Chicago City Wire

State representative candidate for Illinois' 88th District Regan Deering has made the preservation and expansion of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program a focus of her campaign.

As a mother of three and through her leadership roles, Deering said she has witnessed the transformative power of an excellent education and understands the value of quality schooling in shaping the future of students.

“I was fortunate to attend excellent schools that nurtured my love for learning. This schooling led me to a career in education, including teaching, owning a tutoring center, chairing my local public school foundation, and serving on my local school board,” Deering said in a press release.

“I’ve spent much of my life fighting for a quality education for all kids. As a mom of three and through my leadership roles, I’ve seen the transformative power of an excellent education.”

“That is why I am deeply concerned that the General Assembly is considering ending the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program, which provides a lifeline to countless children from low-income and working-class families.”

“We should not only maintain the Invest in Kids program but also expand it—looking to see how it can help kids in preschool and those with special needs. But that requires elected officials to lead on the issue and fight for it. If elected, I will be the kind of leader who does just that.”

“Access to a quality education should not be determined by whether you are lucky enough to be born in a good school district or to a wealthy family.”

“The Invest in Kids program provides a pathway for students, regardless of their circumstances, to attend a school that best suits their needs. Thanks to scholarships funded by private dollars, the element of luck is removed, and students can attend the school they choose where they have the best chance of excelling.”

“I understand and appreciate the value of our local public schools and the dedicated teachers who work tirelessly every day. But, statewide, only one in four third graders can read at grade level, and there are 53 schools where not one kid can do math at grade level, according to research from the nonprofit Wirepoints.”

“As the Decatur Public School Foundation Chair, I helped raise private funds and put them directly into low-income public school classrooms, helping foster growth, creativity, and hands-on learning.”

“We need excellent public schools. But we can’t wait for years as politicians try to figure out how to improve academic outcomes. Kids have one shot at the third grade. They need leaders in Springfield who will deliver access to the best possible schools for the most kids now — not someday or when politicians get around to it, but today.”

“That is where the Invest in Kids Act comes in. It isn’t a distant policy goal; it has an immediate positive impact. It addresses the urgent needs of the 9,500 students currently attending schools on scholarships and is working to help the 26,000 on the waitlist who are hoping and praying for a scholarship. Most recipients are minority students, and all have a demonstrated need for financial assistance.”

“We know a great quality education is a predictor of future life success and earnings. Should that be limited to those fortunate enough to reside in the school district that matches their needs or born into a wealthy or well-connected family? Should the American dream of independence, prosperity, and success be left to chance?”

“Or should we support and expand a program that provides parents and students with the financial resources necessary to make the best choices for them? Taking luck out of the equation.”

“As a former operator of a Huntington Learning Center in Decatur and with a master's degree in education, I know that each child and their educational needs are unique. But I also know that with the right school and support, every child can receive a high-quality education that allows them to pursue their dreams.”

“It's a cause I've dedicated my life to. It's not luck we should be betting on. It's leadership.”

The Invest in Kids tax scholarship program allows for donors to receive a tax benefit for donating to a state maintained scholarship program for private schools for low income families.

It serves over 9,000 K-12 students who are the beneficiaries of the Invest in Kids Tax Credit.

The program is set to be phased out given Democrat leaders who removed the program’s funding.

“This is not something that’s been covered by the budget agreement. It’s something that still has time, potentially, but it’s not something that’s in the budget agreement,” Pritzker said at a press conference announcing a budget deal had been struck.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas criticized Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates for opposing school choice, especially the Invest in Kids scholarship program, despite sending her kids to private schools.

Vallas highlighted her hypocrisy and advocated for parental choice, emphasizing the need for better options for all children, particularly those with limited public school alternatives.

Davis Gates has used racially charged language in her opposition to school choice programs calling them “Segregation Academies.”

However, statistics tell a different story.

Hispanics over-represented and whites under-represented among Invest In Kids scholars, while black participation aligns with state demographics.

Of 9,348 scholarships, 14% went to black students, 24% to Hispanic students and 46% to white students.

Despite these statistics, the Illinois Education Association, a major opponent of Invest In Kids, ran Facebook ads seeking defunding of the program, claiming "more white students benefit.”