Pekau Under Scrutiny For Award From Controversial Group: Report

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park mayor and 6th Congressional District Republican candidate Keith Pekau is drawing criticism after accepting an award from a controversial, politicized group known for its sex education stance, according to a report.

"Awake Illinois" in March recognized Pekau with an Advancing Freedom honor, noting "his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic," reports Shaw Local. Pekau was a vocal opponent to mask mandates and vaccines, even as the Covid-19 pandemic was in its early days.

The group dubbed Pekau a "warrior" who is "effecting positive change in their communities and throughout the state."

Awake Illinois believes public school sex-education standards are “perverse." The group also has made transphobic remarks on social media. Pekau's acceptance of the award drew criticism from Equality Illinois, a group that advocates for LGBTQ rights.

“No candidate or public official should ever engage with and encourage hate groups that target marginalized communities and people,” Communications Director Myles Brady Davis told Shaw Local. “Those are not Illinois values.”

Pekau won the GOP nomination in June and will face incumbent Democrat Sean Casten of Downers Grove in the Nov. 8 general election.

Chicago mayoral hopeful Paul Vallas also recently denounced Awake Illinois for what he calls "hateful rhetoric" after the conservative Naperville group posted on social media calling Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker a "groomer."