Rockford Sun

Illinois state Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) is more than supportive of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program, stating how beneficial the program is. 

In a recent video, Sosnowski said that the program helps not only lower-income families but also those who wish to attend schools in a different district. 

“It’s a great program that’s been in existence a couple years, and essentially helps low-income families leave an underperforming district, or maybe a district they don’t want to be in, and take those scholarship dollars and chose where they want to go to school,” Sosnowski said in a video posted to YouTube. “And they have an option to go to private schools or other schools that would be non-public schools. It’s been a very successful program.”

Sosnowski argues the numbers of participation in the programs are increasing to back that up.

“In polling, over 60% of people support it,” Sosnowski said. “It’s hugely helpful to African American and Hispanic communities. It’s focused on income, but you know those communities are certainly helped. It helps our private schools too. It creates a nice option for families, and it really replicates off what we’ve seen in a lot of other states.”

Despite what he sees as challenges for the program, Sosnowski admits challenges will always remain.

“There are certain challenges in regards to the program," Sosnowski said in the video. "Certain people want to get rid of it, like the governor, but I think the popularity and the bipartisan support of the program is fantastic, and hopefully, we can keep the program going and growing for many years to come."

During his time in Springfield, Sosnowski has made keeping in tune with his constituents one of his top priorities. He recently hosted a “Coffee Talk with Joe in Boone County” with the voters of his district, a previous Rockford Sun report said. 

“Coffee talks are an opportunity for local residents to share their questions and concerns with me firsthand,” he said.