Elmhurst Activist Resists 'Conservative' Label

ELMHURST, IL – Tom Chavez, who leads an Elmhurst school watchdog group, indicated last month that it was unfair to refer to him as a "conservative."

In early 2022, he formed a group called Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Education. He made his name locally by saying that local schools were teaching critical race theory, an allegation that resembled what conservatives were saying across the country.

Chavez also led the largely successful effort to remove the novel, "American Street," as required reading from York High School. He cited obscene passages in the book.

In response to criticism from him and others, Elmhurst School District 205 said it would include passages from the book as part of ninth-grade lessons, but would no longer ask students to read the whole book.

In comments to a story last month about "American Street," Chavez objected to Patch referring to him as a conservative, saying Patch did not label local progressives.

"Why do you apply a political label to me (conservative) but never use one to describe the others who actually label themselves as active members of the Progressives for Change PAC," Chavez said. "Dishonest and biased reporting? Sure seems so. I’ve never labeled myself anything. You did that. Is that fair and honest reporting? Can you respond to this in an honest manner? I doubt it."

Patch found a few examples where Patch has labeled Chavez's adversaries as progressives. One story was a preview for the April 4 board election, in which four candidates seen as conservative, including Chavez, were pitted against four perceived as progressive. The progressives won.

Other stories about the election also referred to progressives and conservatives. One piece noted two progressive school board candidates received Democratic Party donations. And Patch reported the local teachers union endorsed the progressive candidates.

Another story was about a progressive parents group that opposed the aims of Chavez's organization. At the time, a leader of the group said she resisted the progressive label, saying not all of its members considered themselves progressives. Chavez offered a similar sentiment when Patch wrote about his group.

Before the election, Patch also reported that Awake Illinois, a conservative group that warns about the indoctrination of children, backed Chavez and the three other conservative candidates.