Illinois Approves New Nuclear Reactor Development, Fails to Extend Private-School Scholarships

Nuclear reactors limited to 300 megawatts or less would be allowed under the nuclear legislation beginning in January 2026, addressing safety concerns from previous plan; meanwhile, the 'Invest in Kids' program fails to be extended, leaving the future of privately-funded scholarships uncertain.

• The Illinois House approved the development of new nuclear reactors, reversing a 1987 moratorium, with a safety plan that puts a state agency in charge of oversight and requires a study on the risks of new nuclear technology.
• Construction of small modular reactors, limited to 300 megawatts or less, will be allowed under the nuclear legislation beginning in January 2026.
• The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Lance Yednock, stated that nuclear power must be part of the state's alternative energy mix to reach its goal of carbon-free power production by 2045.
• Despite advocacy efforts, legislators failed to extend the $75 million 'Invest in Kids' program that provided needs-based scholarships for students to attend private schools, leaving its future uncertain.
• Funds for the 'Invest in Kids' program come from private donations that yield a 75% state income tax credit, with opponents, primarily teachers' unions, arguing this money should be invested in public schools instead.

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