Dupage Policy Journal

With school board races across the state generating widespread attention, Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently donated $500,000 to the Democratic Party of Illinois in an effort that critics charge seeks to boost a liberal extremist agenda that promotes inappropriate sexual education curriculum and divisive concepts that stand to make race relations even more volatile, Illinois Review reported.

“So long as I’m governor, our state will be a bulwark of progress, equity, and justice," Pritzker recently wrote on Twitter, the story said.  "We’re in a battle between an extremist GOP and a Democratic party that offers a future of strong leadership and possibility."

Many school districts are now also teaching such subjects as critical race theory, which teaches about race superiority and that the United States is fundamentally a racist country, among other shortcomings, according to the Review. Often, it is titled “culturally, responsive teaching,” “social/restorative justice,” “equity/gender support plans” and “social-emotional learning.”

Jammie Esker Schaer, candidate for the board of Elmhert Community Unit School District 205, disagrees with Pritzker's involvement in local races.

"This election is supposed to be local," she said. " Elmhurst residents can choose to vote for their school board, their park board and their city council.  Why do outside donors want to be involved?  Do they really care about our children? Elmhurst residents care because they live in Elmhurst and want their great schools back." 

Illinois school board candidates in 2021 who challenged the orthodoxy of the teacher's unions are increasingly facing personal attacks and Schaer has also seen the power of the unions.

"I am a voice for parents who want the best education for our children," she said. "We are up against a teacher's union with hundreds of members and it seems at times unlimited funds.  This is greatly imbalanced.  Teachers don't get to vote on who their union endorses for the election.  It is also supposed to be a non-partisan race, but the Elmhurst union recommends four candidates."

During a recent press conference, Pritzker went on the attack, labeling Illinois-based conservative grassroots organizations that recruit and support local school board candidates’ “racists” and “anti-LGBTQ,” with local mom and conservative grassroots activist Shannon Adcock directly being on the receiving end of some of his most disparaging comments, the Review reported.

Regardless of the outcome of the race, Schaer promises, "I will continue to fight for our children."