North Cook News

Veteran state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) has endorsed a trio of candidates for the District 211  school board he touts as aligning with his views for the community.

“District 211 is one of the largest school districts in the state,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “It’s an attractive district for parents and families for its academic, athletic, and extra-curricular offerings, but lately it’s also gotten a lot of publicity over board policies that have rankled parents and many students, namely related to issues of biological male access to female-specific private areas.”

Morrison said Kristen Steel, Robi Vollkommer and Jessica Hinkle all share his views, including on such issues as school reopenings.

“District finances and its taxing power are also relevant issues every single year,” Morrison added. “This past year, many parents were upset that in-person learning has not been full-time for those who need or desire it, and that COVID-19 safety protocols — like those employed by some other districts — could have been employed throughout the year to protect the safety of staff and students and to ensure continuity of learning.”

Morrison said he believes a turnover of board seats over time is good for getting things done, just as having board members who currently have children enrolled would be for shaping policy and ensuring that the district and its administrative and teaching staff is held accountable to the community.

Now in his 10th year of serving the 54th District, Morrison holds the distinction of being the first Illinois legislator to entirely opt-out of the state’s pension systems. Since then, over 60 other Illinois lawmakers have followed suit.

The 54th District includes all or portions of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Barrington, and Schaumburg.