Report: Illinois lags neighbors in school choice after killing scholarships

By Tom Viz

08/28/2025

Illinois is among the few states to offer no private school choice scholarships after killing its Invest in Kids tax-credit program in 2023. The new federal Educational Choice for Children Act would again give Illinois families access to educational options.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

Congress gives school choice back to Illinois’ low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

07/14/2025

Illinois state lawmakers listened to teachers unions and killed school choice for over 15,000 low-income students in 2023. Now Congress has restored a scholarship program for needy kids, but Illinois leaders must allow families to access the money.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income students saved taxpayer dollars

By Hannah Schmid

10/23/2024

The Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars before it was killed by teachers’ unions, according to a new study.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Another parochial school forced to close without Invest in Kids

By Dylan Sharkey

04/15/2024

St. Bede School in Ingleside will shut its doors without the support from Invest in Kids scholarships. Even a $500K fundraising effort failed to save the school.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Report: Low-income scholarship students score better than public school peers

By Hannah Schmid

03/08/2024

A report shows low-income students receiving Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarships were more proficient in reading and math in nearly every grade in 2023 than low-income students in Illinois public schools. Their high school reading bested statewide scores.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Report: Illinois tax-credit scholarship students see largest year-over-year learning gains

By Hannah Schmid

03/05/2024

The Illinois State Board of Education released a late, flawed report on the Invest in Kids scholarship program. Despite comparing apples to oranges, the report shows the Invest in Kids program worked for low-income kids.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Lawmakers consider renewing Invest in Kids scholarships

By Dylan Sharkey

02/19/2024

A new bill would revive a scholarship program that was stripped from 9,600 low-income Illinois students, ending their best chances to attend schools of their choice.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Invest in Kids, school choice

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

By Brad Weisenstein

11/09/2023

Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program for over 9,600 low-income students will end at the close of 2023. But supporters vow to resurrect it during the upcoming legislative session.

TAGS: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, school choice

Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

By Brad Weisenstein

11/08/2023

About 150 students and advocates Nov. 8 were in Springfield chanting and trying to persuade state lawmakers to keep the Invest in Kids school choice program. Parents, educators and politicians made the case during a press conference hosted by Illinois Policy.

TAGS: education, Invest in Kids, school choice

Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2023

Illinois teachers unions want to end scholarships for low-income kids. They've funneled more than $21.5 million to current lawmakers who hold the decision in their hands, with nearly $1.5 million coming just since June 1. Will lawmakers stand with unions, or kids?

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Invest in Kids

Report: Illinois lags neighbors in school choice after killing scholarships

Congress gives school choice back to Illinois’ low-income students

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income students saved taxpayer dollars

Another parochial school forced to close without Invest in Kids

Report: Low-income scholarship students score better than public school peers

Report: Illinois tax-credit scholarship students see largest year-over-year learning gains

Lawmakers consider renewing Invest in Kids scholarships

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

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