Fran Eaton -  Former Guest Speaker at the Leadership Institute

It wasn’t until Fran Eaton finished home schooling three children through high school that she leaped fulltime into the exciting world of journalism and political activism.  

 

Fran’s eight years as Director of Communications for Illinois’ Christian Home Educators Coalition acquainted her with state and national politics.  In 2000, she created an online lesson plan website that culminated with thousands of families becoming active in the first of its kind national “Homeschoolers for Bush 2000” campaign.

 

Under direct mentoring of conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly, Fran served as president of Eagle Forum of Illinois for four years.  During those years organizing grassroots lobbying on behalf of home schoolers and Eagle Forum devotees, Fran formed several coalitions to protect parental rights and home education freedoms.  As a result, she received a gubernatorial appointment as a parent advocate on Illinois’ Immunization Advisory Committee.

 

Fran’s journalism efforts drew national attention in 2002 when she began editing a new online media source, the Illinois Leader.  Now she is part owner of one of Illinois’ most influential political blogs, the Illinois Review, and does free lance writing for several clients, including the Chicago Sun-Times News Group. She is also a political consultant to various conservative values’ state organizations.

 

Fran studied Music Education in her hometown St. LouisMissouri Baptist University.  She’s married and delights in the successes of her three adult children, their spouses and four (and counting) grandchildren.

 

Fran Eaton