McHenry Times

Republican candidate Jerry Evans for the 11th Congressional District criticizes the Illinois legislature’s recent decision not to renew the Invest in Kids Act program, expressing concern over the impact on nearly 10,000 children from lower-income backgrounds. The legislature’s failure to allocate funds for the scholarship program faced opposition from teachers’ unions and disproportionately affects minority students in struggling school districts.

“Last week the Illinois legislature has sadly declined to renew the Invest in Kids Act program,” Evans said on Facebook. “This program allowed for people to donate to private and religious school scholarship programs and receive a tax credit for their support." 

"Without this tax credit, these institutions will not be able to finance scholarship programs for nearly 10,000 children from lower-income backgrounds. I strongly urge the legislature to reconsider their position and support these children’s educational journey.”

Evans’ 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 Welch to take action.

However, despite support from Niemerg and others, Welch adjourned the session without calling a bill to extend the program. Illinois is now considered as being unique - it's reportedly now the only state that rolled back public funding for school choice according to Prairie State Wire.

Senate President Don Harmon and Gov. J.B. Pritzker also attracted criticism; they both have their children enrolled in private schools but opposed efforts towards public funding of such choices.

With Invest In Kids' termination becoming official, Illinois is now the only state to roll back public funding for school choice, provoking a backlash from advocates of educational alternatives according to a report from Wirepoints.

The 11th Congressional District, which is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), encompasses most of McHenry and Kane Counties and parts of Boone, Lake, DeKalb, DuPage, Cook, and Will Counties.