Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) is celebrating the Illinois General Assembly’s decision to terminate the "Invest in Kids" voucher program. 

“IFT Applauds Illinois General Assembly for Ending Invest in Kids Voucher Program,” the Illinois Federation of Teachers said on X.

IFT President Dan Montgomery expressed the union's strong support for ending the Invest in Kids program, which subsidized private education for predominantly low-income minority students.

In a statement, Montgomery emphasized the importance of public education and the need to allocate resources to public schools.

“Even though the Invest in Kids program is ending, nothing prevents donors from contributing to private school scholarship funds and claiming any associated federal tax deduction in future years. In Illinois, we can now refocus on efforts to fund our public schools, which are still billions of dollars and decades away from being fully and adequately funded. Our message going forward is simple: Public funds belong in public schools that serve all students," Montgomery said in a press release.

“We will continue to work with our school communities and lawmakers to advocate for equitable educational policies that uplift every child and strengthen our public education system by fully funding it and opposing any voucher or voucher-like programs in the future.”

The IFT’s statement comes after the Illinois General Assembly concluded the fall veto session without allocating funds for the Invest In Kids scholarship program, placing the educational future of 9,600 economically disadvantaged children in jeopardy.

The scholarship program, which predominantly benefited minority students, faced opposition from teachers' unions.

The decision affects students, many of whom reside in failing school districts, who relied on the program for access to quality education.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) passionately urged the House to extend the vital scholarship program, emphasizing the urgency of saving scholarships for deserving students.

Niemerg expressed frustration with the delay and implored House Speaker Chris Welch to take action.

Despite support from Niemerg and others, Welch, who sends his own kids to private schools, adjourned the session without calling the bill for a vote, making Illinois the only state to roll back public funding for school choice.

Notably, Senate president Don Harmon and Gov. J.B. Pritzker send their children to private schools as well.

The IFT was joined in its opposition to the program by other teachers unions.

Illinois Education Association lobbyist Sean Denney was instrumental in opposing Invest In Kids.

Illinois Policy noted Denney, the IEA’s Director of Government Relations, earns $188,000 per year while opposing the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program and sending his children to a private Catholic school, highlighting the disparity between his income and the average family receiving a scholarship under the program.

Denney's actions were described as hypocritical and insensitive elitism, as he worked to eliminate school choice for low-income families while enjoying the option himself.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates was also adamant in her opposition to the program calling private schools “segregation academies,” despite sending her children to private schools.