Illinois’ 2024 budget took effect on July 1 and notably absent among the line items was an extension for a program improving the lives of thousands of working families. The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program, Illinois’ sole school choice offering, is now set to expire Dec. 31.
Eliminating the program, which allowed private citizens to donate money for low-income scholarships in exchange for a state tax credit,would force the 9,600 students relying on it – and the 26,000 families on a waiting list – back into schools that are failing them. For many, their only choices will be to stay stuck in the cycle of poverty and dependency or to move out of Illinois.
This radical decision to allow such a beacon of opportunity to expire begs the question: Why?
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