Macon Reporter

On Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m., Arthur Christian School, located at 1637 State Highway 133 in Arthur, will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall event in partnership with the Illinois Freedom Caucus. 

The event aims to educate students, staff, and the local community about the legislative proceedings and issues in the State Capitol.

"Join the legislators of the Illinois Freedom Caucus as we partner with Arthur Christian School for a Town Hall Update on recent events in the State Capitol," said the Freedom Caucus.

The event description reads, “Arthur Christian School is partnering with the Illinois Freedom Caucus to educate students, staff, and the community on what’s going on in their State Capitol.” This event provides a unique opportunity for individuals in Arthur and the surrounding areas to engage with local legislators, discuss current state affairs, and gain insight into the legislative process. The town hall is expected to foster a better understanding of how state government operates and its impact on the community. The Illinois Freedom Caucus, known for its commitment to conservative principles and civic engagement, will be a key participant in the town hall, offering its perspective on various issues of significance in the state.

The Town Hall comes as talks about renewing the Invest in Kids tax scholarship program have hit a rocky patch. Despite there being 26,000 children on the waiting list to receive the scholarship funds, Democrats in the House have proposed House Bill 4194, a compromise to scale back Illinois’ Invest in Kids program, reducing the annual funding from $75 million to $50 million and halving the largest possible donation tax to a scholarship fund from $1 million to $500,000. They also plan to adjust the tax credit to incentivize smaller donors and make scholarships more targeted toward students from low-income areas. Senate Republican leader John Curran expressed a willingness to accept the proposed changes, recognizing the need for compromise to extend the program, although some ultra-conservative lawmakers prefer an extension and expansion of the program.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker faced criticism for blocking low-income students protesting in support of the Invest in Kids Act from entering his Chicago office. The Invest in Kids tax scholarship program, the state’s sole school choice program, is facing opposition from Democrats in the General Assembly, and critics argue that the governor’s actions are inconsistent with his choice to send his own children to private schools, highlighting the inequality in educational opportunities for low-income students.