Springfield’s self-styled “community organizer” and failed political candidate John H. Keating is once again frequenting his old hangout, Sangamon County court, this time for a probation revocation hearing on September 2 over the 2021 Illinois State Fair arson case he pleaded guilty to.
Keating, 33 at the time of his arrest, was charged in connection with a late-night fire on August 21, 2021, that completely destroyed a vendor stand at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The stand, owned by Gary McNeal and operated under LG Concessions, suffered a total loss of the structure and merchandise.
Illinois State Police investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. Keating was arrested without incident on September 22, 2021, alongside co-defendant Zakary Bunt, a 19-year-old carnival worker from Arkansas.
Keating walked away in 2023 with a soft three-year probation deal, two days of credit for time served, and an order to pay $11,000 in restitution. After three years, he has paid back a total of $60 out of the $11,000 in damage he caused.
After his arrest, Keating took to Facebook to cry “targeted prosecution” and “modern day Red scare witch hunt.” Peaceful activist, they called him. Fellow Springfield activist Nick Dodson started a GoFundMe for Keating which raised $2,770.
Then he pleaded guilty.
And ever since? Zero remorse.
Instead of quiet compliance, Keating has treated the whole episode like material for his Facebook page—joking, making light of it, and showing the public exactly how seriously he takes the felony he admitted to.
Keating has deleted all of his old Facebook posts, but he of all people should know, the internet is forever.
Keating made a career out of lecturing Springfield about justice and accountability. Apparently those principles stop at the courthouse door when the defendant is him.
The September 2 hearing is a chance for the system to finally treat this case with the seriousness Keating has refused to show.
Will the system finally punish Keating properly? Unlikely.