About ICNS
OUR MISSION IS TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS
ICNS is the voice of nonpublic education in Illinois, ensuring that policy and advocacy agencies are monitored and give a voice as funding and regulations are formulated downstate. We at ICNS are committed to continue our strong advocacy for Illinois nonpublic schools locally, in Springfield and nationally through our work with the Council of American Private Education (CAPE).
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
Matt Davidson
ICNS Board Chair
Too many leaders in our nonpublic schools are either trying to navigate the political landscape alone, are too busy to bother, or are simply uninvolved or disinterested. Although we have plenty of differences even within our nonpublic schools – we all value school choice, partnering with the home in the education of our youth, and the nonpublic school movement on the whole. Imagine if we could reach every nonpublic school family with information and strategies and then launch coordinated efforts.
Our goal is much more than simply preserving the local control of our schools. Rather our goal is to strengthen our movement, but we need your help and participation.
Together we can have a voice…we can have influence. We can make a difference.
Join the coalition!
ICNS Legislative Involvement
Our lobbyists are contracted to work throughout the year to promote our ICNS Agenda with state legislators, participation on the Illinois Advisory Council and representation at CAPE (Council of American Private Education) bi-annual meetings.
Each year, the Illinois General Assembly introduces thousands of bills and amendments, many of which can impact nonpublic schools. ICNS serves as the collective voice of Illinois' nonpublic school community, monitoring legislation, identifying issues that affect our schools, and advocating on behalf of our members.
Our legislative team maintains a daily presence at the State Capitol throughout the legislative session, reviewing proposed legislation, engaging with lawmakers, and ensuring the concerns of nonpublic schools are represented. Members receive regular legislative updates, timely alerts, and insight into the issues that matter most to their schools.
Ralph Rivera
Ralph has been lobbying on behalf of ICNS at the Illinois State Capitol for over ten years. He has worked at the State Capitol for more than 40 years. Ralph has shared that protecting the rights of parents to educate their children in the manner they choose—whether through homeschooling, religious education, or other private schooling—is a priority for him.
Molly Malone
Molly has served as a lobbyist for ICNS since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and a Master of Arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Passionate about helping students thrive through quality education, Molly is a dedicated advocate for private education and considers it a privilege to represent and support Illinois' nonpublic schools through her work with ICNS.
Legislative Goals
1
Work to restore funding to the Textbook Block Grant, Educational Improvement and School Safety Block Grant, and the Parent/Guardian Transportation Reimbursement programs.
2
Stay well-informed of any legislation, rules or regulations associated with early childhood, elementary and high school so ICNS can respond with clarity.
3
Maintain a smooth and cooperative relationship between the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and nonpublic schools to ensure an effective state recognition program for nonpublic schools.
Our Team
Jeremiah Auble
Board Member
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) State Representative for Illinois
Megan Bell
Board Member
Ad Hoc Committee for Illinois Home Education Legal and Legislative Matters
Steve Blom
Board Member
Bright Promise – Executive Director
Robin Breslin
Board Member
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Matt Davidson
Board Member Chair
Council on Educational Standards and Accountability; Association of Christian Schools International
Jeffrey Fick
Board Member
Southern Illinois District – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Schools and General Executive
Chani (Arlene) Friedman
Board Member
Associated Talmud Torahs – Government Programs Liaison to Jewish Schools
Bob Gilligan
Board Member/Lobbyist
Catholic Conference of Illinois – Executive Director
Janet Klotz
Board Member
Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation – Executive Director
Jeanette Malafa
Board Member
Catholic Conference of Illinois – Director of Government Relations
Robyn McCloud- Springer
Board Member
Association of IL Montessori Schools
Mark McVey
Board Member
Illinois Association of Christian Schools – Executive Director
Mary Menacho
Board Member
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Matt Moeller
Board Member
Illinois Lutheran School – Junior High and High School Principal
Denise Monnier
Board Member
Montessori Public Policy Initiative – Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy
Habeeb Quadri
Board Member
Council of Islamic Schools of Illinois – Chair
Karen Rebhan-Csuk
Board Member
Archdiocese of Chicago – Deputy Superintendent
Ralph Rivera
Registered Lobbyist
Illinois State Capitol for ICNS
Dawn Robinson
Board Member
Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation – Federal Funds Coordinator
Trip Rodgers
Board Member
Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod – Assistant to the President -Education
Molly Rumley
Registered Lobbyist
Illinois State Capitol for ICNS
Sharon Schwartz
Board Member
Associated Talmud Torahs – Government Programs Liaison to Jewish Schools
Sally Sharp
Board Member
Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools (LMAIS) – Executive Director
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka
Board Member/Lobbyist
Agudath Israel of Illinois – Director of Government Affairs
Lois Stewart
Board Member
Northern Illinois District – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) – Mission Facilitator for Schools
Jack Wuest
Board Member
Alternative Schools Network – Executive Director
Our Members
Ad Hoc Committee for Illinois Home Education
Agudath Israel of Illinois
Alternative Schools Network
Archdiocese of Chicago (Catholic)
Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago
Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Illinois Montessori Schools
Bright Promise Schools
Catholic Conference of Illinois
Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF)
Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC)
Illinois Association of Christian Schools
Independent Schools Association of the Central States
Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools
Lutheran Schools - Central Illinois District - LCMS
Lutheran Schools - Northern Illinois District - LCMS
Lutheran Schools - Southern Illinois District - LCMS
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)
Contact Us!
Have a question about membership, sponsorship opportunities, resources, or advocacy efforts? We'd love to hear from you. Complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch.