Kane County Reporter

Aris Garcia, a candidate for the 49th House District, has voiced concerns over the exposure of middle school students to animated pornography, attributing this issue to liberal politicians. Garcia draws on the insights of Robert Renteria, an Illinois native, in his critique.

“Why do liberal politicians insist on showing pornography to kids in middle schools,” Garcia said on Facebook. “Robert Renteria is from Illinois and has great insights on what’s going on the ground.”

Renteria echoed Garcia's concerns about explicit or inappropriate content in educational settings. He advocated for the removal of pornography from schools and proposed using his Barrio books as alternative learning tools. 

"Let’s get the pornography out of schools, let’s use the Barrio books as alternative learning tools!" he stated.

Renteria is known for his dedication to education and community upliftment. His initiative "From the Barrio to the Board Room" promotes pride, accomplishment and self-esteem within communities by utilizing culturally relevant tools. Central to this initiative are his books "From the Barrio to the Board Room," "Mi Barrio" and "Little Barrio." These materials are donated at no cost and aim to promote student achievement, enhance critical thinking skills, and bridge educational gaps, according to the foundation.

The remarks from Renteria come in response to a 2023 law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The law targets institutions that seek to restrict or remove animated pornography from publicly funded libraries by threatening the withdrawal of public funding. This law affected institutions like Harlem School District 122 Board of Education in Machesney Park which decided to remove certain animated titles from its libraries following parental outcry.

"It’s porn," Lynette Hofman, a community member said, according to WIFR, Rockford Sun reported. "We’re talking incest, molestation and pedophilia."

Garcia, a first-generation American immigrant from Germany and a graduate of Central Florida Aerospace Academy, has announced his candidacy for state representative. He is committed to addressing issues he believes the Democratic party has overlooked, particularly in education. "I am running for State Representative because I believe the Democrats have failed our children and are actively destroying opportunities for the middle and lower classes," he stated on his campaign website.

Garcia’s stance reflects his commitment to holding politicians accountable for their actions, especially those who prioritize personal interests over community needs. He criticized the alleged misuse of political offices as personal "piggy banks," stressing that such actions come at the expense of the people they are meant to serve. Garcia is seeking to represent the residents of the 49th District which is currently represented by State Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). The district includes parts of Batavia, West Chicago, South Elgin, Wayne, Bartlett and portions of Aurora and Geneva.