Dupage Policy Journal

Jeanne Ives has sparked controversy with her criticism of a PACE bus promoting LGBTQ+ identity, saying that it's offensive to many suburban taxpayers who foot a significant portion of the bill for these rides.

Ives, CEO of Breakthrough Ideas, is a former lawmaker turned radio show host, condemned the PACE board for allowing what she termed a "divisive sexual identity message" on public property.

“The PACE bus promoting LGBTQ identity is offensive to many suburban taxpayers that are paying 90 percent of costs for these rides,” Ives said in an interview with DuPage Policy Journal.

“The entire board should answer for allowing such a divisive sexual identity message on public property. This is an abuse of taxpayer property just like flying the PRIDE flag at government facilities is.”

Ives's comments reflect a broader debate about the role of public institutions in promoting social causes, particularly those deemed controversial by certain segments of the population.

The PACE bus in question, adorned with vibrant rainbow colors and messaging promoting LGBTQ+ pride, has been part of an ongoing campaign by the transit agency.


The Pride Bus is being coupled with an online ad campaign in which to a pulsating nightclub beat, a cartoon version of the Pride Bus pulls up above a rainbow, as a message pops up reading “Catch a Ride from Pride.”  

See a screenshot of the video below.

Ives pointed out the bus with a picture on Facebook.

“Because a White House Proclamation wasn't enough visibility. Taxpayer-funded PACE bus in Naperville,” Ives wrote on Facebook.


The bus has made appearances at Pride parades across the region, as detailed in PACE's 2023 Annual Report.


“Pace did inject a bit of fun into the effort of highlighting our commitment at two LGBTQ+ pride parades in Kane County this year. On June 3, Pace’s “Onboard with Pride'' bus grabbed plenty of attention in Elgin’s pride parade. Pace staff marched alongside the bus in the parade and interacted with the lively crowd,” the report reads.  

“Then, the next weekend, Pace’s pride bus made another appearance, this time at Aurora’s June 11 pride parade. Another big crowd welcomed Pace’s colorful bus and staff once again was on hand to express our support for the cause and distribute educational materials.”

According to PACE, the bus traveled “around the western suburbs throughout the year.”

“Pace’s support for equity and inclusion doesn’t stop at the end of pride month,” the report reads.

The Gatesman Agency has a landing page on its work on the Pride Bus.

"Nearly half of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously consider suicide, and respecting someone’s pronouns is proven to reduce those risks,” the Gatesman Agency said on the landing page.

The agency created the "Catch a Ride from Pride" campaign, which has garnered over 24 million impressions.

The elaborate campaign also included videos posted on social media, t-shirts, buttons and other merchandise.