Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, has expressed his opposition to allowing boys to participate in girls' sports. He conveyed his gratitude to the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) for its efforts on this issue during a statement made at IFI’s Faith, Family, Freedom Fall Banquet held in Homer Glen.
"No boys in girls' sports. Period," said Dabrowski. "That's something that I, my running rate Carrie Mendoza and Riley Gaines are all championing. My thanks to the Illinois Family Institute for a great night and all the great work they do."
The Illinois Family Institute hosted its 2025 Faith, Family & Freedom Banquet on November 7 at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen, Illinois. The event featured Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and advocate for women's sports, as the keynote speaker. The program underscored IFI's mission and included remarks from various guests and honorees.
According to reports, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) requires transgender student-athletes to obtain eligibility determinations for postseason play in single-sex sports. A policy update from 2023 mandates that athletes whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth must receive IHSA approval to compete in championship events. This policy involves a case-by-case review rather than implementing a statewide statutory ban.
Dabrowski is running as a Republican candidate for governor of Illinois in 2026. He is also the president of Wirepoints, a nonprofit organization recognized for its data-driven analysis of Illinois’ economy and public policy. Dabrowski launched his campaign in September 2025 with a focus on fiscal reform and education. He has named Dr. Carrie Mendoza as his running mate; she is an emergency physician and former director of the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR). Dabrowski's professional background includes roles at the Illinois Policy Institute and in private-sector finance.
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