South West Illinois News

David Sheppard, a candidate for Illinois State Representative in District 36, said that families deserve answers about the causes of autism and committed to pursuing greater transparency and accountability in medical research. This statement was made during an interview.

"I write this not only as a candidate running for State Representative in the 36th District, but as a father," said Sheppard. "But something changed after his vaccinations: over the ensuing months he developed rigid eating habits, meltdowns over small changes, and extreme sensory withdrawal. We're told that the medical community sees only association, not causation. As your State Representative, I will treat this issue not as political theater, but as a moral imperative."

The Chicago Tribune reported on September 22, 2025, that concerns over Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and its possible links to autism have gained traction in both medical and legal debates. While some observational studies suggest associations, scientists caution that these findings do not establish causality due to confounding factors and methodological limitations. The coverage framed the issue as part of a larger push for stricter transparency in pharmaceutical research and medication safety during pregnancy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, autism prevalence among U.S. children aged eight was 32.2 per 1,000 in 2022—approximately one in 31—marking an increase from earlier estimates of one in 36. The rise reflects both improved diagnostic practices and broader awareness, continuing a two-decade trend of higher reported prevalence rates.

Axios reported in May 2025 that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order limiting the sharing of autism-related data with federal agencies without individual or guardian consent. The move came amid discussions of a proposed national autism registry, raising questions about balancing research transparency with patient privacy protections.

Sheppard ran as a Republican candidate for Illinois House District 36 in 2022, challenging Democratic incumbent Kelly M. Burke but lost with 38.2% of the vote. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, he was recruited to bring competition to a historically uncontested seat, emphasizing concerns about voter suppression and the need for more choice in elections. His platform highlighted government accountability and fiscal reform.

Illinois House District 36 covers parts of Chicago’s South Side and southwest suburbs, including Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Beverly, and Mount Greenwood. The district has been represented by Democrat Kelly M. Burke since 2011 and has leaned Democratic in recent elections, though Republicans like Sheppard have mounted competitive bids. Ballotpedia notes that the district has experienced low competition in past cycles, making recent challenges significant.