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The
court last week said that Maine cannot exclude religious schools
from a tuition assistance program. The decision invalidates
provisions in 37 state constitutions that bar the direct or
indirect use of public dollars for religious schools.
“Maine’s ‘nonsectarian’ requirement for its otherwise generally
available tuition assistance payments violates the Free Exercise
Clause of the First Amendment,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote
for the majority.
Leslie Hiner, vice president of legal affairs for the
organization EdChoice, said Illinois does have a school choice
program funded by donors.
“In Illinois you do have a tax credit scholarship program that
has been operating for the last couple years, and it's growing,
which is a good thing,” said Hines.
The Invest in Kids scholarship program, which was created in
2017, gives a 75% tax credit to donors who fund a school choice
program. The program is set to expire at the end of 2023.
A recent measure the governor signed gives students already
enrolled in the program priority and gives schools more
flexibility in offering partial scholarships.
Despite sending his own children to private schools, Gov. J.B.
Pritzker has voiced opposition to private school vouchers and
charter school expansion. His effort to eliminate $14 million in
tax credit scholarships for low-income students in the program
failed, and state lawmakers instead preserved the program for
another year.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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