Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling on House Speaker Chris Welch to bring a vote on an extension to the Invest in Kids tax scholarship program to the House Floor. The bill must be passed by the end of Veto Session on Nov. 9 in order to secure funding for over 9,000 needy students currently attending private schools.

"HUGE RALLY OUTSIDE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OFFICE. CALL THE DAMN BILL!", the Illinois Freedom Caucus stated.

The call to bring the bill to the House floor occurred a day after Illinois Freedom Caucus members drafted a letter demanding the bill’s passage. 

"As the Illinois General Assembly convenes for this year’s final week of Veto Session in Springfield, we must take action to support the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program before its’ sunset December 31st,” the Illinois Freedom Caucus said in a press release.

“The Illinois Freedom Caucus has been engaged in working out an agreement that addresses the concerns about enhanced targeting of the scholarships to the students most in need, and including a reasonable sunset where the program can be reviewed.”

“We appreciate Representative Guerrero-Cuellar’s willingness to put a proposal on the table. We support this legislation (HB4194) with the following amendments:”

“1. Maintaining the scholarship program’s credit cap at $75 Million”

“2. Allowing for a 65% tax credit for regular contributions, and 75% tax credit for contributions to an underserved area.”

“We remain committed to working with all sides to see this successful program extended in the most meaningful way. The children who are counting on us to protect their educational opportunities deserve an up or down vote on this bill.”

“The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich): Chris Miller (R-Oakland): Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville): Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), Jed Davis (R-Newark) and David Friess (R-Red Bud)."

“The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.”

Despite there being 26,000 children on the waiting list to receive the scholarship funds, Democrats in the House have proposed House Bill 4194, a compromise to scale back Illinois’ Invest in Kids program, reducing the annual funding from $75 million to $50 million and halving the largest possible donation tax to a scholarship fund from $1 million to $500,000. They also plan to adjust the tax credit to incentivize smaller donors and make scholarships more targeted toward students from low-income areas.

Senate Republican leader John Curran expressed a willingness to accept the proposed changes, recognizing the need for compromise to extend the program, although some ultra-conservative lawmakers prefer an extension and expansion of the program.

Last week witnessed a rally outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Chicago office led by students seeking attention towards the state’s only school choice program chanting slogans asking Governor Pritzker save their scholarships. The critics argue Pritzker’s inaction contradicts his own children's private schooling and his stance has sparked a debate on the challenges faced by low-income families seeking educational options.