Rock Island Today

Democratic leadership's refusal to extend the popular Invest in Kids scholarship program is having a significant impact on private schools across the state. The closure of four private schools has been attributed, in part, to the loss of the Invest in Kids Scholarship program.

Notre Dame Academy in Belleville, St. Odilo in Berwyn, St. Frances of Rome in Cicero, and St. Ann in Nashville are the four schools that have recently announced their closure due to the discontinuation of the scholarship program.

The Invest in Kids scholarship fund was established as a result of a bipartisan compromise within a larger education funding reform law passed in 2017. Its purpose was to provide low-income families in struggling school districts with the opportunity to choose schools that better suited their children's needs. The program incentivized donations to K-12 scholarships by offering a 75% Illinois income tax credit on the contributions. Since its inception, the program has received over $308 million in private donations, granting more than 38,000 scholarships to low-income K-12 students.

Initially, the program was scheduled to expire at the end of 2023 without legislative action. Throughout the year, thousands of students and their families visited the Capitol, urging legislators to extend the program and allow them to continue benefiting from their new schools. Despite significant bipartisan support for the program, Democratic leadership refused to allow a vote on legislation to extend it.

Senator Anderson has been a staunch supporter of the Invest in Kids scholarship program and has actively worked to save it. He plans to continue advocating for new legislation that will reinstate the program, ensuring that students across the state have access to the best possible education that caters to their unique needs.

In response to the closures of the four private schools, Senator Anderson stated, "It is disheartening to see the impact of the discontinuation of the Invest in Kids scholarship program. This program was transformative for many low-income families, giving them the opportunity to choose the schools that provided the best education for their children. The closure of these schools is a direct result of the program's expiration, and it is a loss for both the students and the community."

The closure of these private schools highlights the urgent need for a solution to address the educational needs of low-income students in struggling school districts. The Invest in Kids scholarship program proved to be a successful avenue for these students to access quality education. It is essential that legislators reconsider the importance of this program and take action to revive it, allowing more students to benefit from the opportunities it provides.

The impact of the Invest in Kids scholarship program's discontinuation should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritize the educational needs of low-income students. By reinstating and expanding the program, Illinois can ensure that every child, regardless of their financial background, has the chance to receive an education that sets them up for success.

The closure of these private schools is a stark reminder of the consequences of political decisions on education. It is crucial for lawmakers to work together and find a solution that supports the educational aspirations of all students in Illinois.