Posted by Michelle Manchir at 3:20 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate today approved legislation creating a small-scale voucher program that would provide money for 22,000 students at the worst-performing Chicago Public Schools to attend private schools.
The students would get a voucher equivalent to the minimum amount of money the state requires districts to spend on each child. The vouchers would be part of a test program and could be used toward expenses at any private school in Chicago that is willing to participate in the program.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. James Meeks, D-Chicago, passed 33-20 with 3 present votes.
Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, argued the bill doesn’t go far enough to correct the root problems in education.
"Maybe the problem starts at home," Jacobs said. "Are there vouchers so that we can replace the parents who aren’t doing a good job?"
The House now will consider the legislation.