Lake County Gazette

As the school year comes to a close, many parents remain outraged at some of the politicized measures enacted in local schools.

In particular, the Deerpath Middle School insisted on placing free feminine hygiene products in the boys' bathrooms for 5th through 8th-grade boys.

Lake Forest resident and candidate for the US House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District Joe Severino reacted to the situation.

"School should be about constructive learning, teaching the three 'R's' and not indoctrination with radical, biology-denying nonsense,” Severino said.

"School District 67 has been forced into this ridiculous charade because of toxic mandates from Springfield and Washington DC that place tampons in the bathrooms of 5th-grade boys. My opponent Bradley Schneider and his crony JB Pritzker inflict these tactics upon local schools, and it has to stop.”

Democrats in the Illinois State Legislature enacted a law last year, signed by Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker, requiring free tampons in male facilities accessible to kids in grades 4 through 12.  

“This is really important for young menstruaters,” said sponsor State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora).

Hernandez, a Democrat and former Kane County Board member, was appointed to the Illinois House in 2019. She endorsed Richard Irvin for Aurora Mayor; he is now running for the GOP nomination for Governor.

State Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) said the tampon machines were for students who identify as male but are biologically female.

“If you are identifying as a male and that's where the bathroom you want to go to because you feel most comfortable, you may need these products," she said.

In Oregon, Democrat Gov. Kate Brown signed a law last year requiring all schools--including elementary, middle and high schools--to install tampon dispensers in their boy's bathrooms. Oregon was the first state to pass such a law.