Fellow Republicans,

Chicago’s public schools are in trouble, and families across the city know it. At a time when students are still struggling to recover academically, the Chicago Teachers Union is once again threatening a May 1st walkout, pushing politics ahead of the very students they are supposed to serve.

The reality on the ground makes this moment even more alarming. Only 40% of students in Chicago Public Schools are reading at or above grade level, and just 26% are proficient in math. Nearly half of all students, about 41%, are chronically absent, missing so much school that they are at serious risk of falling permanently behind. Meanwhile, families are voting with their feet, as enrollment continues to decline by 7,000 to 10,000 students every year.

These are not abstract numbers. They represent a generation of kids who need stability, structure, and serious academic support. They need more time in the classroom, more focus on fundamentals, and leadership that is relentlessly committed to their success. Instead, they are being pulled into political activism.

The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing our children as political pawns!

Encouraging or even pressuring students to walk out of school for political causes sends a clear message: the CTU agenda is taking priority over student outcomes. For working parents, this is not just frustrating, it is disruptive. Families rely on schools to be open, safe, and focused on learning, not used as a staging ground for political theater.

At a time when students need more time in the classroom, not less, using students for politics is exactly what is wrong with the direction of Chicago Public Schools today.

Schools must return to their core mission: educating children, supporting families, and preparing the next generation for success. That means putting academics first and restoring trust with parents who feel increasingly sidelined.

Chicago’s students cannot afford more disruption. They cannot afford to fall further behind. And families should not have to wonder whether their children’s classrooms will be focused on academics or political priorities of union leadership.

This is bigger than a single day. It’s about whether the system will finally refocus on students or continue down a path where education takes a backseat to politics.

PUT PARENTS BACK IN CHARGE - STAND WITH US!

Since launching the official Illinois Republican Party Membership Program, the response has been tremendous. Illinoisans across our state are stepping up and saying, “Enough is enough.”

But to truly break the grip of the Democrat machine, we need to know who is committed for the long haul.

For decades, that machine has acted as if it owns Illinois—raising taxes, compromising public safety, and ignoring the hardworking families who keep our state running.

The Illinois Republican Party is drawing a line in the sand. This isn’t just about the next election—it’s about building a lasting movement to restore integrity, expand opportunity, and strengthen safety in every corner of Illinois.

Your membership makes that possible:

Infrastructure: Your support fuels a year-round grassroots operation capable of taking on Governor Pritzker and his hand-picked candidates.

Accountability: We are building a rapid-response War Room to hold out-of-touch politicians accountable in real time.

The Democrat machine has special interests and “dark money” on its side. We have something stronger—you.

Don’t let this moment pass you by. Send a clear message that the silent majority in Illinois is silent no longer.

Join the movement. Secure your place. Help us take back our state.

Become an ILGOP Member Today

✅ Check & Update Your Voter Registration
If you need to check your registration, register to vote, or update your information after a move, use the Illinois State Board of Elections Voter Registration Lookup. To register online, have your Illinois driver’s license or state ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.

🗳 Become a Poll Watcher or Election Judge
Election integrity starts with you. We need Republican election judges and poll watchers to help safeguard our elections. Republican Election Judges are in high demand to ensure fair and transparent elections.

Contact Your Local Election Authority to Apply

Visit https://www.ieip.org/action-alerts/ for up-to-date information on election integrity to ensure honest elections!