Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, announced that his latest documentary will focus on the significance of school choice and detail how Illinois Governor JB Pritzker allegedly defunded Chicago Hope Academy. This statement was made on X.
“NEW DOC! Coming Wednesday: LIBERATE FAMILIES: the School Choice Imperative,” said Cortes. “Be inspired by Bob Muzikowski, founder of Chicago Hope Academy. Be angry at JB Pritzker, who defunded this incredible school!”
Illinois has been at the forefront of intense debates regarding school choice since lawmakers allowed the state’s Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program to expire on December 31, 2023. The failure to pass an extension during the fall veto session sparked legislative hearings that underscored disagreements over whether the program enhanced student outcomes and if public funds should be used for private tuition subsidies. Families and advocacy groups have been advocating for renewal. According to ABC7 Chicago, subsequent state budget discussions have prioritized increasing funding for public education and early childhood programs instead of private-choice subsidies, positioning Illinois as an outlier while neighboring states expand school choice.
The state’s K–12 system comprises a substantial private-school sector alongside a modest charter presence. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that 223,200 students were enrolled in private schools in 2021 compared to 1.85 million in public schools in 2022. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools noted that approximately 65,215 Illinois students attend charter schools, accounting for roughly 3.25% of statewide public enrollment across about 147 schools. These statistics underscore the relatively small yet significant role of school choice within Illinois.
Nationwide, school choice adoption has expanded rapidly over the past five years. A RAND report from 2024 indicates that education savings account policies increased from four states in 2019 to 18 states by 2024, signifying a notable shift. EdChoice reports that around 75 private school choice programs are now operational across more than 33 states and jurisdictions, with participation exceeding one million students. These findings highlight a national trend towards increased choice policies beyond Illinois.
Cortes is also known as a senior political advisor to CatholicVote and a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance. He is a commentator for Fox News and CNN and frequently releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
The League of American Workers is described as a research and advocacy group founded by Cortes to promote “pro-worker patriotic populism.” As said on its website, its mission involves conducting research, producing communications, and engaging in public persuasion on issues such as immigration, trade, and economic policy from a worker-first perspective. The organization emphasizes policy analysis over electoral activity within broader populist movements in the United States.
