Quincy Reporter

State Representative Randy Frese (R-Paloma) has initiated a petition drive to demonstrate widespread support for Illinois' Invest in Kids scholarship program, which is at risk of being eliminated.

“This is the only ‘school choice’ option for Illinois parents who can’t afford private school on their own, but it was not included in the Democrats’ FY 2024 state budget package, and so is scheduled to be phased out in December,” Frese said in a press release. “Lawmakers will need to act during our fall veto session to save this scholarship program; and we need to send a strong message to Speaker Welch, Senate President Harmon, and to Governor Pritzker that our children must not be denied the same educational opportunities they themselves chose for their own children.” 

The program, enacted in 2017, provides income tax credits to individuals and businesses that contribute to scholarship-granting organizations, enabling disadvantaged students to attend non-public schools and technical academies in the state. Frese aims to show Democratic leaders and Governor J.B. Pritzker that school choice should be accessible to all families, urging lawmakers to act during the fall veto session to save the scholarship program.

“Illinois Democrats like JB Pritzker took away the opportunity for thousands of vulnerable Illinois children to learn in an environment that works for them. Republicans stand for educational opportunity!” The Illinois Republican Party said on Facebook.

The Invest in Kids tax scholarship program allows for donors to receive a tax benefit for donating to a state-maintained scholarship program for private schools for low-income families. More than 9,000 K-12 students benefit from the Invest in Kids Tax Credit. 

“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, according to Prairie State Wire.

Chicago’s Morning Answer host Dan Proft called out Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and other legislative leaders for sending their own kids to Catholic schools but eliminating funding for low-income students.

“Senate President Don Harmon's kids: St. Giles, St. Ignatius,” Proft said on Twitter. “House Speaker Chris Welch's kids: Timothy Christian. Why not OPRF or Proviso?”