McLean County Times

House District 91 candidate Desi Anderson has spoken out against her opponent State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) regarding the loss of scholarships for local kids, emphasizing the impact beyond Chicago. Anderson questioned whether Chung supported the Invest in Kids program and if she attended a private school, urging the need for improvement.

“Did State Representative Sharon Chung support in Invest in Kids?” Anderson said on Facebook. “No, she didn’t.”

“Did Sharon Chung attend a private school? Feel free to ask her.”

Anderson's comments came as two Catholic grade schools in the suburbs of Chicago—St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero and St. Odilo School in Berwyn—announced their impending closure due to financial difficulties following the expiration of the state tax credit scholarship program for school choice, known as Invest in Kids.

“More than half the students at our two schools rely on these scholarships. These are hardworking families who want a Catholic education for their children,” Rev. Bartholomew Juncer, pastor of St. Odilo School, said, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Invest in Kids program provided grant money to cover students’ tuition fees. However, its discontinuation has left a significant financial gap for these schools affecting 164 students combined. The schools have been operational for a total of 196 years.

The program's expiration last November sparked concerns among Catholic school leaders about potential closures. This situation has fueled debates about school choice voucher programs' merits with supporters emphasizing opportunities for low-income families while opponents argue it undermines public education.

According to the Chicago Tribune, The Archdiocese of Chicago is urging state lawmakers to reconsider extending the tax credit scholarship program to support remaining Catholic schools.

The issue gained traction last fall when Illinois' General Assembly concluded its veto session without allocating funds for the Invest in Kids scholarship program, putting the educational future of 9,600 economically disadvantaged children at risk. The program faced opposition from teachers’ unions, disproportionately affecting low-income minority students in struggling school districts.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg voiced his support for the extension of the scholarship program, expressing frustration with the delay. 

"These kids will not be ignored. They will not be silenced," Niemerg stated.

Despite support from Niemerg and others, House Speaker Welch adjourned the session without calling a bill to extend the program. This move made Illinois the only state to roll back public funding for school choice. The lawmakers' inaction, including Senate President Don Harmon and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who both have sent their children to private schools, has faced scrutiny in light of the scholarship program's impact on students’ access to quality education, Prairie State Wire reported,

Anderson resides in Carlock's rural area with her husband Nick and manages a wedding venue situated on their property north of Heyworth. She brings prior experience from her internship with former U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis. According to Anderson, she is committed to pragmatic, liberty-focused strategies designed to tackle working families' challenges and farmers in the 91st State House District.