South Cook News

Christine Shanahan McGovern, the Republican nominee for the state’s 36th House District seat, has called on her constituents to watch the ‘Quiet on the Set’ documentary and sign a petition from the Parents Matter Coalition (PMC). The aim is to get the ‘right to parent’ question included in the ballot. McGovern will compete against Democrat Rick Ryan in the general election this November.

"I think the people in government in IL are no better than the pedos who go after children," said Shanahan McGovern, Candidate, according to Facebook. "There is NO REASON to keep Parents out of a minor”s health. If you are silent you are no better. Stop selling your soul!"

In a recent Facebook post, McGovern implored parents to support the PMC's initiative. "It is not too late to sign the petition to give Parental Notification back to parents," she wrote. Alongside her message, she shared a link to a post from PMC.

Screenshot of Christine Shanhahan McGovern's March 28 Facebook post. | Christine Shanahan McGovern for IL State Representative District 36 Facebook page

According to PMC's Facebook post, Tracy Smodilla, their project director, expressed her concern about recent legislative developments. She said: "With the onslaught of more anti-family bills being introduced this year, it is critical that we continue to raise awareness of these dangerous policies and successfully secure the ‘Right to Parent’ question on the ballot. As we work to restore reclaim parental rights, we urgently need more volunteers to help us keep the momentum going for the next few weeks if we’re to meet our goal."

PMC's mission revolves around "helping parents and the community reclaim and restore rights for parents and guardians to parent their minor children, free from government overreach." Currently, they are running an active ballot initiative aiming at including an advisory question on public policy regarding parental rights in November's ballot. The proposed question reads: "Shall written consent from a minor’s parent or guardian be required before any entity, person, clinic or school can provide a minor (under 18 years) any non-emergency medical procedure, medication, pharmaceutical or any gender modification procedure, gender identification counseling or gender therapy?"

PMC's Facebook post also contained a link directing users towards an article on Illinois Family Institute's website. The piece revealed that PMC must gather 500,000 signatures by April 15. The article was penned by Smodilla, who also manages PMC’s "Right to Parent" ballot initiative. It specified that completed, notarized petitions must be postmarked by April 15 and sent to Parents Matter Coalition, P.O. Box 1503, Wheaton IL, 60187.