South West Illinois News

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, has announced his intention to prioritize literacy and numeracy at the Illinois State Board of Education and eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. He cited data from Quincy as well as associated costs during a statement made at the Quincy Tea Party event.

"Parents are extremely concerned about DEI in public schools," said Dabrowski. "My appointments to the Illinois State Board of Education will focus on restoring literacy and numeracy and removing destructive policies like DEI from Illinois schools. Just 28% of students in Quincy can read at grade level and just 20% can do math. Yet officials allow 80% to graduate while spending more than $16,000 per student."

According to the official 2024 Illinois Report Card, the state has recorded unprecedented outcomes in education despite ongoing debates about student achievement. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reported record-high proficiency in English language arts for grades 3–8 and a new peak in the four-year high school graduation rate. These indicators are part of broader post-pandemic recovery efforts and literacy initiatives led by state authorities, though challenges such as achievement gaps across different subgroups remain.

Quincy School District 172’s report card provides district-specific insights into academics and climate. The district includes eight schools and reports a chronic absenteeism rate of 29% for fiscal year 2024. This absenteeism is closely linked to lower proficiency levels in reading and math. ISBE’s dashboard offers access to site-based expenditures and growth data, facilitating year-to-year comparisons as Quincy addresses issues like learning loss and attendance.

The Quincy Tea Party is a grassroots organization based in Adams County, Illinois. It advocates for transparency, responsibility, and accountability in government through education and civic engagement. The group organizes monthly meetings with guest speakers and local actions aimed at promoting limited government and parental rights in schools. Dabrowski's appearance on October 6, 2025, aligns with its calendar of community events designed for residents interested in policy discussions and advocacy.

Dabrowski is leading a reform-focused campaign for governor following a career centered on studying Illinois finances and education policy. He previously served as president of Wirepoints and was also vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. Before entering policy roles, he spent over 15 years managing divisions for Citibank in Mexico and Poland. His campaign focuses on data-driven solutions, fiscal responsibility, and parent-centered education reforms throughout Illinois.