State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) spoke on the House Floor today to advocate for the extension of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Fund to continue to benefit 9,700 current students for a better education opportunity. He also would like to see the program expanded to help another 22,000 underprivileged children looking to receive a scholarship and attend a charter school in Illinois.
“All of us care about the education and well-being of underprivileged children and that is exactly who these scholarships help,” explained Rep. Niemerg to his House colleagues on Tuesday. “Ninety-seven hundred students received scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year and another 22,000 had to be wait-listed because the $75 million fund ran out.”
Niemerg added that $330 million has been raised in the last five years and the scholarships benefit some of the neediest families in Illinois. Niemerg is advocating the Governor and Democrats to expand the program, but at least extend this pilot program for those already receiving scholarships for better education.
Invest in Kids is a Kindergarten through 12th Grade scholarship fund created through a tax credit program. Illinois enacted the Invest In Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program in 2017 and the program offers a 75 percent income tax credit to individuals and businesses that contribute to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). The SGOs then provide scholarships for students whose families meet the income requirements to attend qualified, non-public schools and technical academies in Illinois. The Invest in Kids Act is set to end January 1, 2024 unless it is extended.
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about working families. I encourage all members of the House to support this very successful program,” added Niemerg.