INCS Action Secures Big Wins for Illinois Charter School Families in Statewide Primary Elections

Ten Pro-Charter Candidates Endorsed by INCS Action Claim Victory

June 29, 2022

Chicago, Ill. – Yesterday, INCS Action’s electoral work paved the way for ten pro-charter candidates to secure significant wins in the state legislative primary elections. INCS Action, the bipartisan political and advocacy arm of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), endorsed State House and Senate candidates who embrace equal educational opportunities for all students and who understand that charter public schools continue to lead the way in preparing students for college, particularly students in underserved communities.

“INCS Action supports political candidates who put school quality and students at the center of their education agenda, rather than school type or politics,” said Andrew Broy, president of INCS Action. “These election results show that Illinois parents and voters want quality educational opportunities for their children, and they understand that charter public schools have greater high school graduation rates, college enrollment and persistence, especially for students who have been historically left behind in our public education system,” said Broy. “Yesterday’s election was critical to the nearly 63,000 families statewide whose children directly benefit from a charter public school education.”

INCS Action’s most significant victory of this election cycle was the organization’s support of Willie Preston in the Senate District 16 open seat race. Despite Preston’s opponent outraising him 5 to 1, INCS Action’s electoral work through its independent expenditure committee and a dedicated canvass operation of charter school alumni and parents helped push him over the edge to victory. INCS Action was far and away the largest outside contributor in the Senate District 16 race and proved that dedicated advocacy work, coupled with strategic political investments, can make the difference in critical races. This race is even more significant because Willie Preston will replace Jackie Collins in the State Senate after the fall election, meaning that INCS Action’s work replaced a senator who traditionally voted against charter public schools with one who is reliably supportive.

Other significant victories by candidates endorsed by INCS Action in the state legislative primary elections, include:

Senate District 16
– Willie Preston (INCS Action endorsed candidate) – 54%
– La’mont Williams – 46%

House District 25
– Curtis Tarver II (INCS Action endorsed candidate) – 77%
– Josef Carr – 23%

House District 29
– Thaddeus Jones (INCS Action endorsed candidate) – 78%
– Monet Wilson – 22%

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