North Cook News

Somewhere along the way, Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) priorities moved from protecting students to shielding teachers, according to Republican state Senate candidate Barrett Davie.

Davie, of Lake Forest, who is running against state Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) in District 29, told the North Cook News he is appalled at the recent Chicago Tribune expose that revealed a long-time cover-up of sexual abuse throughout the school system.

“These horrific stories of abuse and rape inside CPS campuses, compounded by administrative denial, negligence and victim-blaming of female students, clearly call for vigorous outside oversight,” Davie, who is the son of a 35-year Chicago Police Department officer, said.

Sen. Julie Morrison

Since running unopposed in the March primary, Davie has made it known he is not a career politician, saying if he beats Morrison, he will be the needed change in Springfield as a politician who will promote change and not his career, unlike incumbents who now rule the House and Senate.

“I am appalled, but sadly not surprised that the leaders of the political machine in Springfield are dragging their feet on bringing additional accountability and oversight at CPS,” Davie said.

Davie said the CPS’ conduct is par for the course based on the sexual harassment allegations that have come out of Springfield by activists and campaign aides, who have accused incumbents Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) of harassment. 

“We've seen their lack of seriousness about addressing rampant sexual misconduct in Springfield,” Davie said.