McHenry Times

The McHenry County Blog is slamming Gov. J.B. Pritzker for not including the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program in the state’s yet-to-be-voted-on budget. 

“That ‘still has time’ is code for the fall veto session, where Invest in Kids has virtually no chance of passing,” the blog said. “In a state where only 1 in 10 black students in public schools can read at grade level, the decision was one that only hurts poor children.”

The program serves over 9,000 K-12 students who are the beneficiaries of the Invest in Kids Tax Credit. 

“It’s more clear than ever whose interests the governor is serving," the blog said. "It’s certainly not the 9,000 kids who were served by the Invest in Kids program. Nor is it the taxpayers, who foot the bill for public schools that fail to educate most students.”

Pritzker has announced the intent of terminating the program.  

“This is not something that’s been covered by the budget agreement. It’s something that still has time, potentially, but it’s not something that’s in the budget agreement,” Pritzker said at a press conference announcing a budget deal had been struck, Prairie State Wire recently reported

The Tax Credit Scholarship Program allows its donors to obtain a tax benefit for donating to a state-maintained scholarship program for private schools for low-income families. Republicans are looking forward "to the sunset of this program being extended.”

“We the undersigned members of the Illinois General Assembly are expressing our support of the extension of the ‘Invest in Kids’ Scholarship Fund,” a letter signed by Republican legislators reads. “This is a shared priority of both caucuses which benefits the education of underprivileged children.” 

Before the May 19 budget deadline, State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) spoke on the House floor to support the Invest in Kids Scholarship Fund. 

“I want to continue voicing my enthusiastic support of our Illinois Invest in Kids Scholarship Fund,” Miller said on the House floor. “As many of our colleagues have said, this issue isn't about politics. It's not about Democrats and Republicans. It's not about left or right. It's not about liberal or conservative, but it's about the children, specifically underprivileged children and the children needing additional academic support.”

Miller added that the “General Assembly should be equally enthusiastic and extending and supporting the Invest in Kids Scholarship fund." He urged that they should sign the letter of support for the program. 

“These scholarships can benefit students who are academically gifted, but it also benefits nearly 1,000 students who have unique academic needs and learning disabilities," Miller said. "This program is incredibly diverse, with 60% of the scholarship recipients being non-white. This program is need-based. Two-thirds of the scholarship recipients have an average family household income at a moderately above federal poverty level. 70% of their scholarship recipients meet federal guidelines to be eligible for free or the reduced lunch program. These people who donate to this scholarship fund are enthusiastic about supporting the education of underprivileged children.”