A major complaint from Republican legislators is that the new state budget doesn’t include the “Invest In Kids” program.
Invest In Kids began in 2018 as a pilot program, providing scholarships to low income families for their children to go to private school. It’s funded solely by donations from taxpayers, who in return get an income tax credit. The program is set to expire at the end of this year. Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa says he was stunned to learn Invest In Kids isn’t being extended.
“Because of the actions of this body or rather the lack of action over the coming months, thousands of families and kids will be struggling to go to sleep at night and question whether their scholarship, the hope to improve their lives, or if their dreams of a better education have been snuffed out.”
Rep. Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City says teacher’s unions are fighting the program.
“Don’t buy their misinformation. The money being donated for these scholarships, it isn’t state money. These are private donations. At no point in the history of this program has government schools received one less dime in funding.”
Supporters of Invest In Kids hope to extend the program when the legislature returns to Springfield for the Fall Veto Session.
