From the League of Women Voters Illinois

The Invest in Kids school voucher program diverts up to $75 million from public education and sends public dollars to unaccountable, untransparent private schools, while over 80% of our public schools in Illinois are underfunded.

All children deserve access to a good public education. Public dollars should be used to support public schools, which open their doors to all kids without discriminating on the basis of religion, disability status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Invest in Kids diverts scarce state funding and undermines public education, a cornerstone of democracy. The state’s 874,000 low-income students are harmed by the public school funding shortfall.

The Invest in Kids Act, passed in 2017, contains a sunset date of January 2025. The fall veto session is the last opportunity for the Illinois legislature to preserve this program. Your legislators need to hear now that the program must end.

For more information, register to attend LWV of Illinois' webinar, “Why We're Fighting School Vouchers,” on Tuesday, September 26 at 6 pm. Invite your friends and neighbors to learn more about this vital issue for our public schools.

Check out this fact sheet to learn more.

And mark your calendars to join us for Lobby Day in Springfield on October 24!

LEAGUE POSITION

The League opposes proposals that would provide public funds for private schools.

State funding levels should be sufficient to enable districts to provide for all students an education that meets both standards established by the State Board of Education and legislated mandates.