About Josh
Principles and ValuesBig Money special interests have saturated our political landscape, leading to multitudes of problems we suffer through in Illinois at the Local, State and Federal levels. Values like hard work, a community where we are ALL successful, and just caring about our neighbors are drowned out by Billions in special interest money. This ensures those at the top make our government work for them, instead of the rest of us. Josh will NOT take money from corporations or Super PACs and thus is not beholden to those same special interests. OUR campaign is grassroots funded by people like YOU, and YOU are who Josh represents.
To tackle our communities’ problems instead of dictates from above, we need bold, community determined actions. EVERYONE should have a place at the table to voice ideas, discuss options and work together to synthesize a solution that benefits us all. Progress is made by implementing those changes we need at the local level, working stronger together to achieve economic, racial, social and environmental justice for our entire community. |
Why RunYears as a public school teacher have shined a harsh light on the inequities in our education system, which carry over into the rest of society. Fighting for students and parents against broken institutions led Josh to carry that fight into our political arena. Our campaign gives a voice to all of us who are struggling to make ends meet, and trying to provide more opportunities to our children than we had.
The illustrious Barbara Jordan once said, “What the people want is very simple – they want an America as good as its promise.” Illinois is 5th in the nation in GDP. We do not have to be a poor state. It is how our resources are allocated that brought us to this point. We need leadership that will give the people what they want, an America, and an Illinois, as good as its promise. Josh is the leader who is working alongside us to help keep that promise. |
Meet Josh Grys |
Josh comes from a modest background. His father was a teacher, and his mother stayed home with her 7 children and many foster children. Growing up, Josh learned to value all people and love others.
As a teenager, Josh volunteered and coached Special Olympic athletes while in Jr. High and High School. He volunteered at Muscular Dystrophy Summer Camp over the summers, and spent a lot of time learning to serve others. While going to school, Josh also played high school soccer, and ran track and field.
Taking the lessons he learned from his family, and volunteering experiences, Josh went to college for Special Education. He earned a dual degree in Special Education, and Elementary Education from Lewis University while competing as a Track & Field athlete making it to Nationals as a Junior, but stopping there because of injuries.
With his commitment to serving the underprivileged, Josh wanted to concentrate his teaching efforts to the inner city schools. After concentrating in those areas while at school, Josh returned to Pekin and began his teaching career in Peoria School District 150. His love for education and children allowed Josh to Spend 4 of his first 5 years teaching in the South End of Peoria at Trewyn School. He also spent time at Pekin Community High School, where he attended as a youth, and Parkview Jr. High School in Creve Coeur, for the remainder of his 8 years in the education field. Josh and his family made the decision to leave the education field to go work in the private industries where he could better provide for his family.
Josh has four children, Cash, Ryker, Hayes, and Knox, and a wife, Laura. With four children on two teacher salaries, it made sense for Josh to leave education for the private industries, and for Laura to stay home and raise the children rather than paying to send the children to daycare.
Josh’s passion for politics began while teaching and seeing how broken the education system is. He started learning more about the political process, and has since decided to run for political office to make a difference for others at the state level.
Please consider voting for Josh Grys and/or donating to our campaign.
As a teenager, Josh volunteered and coached Special Olympic athletes while in Jr. High and High School. He volunteered at Muscular Dystrophy Summer Camp over the summers, and spent a lot of time learning to serve others. While going to school, Josh also played high school soccer, and ran track and field.
Taking the lessons he learned from his family, and volunteering experiences, Josh went to college for Special Education. He earned a dual degree in Special Education, and Elementary Education from Lewis University while competing as a Track & Field athlete making it to Nationals as a Junior, but stopping there because of injuries.
With his commitment to serving the underprivileged, Josh wanted to concentrate his teaching efforts to the inner city schools. After concentrating in those areas while at school, Josh returned to Pekin and began his teaching career in Peoria School District 150. His love for education and children allowed Josh to Spend 4 of his first 5 years teaching in the South End of Peoria at Trewyn School. He also spent time at Pekin Community High School, where he attended as a youth, and Parkview Jr. High School in Creve Coeur, for the remainder of his 8 years in the education field. Josh and his family made the decision to leave the education field to go work in the private industries where he could better provide for his family.
Josh has four children, Cash, Ryker, Hayes, and Knox, and a wife, Laura. With four children on two teacher salaries, it made sense for Josh to leave education for the private industries, and for Laura to stay home and raise the children rather than paying to send the children to daycare.
Josh’s passion for politics began while teaching and seeing how broken the education system is. He started learning more about the political process, and has since decided to run for political office to make a difference for others at the state level.
Please consider voting for Josh Grys and/or donating to our campaign.