Hinsdale Central Admits Governor Not Coming

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale Central High School acknowledged Monday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is not visiting the school, contrary to its announcement last week.

The school sent a mass email to families saying the governor's office has declined an invitation to speak to an assembly.

"While the Governor’s Office had received our invitation and was working with our student group on the details, a final coordination could not be worked out due to our school calendar and the business of the state, in particular the session for the Illinois General Assembly," the school said in a statement.

In an announcement last week, Hinsdale Central said Pritzker, a Democrat, planned to speak to a half-hour assembly the week of May 15. It discussed possible security protocols and procedures for students to opt out.

At the time, Hinsdale Central credited the school's Student Liberal Association for inviting the governor.

Patch reported Monday that the governor's office had not accepted the invitation.

In its statement Monday, Hinsdale Central said, "Should the Student Liberal Association or another student group have a continued interest in Governor Pritzker or another state official coming to Hinsdale Central, the students will coordinate with the state official's office and the Hinsdale Central's building administration."

The school did not explain why it believed Pritzker planned to visit.

On Monday, Patch left messages for comment with Hinsdale Central Principal Bill Walsh, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, school board President Erik Held and a school spokeswoman. No one responded.

Patch has filed a public records request for correspondence between the governor's office and Hinsdale Central.

After the original announcement, board members disagreed over whether Pritzker should have been invited.