Southern Illinois News

State Representative Blaine Wilhour of Illinois criticized Governor JB Pritzker for ending a scholarship program that benefited low-income students, accusing him of defending a system that serves power rather than children. Wilhour's statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Gov. Pritzker, spare us the lectures on helping poor students," said Blaine Jacob Wilhour, Illinois State Representative for 110th District. "You ended a program that gave 10,000 low-income kids a lifeline out of failing, unsafe schools—because you're a coward. These scholarships changed lives. YOU took them away. This article is trash. It defends a system that protects power, not kids."

The Invest in Kids scholarship program, established in 2017, provided tax credits to donors funding private school scholarships for low-income Illinois students. According to Chalkbeat, its termination in December 2023 followed heated debate over its impact on public education funding and equity. Lawmakers ultimately allowed the program to expire amid union opposition and divided public opinion.

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Invest in Kids program served approximately 9,656 students and nearly 500 private schools statewide in its final year. Over $57 million was distributed in tax-credit donations, making it the largest school choice initiative in the state before its conclusion.

A state-commissioned report published by Chalkbeat found that academic outcomes for Invest in Kids scholarship recipients lagged behind their public school peers. Only 20.8% of scholarship students were proficient in reading compared to 30% of public school students, with similar disparities observed in math proficiency.

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, Wilhour is a Republican representing the 110th District since 2019. His record focuses on fiscal conservatism, expanding school choice, and advocating for increased parental control in education policy debates.