Dieterich, IL-(Effingham Radio)- State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is co-sponsoring House Resolution 427 calling on the Governor to join the Educational Choice for Children Act passed on July 4 as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and signed into law by President Trump.
“All children are not the same and many benefited from other educational choices made available with the ‘Invest in Kids’ program that the Governor and Democrats let die in 2023,” explained Niemerg, a member of the House Education Policy Committee. “The Governor throws around the word choice when it fits his political agenda, but he needs to remember that parents need to have choices for their children to learn in the best environment available to them and help their child be successful.”
Niemerg points out that the Invest in Kids program from 2018 to 2023 provided 15,000 scholarships for mostly low-income children in failing public schools in Chicago with thousands on a waiting list to receive a scholarship and open the door of opportunity. Despite record-high spending per pupil in the public schools, only 26 percent of low-income third through eighth graders can read at grade level and just 14 percent are proficient in math.
The Educational Choice for Children Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals who donate to scholarship-granting organizations that help families afford the K-12 school of their choice. The Act also defines a range of eligible education expenses that scholarships can cover, including tutoring, educational therapies, transportation, and technology. These costs could be significantly reduced through the program.
Participation in the federal program is voluntary. Each state must opt into the program to allow K-12 students to use scholarship funds in their state for private schools, tutoring or other educational support beginning in 2027. There are no caps on donating and the program has no expiration date.
“I am calling on Governor Pritzker to allow Illinois to join the 35 other states so far who have opted in to the Educational Choice for Children Act program because we owe it to every child in Illinois, regardless of their family’s income level, the opportunity for success,” concluded Niemerg.
To follow the progress of the resolution, visit ilga.gov. With questions, please contact Rep. Niemerg at (217) 813-6036 or visit RepNiemerg.com.
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