South Cook News

Patricia Bonk, candidate for State Representative at House District 30 in Illinois, has expressed her disappointment over Mayor Brandon Johnson's recent announcement to revamp the city’s selective enrollment high schools. She also criticized Illinois Democrats for their alleged negligence in allowing the Invest in Kids Act to lapse at the end of this year.

“And the Illinois Democrats sat on their hands, allowing the Invest in Kids Act to expire the end of this year,” Bonk said on Facebook.

Bonk’s comments come as Johnson announced plans to overhaul the city’s selective enrollment high schools, a move that contradicts his campaign promises and has ignited a fierce debate. The controversial decision, aimed at boosting “equity” within the city’s education system, has left many residents and education advocates questioning the mayor’s commitment to his initial campaign assurances. During his election campaign, Johnson had explicitly stated that he had no intentions of altering the status of selective enrollment high schools.

Denisha Allen, founder of Black Minds Matter and a representative from the American Federation for Children, labeled the move as a "facade of morality." 

“These schools are magnet schools, S.A.T. prep schools, art space schools. And they have been selective,” Allen said.

“And since many people don’t think that public schools can select the students at the entrance to their doors, but that’s just simply not the fact. So these students are coming in. They are majoring in arts. They’re getting you know, it’s a magnet school. And the mayor is basically saying we’re going to do away with that system and allow all students. Think about the affirmative justice ending at the college level. But now in the K-through-12 public education level.”

Allen further highlighted what she perceives as hypocrisy by pointing out that CTU President Stacy Davis Gates sends her children to private schools despite presiding over public education.

“Over 85% of the students in Chicago public schools are minority,” she said. “Only 11% of those black kids can read on grade level and 7% can do math on grade level. The head of the Chicago Teachers Union saw the dismal outcomes that’s happening in Chicago’s public schools and said, 'no way, I’m going to pick a great school for my son.' And that was a private school. The hypocrisy is despicable. And unfortunately, she’s denying those same options to other families who are in the same predicament. The families who would like to get into these selective enrollment schools.” 

This controversy arose following the termination of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program which served 9,600 underprivileged schoolchildren attending private schools.

According to her website, Bonk is a registered nurse who has served as an emergency responder and firefighter for the Villages of Lemont and Northwest Homer. She currently holds the office of Trustee in the Midlothian Library Board and actively participates in the Midlothian policing committee. Bonk, a cancer survivor, also serves as a Team Leader for the South Suburban Cancer Walk.

Illinois’ House District 30 encompasses the communities of Dolton, South Holland, Harvey, Markham, Oak Forest, Midlothian, and Homewood as well as parts of Tinley Park and Olympia Fields. The district is currently represented by State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood).