North Cook News

Charles Hutchinson is accusing Illinois teachers unions of attempting to overrule parents in the education of their children.

Hutchinson was the Republican challenger for the District 18 House of Representatives seat in 2022.

“We can stop the stealing of kids' future opportunities when we stand up,” Hutchinson said on Facebook. 

Hutchinson linked to a Wall Street Journal commentary by reader Bessie Montesano from Myrtle Beach, S.C., regarding the fundamental right to educate children.

“Illinois lawmakers think the state has the primary right (to educate children). In league with the teachers union, they deny parents access to education dollars while they live in areas with good public schools or can afford private schools," Montesano said in the Wall Street Journal opinion piece. "But who put them in charge? The parents! Only if parents vote for politicians who put their children’s education first, before the unions who support their campaigns, will change occur.”

Montesano’s comment was in response to one made by DePaul University’s Prof. James E. Ciecka. In another Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Ciecka highlighted the stance of Illinois lawmakers whom he said prioritizes state authority over parental rights in education, particularly concerning access to educational tax dollars. He said politicians are being hypocrites for saying they enjoy the freedom to choose better schools for their own children while denying that opportunity to other parents. 

“These same politicians often live in areas with good public schools or choose to send their own children to private schools," Ciecka wrote in the Wall Street Journal, "That is, they freely exercise their parental educational rights and responsibilities while denying other parents the opportunity to do the best for their children."

Hutchinson has actively served in various community roles such as president of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, and a member of the Wilmette Theatre Board. His campaign focused on promoting parental rights, education, safe neighborhoods and lower taxes, all in an effort to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of its residents.

District 18 includes the suburbs of Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Winnetka and Glencoe. Democratic state Rep. Robyn Gabel is the incumbent, having initially been elected in 2010.