Say No to Federal Private School Vouchers

No Public Dollars For Private Interests

At Citizen Action/Illinois, we believe that public dollars should not go to private interests. That’s why we successfully opposed the “Invest in Kids” voucher program extension last year. Now at the federal level, Congress is considering the creation of a national voucher program that would redirect $10 billion in taxpayer dollars toward private institutions.

Here’s everything you need to know about the “Education Choice for Children Act” and why Congress should vote no on it ⬇️

What Are School Vouchers?

School vouchers are publicly funded subsidies that cover the cost of private education. This means vital tax dollars are diverted from public schools and given to private schools and religious schools. Vouchers come in different forms, like direct government payments, education savings accounts, and tuition tax credits.

Illinois created a 5-year voucher program called “Invest in Kids” in 2017, but the General Assembly declined to renew it in 2023 after facing significant opposition from parents, teachers, and public education advocates.

Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

What’s in the Bill?

The “Education Choice for Children Act” would provide individuals and corporations with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, which operates less like a tax incentive and more like a direct transfer of taxpayer funds away from the public education fund. The program earmarks up to $10 billion dollars for vouchers – money that is desperately needed by underserved public schools across the country.

3 Reasons to Ditch Vouchers

  • 1. There is no evidence that vouchers lead to greater student success.

  • 2. There is no public accountability for private institutions that receive public funding.

  • 3. By diverting taxpayer dollars, vouchers drain much-needed funding from our public schools.

Take Action – Contact Your Legislators

Congress could vote on the bill as soon as early January. Take action by telling your legislators to prioritize public education and vote no on a national voucher program.