Amid a contentious veto session, State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) strongly condemned Illinois Democrats for failing to secure funding for the Invest In Kids scholarship program, leaving the educational future of 9,600 economically disadvantaged children uncertain.
Wilcox criticized Democrats, accusing them of prioritizing private education for their own children while neglecting low-income students.
“We came to Springfield this fall to save Invest in Kids so the program could become permanent,” Wilcox said in a press release.
“Democrats who speak a great deal about equality in this state had an opportunity to ensure low-income students had equal access to a quality education, yet failed to do so. Many of these same legislators send their own kids to private schools, yet had no problem robbing their own constituents of that same opportunity. It’s shameful.”
“Parents are now going to have to make some very difficult decisions regarding school placement for their kids for the second half of the school year. For many, the choice is already made. Their kids will have no option other than to return to the school that was failing them prior to their receipt of an Invest in Kids tuition scholarship. Every Republican, Senate and House, wanted to lift the sunset date and make Invest in Kids permanent. The Democrats own this disaster.”
Wilcox’s statements came as the Illinois General Assembly concluded its 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 faced strong opposition from teachers' unions.
The decision disproportionately affects low-income minority students 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.
However, despite support from Niemerg and others, Welch, who sends his children to private schools, adjourned the session without calling a bill to extend the program, making Illinois the only state to roll back public funding for school choice.
Notably, Senate President Don Harmon and Governor J.B. Pritzker, both sending their children to private schools, have also faced scrutiny for their stance on the issue.
With the demise of Invest In Kids, Illinois became the only state to roll back public funding for school choice, prompting criticism from advocates of educational alternatives.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) celebrated the decision to terminate the program.
IFT President Dan Montgomery expressed strong support for ending Invest In Kids, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public education and allocating resources to public schools. However, the decision faced opposition from teachers' unions, highlighting the divide on the issue within the education community.
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