Illinois First State to End School Voucher Program Amid Criticism over Discrimination and Budget Issues

Program's Legislation Fails to Extend despite Supporters’ Protests, Citing Discriminatory Policies Endorsed by Schools and Funding Gaps of Over $75 Million

Illinois became the first state in America to shut down a school voucher program. The Invest in Kids Act allowed citizens and businesses to divert their tax contributions to private schools, effectively cutting a hole as large as $75 million in public funds.
The voucher scheme has faced criticism for facilitating discriminatory practices in the private schools it funds. Around 1 in 5 of these schools have anti-LGBTQ+ policies and the majority do not accommodate special needs students.
Legislation aimed at preserving the program was not passed before the Illinois House's adjournment till January 2024, effectively letting the program collapse.
Despite the program's termination, it had a notable level of support. Proponents of the scheme staged protests and a mixed group of organizations have planned to continue advocating for its revival in the next year.
Opponents of the program, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers, have praised its termination, arguing it diverted critical funds from public schools. Despite this success, arguments for school choice programs have recently gained traction in several other states.