School Vouchers Legislation Passes Senate Chamber

Legislation that could affect thousands of students in the lowest performing elementary schools in the City of

Chicago passed the Illinois Senate this week.  The measure, sponsored by Senator James Meeks (D-Chicago), would offer private-school vouchers to children in

Chicago’s 49 lowest performing schools – 10 percent of the schools in the city.

Senate Bill 2494 could serve as a tentative model for future development in

Illinois’ educational system.  If passed, the pilot program would begin in the 2011-2012.  In 2014, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) would evaluate the program and report their findings to the General Assembly. Families would be able to apply for vouchers from ISBE.