfect 10 on the First Amendment because his stated commitments align fully with a constitutional-originalist view of free speech, religious liberty, and the right to peaceably assemble and organize — including for Second Amendment advocacy — with no compromises on compelled speech or platform-driven censorship. Absent any record to the contrary, he stands where the Bill of Rights stands: with the citizen, not the censor.
Fourth Amendment
10/10Adam's answer
“As a law enforcement officer, I am familiar with the need for warrants for certain information and data. I will always work to protect the rights of those I serve from unreasonable searches and seizures.”
Adam's answer
“What you or I secure as property in our own homes is none of the government's business. Having database of what is privately owned is not only a slippery slope, it is the antithesis of "private."”
Adam's answer
“This is a violation of the 4th Amendment. How, when, and where you spend your money is private. Without due process, even through back channels, is/should be unconstitutional.”
Adam's answer
“This is just asinine all its own. This is the making of a police state. Even if some law were enacted to allow this, no reasonable law enforcement agency or officer would enforce this. I'll never support something like this.”
Adam's answer
“Again, a violation of the 4th Amendment. I will not support surveillance of/at/near gun venues.”
Why this score: We score Adam Beaty a perfect 10/10 on the Fourth Amendment because his stated positions align fully with an originalist view of privacy and unreasonable search — opposing warrantless surveillance, rejecting any firearm registry or database, refusing financial surveillance of gun buyers, and standing against warrantless storage inspections or monitoring at gun venues. On every issue we track under this amendment, he comes down squarely on the side of the individual right.
Fifth Amendment
10/10Adam's answer
“As law enforcement, I understand the need for due process. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without [the complete] due process of law.”
Adam's answer
“I have sworn to protect due process. I will always uphold the oath and protect those I serve good, bad, or indifferent.”
Adam's answer
“A person who has completed their sentences and/or probationary period should be returned to the full protection of the laws and constitution. I make exception however, for violent and repeat offenders. Persons with a track record of violent crimes including weapons offenses have proven they are not law-abiding citizens and therefore, should not be restored and allowed to possess firearms.”
Adam's answer
“I will oppose any and all legislation meant to coerce/force lawful gun owners to surrender and/or destroy their legally owned property.”
Why this score: We score Adam Beaty a perfect 10/10 on the Fifth Amendment because his stated positions align fully with a constitutional-originalist standard: robust due process protections against civil asset forfeiture and gun seizures, support for restoring Second Amendment rights, and firm opposition to uncompensated takings. On every issue in this section, he comes down squarely on the side of the individual against government overreach.
Tenth Amendment
10/10Adam's answer
“The power to create laws or rules is vested in the Congress of the United States and the 50 United States respectively. Agencies like the ATF should have no more power than an advisory board.”
Adam's answer
“It violates the Constitution? Then no resource should be allocated to enforce something that violates a fundamental right.”
Adam's answer
“Just because you don't like guns, gun ownership, or gun owners, does not grant any government body the ability to limit what is a guaranteed right.”
Why this score: We score Adam Beaty a perfect 10 on the Tenth Amendment because he stands firmly with state sovereignty against federal overreach, particularly on firearms — backing Second Amendment sanctuary protections and state preemption of local gun restrictions. On the core federalism questions in this section, we see no daylight between his position and the constitutional-originalist standard.
Constitutional Fidelity & Oath of Office
10/10Adam's answer
“I have taken an oath to the Constitution as my career and multiple times as a public official. I have always treated it as binding. I have held true to may oaths in every aspect and I always will regardless of popularity or any other self-serving endeavor.”
Why this score: We award Adam Beaty a perfect score on Constitutional Fidelity and Oath of Office because his public posture reflects a clear, originalist understanding of the Constitution as the binding governing document — not a flexible guideline. A 10/10 here signals that we see no daylight between his stated commitments and the plain text and original meaning of the Constitution he would swear to uphold.
Our Take
Adam Beaty presents himself as a working cop, not a career politician, and that matters. As a police sergeant who oversees patrol operations, he has firsthand experience with how Springfield's policies play out on the street, and he's running on a platform of public safety, accountability, and affordability for working families. For voters who value law and order and are tired of the political class in Springfield, his background and outsider framing are a strong starting point.
That said, his website doesn't spell out specific positions on the Second Amendment or the broader Bill of Rights, so we'll want to confirm where he stands on gun rights, free speech, and the other constitutional protections we prioritize before drawing firm conclusions. His law-enforcement career and 'common sense' pitch suggest a candidate worth a close look, but constitutional conservatives should press him directly on 2A and the rest of the Bill of Rights.
Background
Adam Beaty is a police sergeant, father, and lifelong Illinoisan running for State Representative in the 80th District. He began his law enforcement career with the Shorewood Police Department in 2013, joined the Braidwood Police Department in 2020, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2024, where he currently oversees night-shift patrol operations. Raised in a middle-class family, Adam credits hard work, faith, and community as the foundation of his commitment to public service.
Questions & Answers
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This scorecard reflects the opinions of We The Vetted based on the public record, votes, and candidate statements. It is not a paid endorsement and is not coordinated with any campaign. We accept no payment for inclusion; the donation link points to the candidate's own official campaign.