North Cook News

Charles Hutchinson, the candidate for the 18th District State Representative, has targeted his opponent, State Rep. Robyn Gabel (R-Evanston), citing the decrease in student proficiency in Chicago Public Schools during her tenure. Hutchinson pledges to combat this decline if he is elected.

"Since my opponent has been in office, student proficiency in Chicago Public Schools has plummeted," Hutchinson said on Facebook. "In Springfield I will fight for better public schools!"

According to Illinois Policy, there has been a significant drop in enrollment in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) of over 87,000 students under the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) since 2010. This reduction constitutes more than a 20% decrease. Despite the lower enrollment numbers, financial demands on taxpayers have surged by an alarming 55%, escalating to over $7 billion in fiscal year 2023 from $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2010. The educational crisis extends beyond mere enrollment figures.

Illinois Policy also reports a worrying decline in academic proficiency rates among students from grades three through eight. The percentage of students proficient in reading dropped by 29% between 2010 and 2014, with further decreases observed after changes were made to state testing between 2015 and 2022. The most recent data reveals that only an average of 20% of third through eighth graders were proficient in reading by the end of the last school year, with a mere 15% demonstrating proficiency in math.

Hutchinson, a lawyer based in Wilmette, has forged strong ties with the community through various roles such as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, and Board member for the Wilmette Theatre. As outlined on his website, his candidacy is driven by a shared goal of strengthening community bonds and advocating for key issues like parental rights, education, neighborhood safety, and tax reduction. Hutchinson is focusing on these concerns as a pathway to building a stronger community in the district.

The 18th District includes north Cook County communities such as Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Winnetka and Glencoe. The incumbent is Robyn Gabel (R-Evanston), who took office in 2010 and is nearing the end of her current term set to conclude on Jan. 8, 2025. As reported by Ballotpedia, Gabel is seeking re-election to continue representing the district in the Illinois House of Representatives.