Prairie State Wire

In a recent development, proposed changes to the Invest in Kids Act have ignited a fierce debate over the future of the program, which provides essential educational opportunities for underprivileged students in Illinois. The alterations, if approved, would extend the program for an additional five years but come with significant reductions in funding.

The Illinois Freedom Caucus strongly opposes the proposed changes. 

"This proposal is a non-starter," the Illinois Freedom Caucus said in a statement. 

"It will not make the program permanent, and it reduces the available funding for scholarships. The best course of action would be to extend the program and to expand it. This school year alone, the scholarship program has helped 9,500 kids escape failing schools. There are 26,000 applicants in need of scholarship help. But instead of helping kids, it appears the Legislature is dead set on making it harder for this program to help kids in need."

“The scholarship money for the Invest in Kids Act comes from private donations and amounts to just 0.9 percent of the budget for public schools. It does not use existing tax dollars or take away any funding from public schools. Illinois Education Association opposition to the Invest in Kids Act is a disgrace. We call on our colleagues to do right by our students, expand this program and make it permanent.”

The program offers educational opportunities to 9,600 economically disadvantaged students who would not have access to private schools otherwise. The program faces strong opposition from teachers’ unions, with Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates being among its vocal critics. She has been criticized for using racially charged language when referring to private schools, labeling them as “Segregation Academies.” However, Davis Gates has faced accusations of hypocrisy for choosing to send her own children to private schools despite her strong opposition to school choice for others.

According to a report by Illinois Policy, the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program predominantly benefits minority students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with 53% of recipients being of Black or Hispanic heritage. The program has been praised for its positive impact on disadvantaged neighborhoods and the importance of helping families access quality education.

“I will support it if it comes to my desk to extend the program in whatever form,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “I mean, I can’t imagine it would show up in some form that I would be unwilling to. But again, the reality is that the legislature needs to go through this process.” 

Illinois Policy has called upon lawmakers to act during the veto session and extend the program.

The Chicago Tribune's Editorial Board has also called on lawmakers to extend and support the program, emphasizing its positive impact on disadvantaged neighborhoods and the importance of helping families access quality education. (Source)

As the debate over the future of the Invest in Kids Act continues, it remains to be seen how the proposed changes will be received and if the program will be extended to provide continued educational opportunities for underprivileged students in Illinois.