The Invest in Kids Act: Noah Padilla graduated as Chicago Hope Academy's valedictorian this year. Noah's family is low-income, and Noah lives with the rare Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. He was not flourishing at his local public school and suffered bullying, and didn't get the support he needed to meet his education potential.  

Everything changed for Noah when he obtained an Invest in Kids Act scholarship that enabled him to attend Chicago Hope Academy. Noah says, “What sets Hope apart is our family-like community. We are fortunate enough to have the ability to form a bonded community through our gifts from God. From our leadership skills to our advocacy skills, to our talents, we willingly choose to support each other in everything we do.” Noah flourished at Hope Academy and will be attending Northwestern University next year with the goal of developing the skills to develop a cure for Loeys-Dietz.  

The Invest in Kids Act Scholarship has been a lifeline for thousands of low-income children otherwise trapped in inadequate rural and inner-city Illinois schools, providing them with the opportunity to attend the private school of their choice. However, the future of this crucial program is now dire due to the disappointing actions of our local State Senator, Julie Morrison, and State Rep, Bob Morgan. 

At a recent town hall meeting, both representatives should have committed to advocating for these children, but they instead favor an ideological and inhumane devotion to a government school monopoly approach.

A Program That Transforms Lives: The Invest in Kids Act Scholarship has been transformative for thousands of low-income children in Illinois. Over 9,000 children are currently attending their preferred schools that give them the best hope for a better education and high-quality life. The positive impact of this initiative for kids like Noah Padilla cannot be overstated, as it opens doors to a future of flourishing and success for kids who would otherwise be left behind.

Politicians Prioritizing Public Institutions: The recent town hall meeting with Senator Morrison and Rep Morgan revealed their lack of commitment to supporting the Invest in Kids Act Scholarship. They expressed a preference for allocating resources solely to public education institutions, disregarding the needs and aspirations of the thousands of children who depend on the scholarship program. This position is particularly cynical when considering Senator Morrison's ability to afford private Catholic school for her own children while denying the same opportunity to those in need. The representatives did leave open the possibility of changing their minds on this issue, and we will update you if they do.  

The Influence of Teachers Unions: The reluctance of Senator Morrison and Rep Morgan to support the Invest in Kids Act Scholarship can be attributed to their close ties to powerful teachers' unions. According to Illinois Sunshine, Senator Morrison has accepted $31,500 from the Illinois Federation of Teachers. At the same time, Rep Morgan has received $16,500 from the Lake County Federation of Teachers. Unfortunately, it seems that political contributions take precedence over the education and future of low-income children. This pay-to-play mentality perpetuates a system where organized labor unions win, but the most vulnerable students lose.

The Future of the Scholarship Program: While the Invest in Kids Act Scholarship could potentially be revised in a veto session later this year, it's highly unlikely. With a state legislature heavily influenced by teachers' unions, it is hard to see how these children will receive the advocacy they deserve. It is disheartening to witness the potential demise of a program that has transformed the lives of thousands of low-income students. 

Concluding Thoughts: The actions of State Senator Julie Morrison and State Rep Bob Morgan in failing to support the Invest in Kids Act Scholarship are deeply disappointing. By prioritizing public education institutions over the needs of low-income children, they have shown a lack of compassion and a disregard for the transformative power of education. Seeing organized labor unions' influence overshadow the well-being and future of the most vulnerable students in our state is sad. We hope these politicians reconsider their positions and prioritize the educational opportunities that can change lives for the better. After all, kids like Noah and thousands of others get only one chance for a high-quality education.