Signatures
149
People who signed Lifewise's petition
State Law
Illinois is a
"Shall" state
Active Schools
Lifewise Enrollment
| Location Map | Decatur, IL 62523 Macon County |
| Lifewise Local Program Website | Link (opens in a new tab) |
| District Poverty Rate | 31.8% (data source) |
| Non-White Students | 72.1% (data source) |
| NCES Link | NCES District Info |
| Last Updated | December 1, 2025 |
What Can My School District Do?
All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.
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Schools in the District (20)
| School | Grades | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Dennis Elem School | 1st, 5th | |
| Alternative Education Center | ||
| Benjamin Franklin Elem School | ||
| Eisenhower High School | ||
| Garfield Elementary | ||
| Garfield Montessori School | ||
| Hope Academy | ||
| Johns Hill Magnet School | ||
| Macarthur High School | ||
| Mary W French Academy | ||
| Michael E Baum Elem School | ||
| Muffley Elem School | ||
| Oak Grove Accelerated School | ||
| Parsons Accelerated School | ||
| Pershing Early Learning Center | ||
| Robertson Charter School | ||
| South Shores Elem School | ||
| Southeast Learning Center | ||
| Stephen Decatur Middle School | ||
| Stevenson Accelerated School | ||
State Law and School Board Policy
| School District Policy | |
| Policy Notes | |
| Illinois State Law | Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time. |
| State Law Link | https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/010500050K26-1.htm |
| Law Notes |
Local Personel
Download All Lifewise Personel List
| Title | Name | Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Leann Ellis | leannellis@lifewise.org | Yes |
Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
149
November 3, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
149
March 20, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
147
November 30, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
147
August 24, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
146
August 13, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
143
August 1, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
140
July 26, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
131
July 16, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
125
July 10, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
114
July 1, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
92
June 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
91
June 20, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
62
June 15, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
62
June 6, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
62
May 20, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
61
May 17, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
60
May 14, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
59
May 8, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
52
May 5, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
May 1, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
36
April 25, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
Enrollment Data
| School Enrollment | Lifewise Enrollment | % | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| No enrollment information | |||
Lifewise enrollment numbers come from social media, newsletters, press, and public record requests. Contact RPS with enrollment numbers.
Associated Organizations
| Org Type | Org Name | Address | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise. | ||||
