UPDATED: Welch Wants 71 Democratic Votes Before Extending Invest in Kids
House Speaker Chris Welch speaking in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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A top House Democratic source says House Speaker Chris Welch is holding to an internal rule that would require 71 Democratic votes to extend the controversial Invest in Kids scholarship program, and it appears Democrats are nowhere near having that level of support for the plan.
Invest in Kids is a scholarship program where low-income kids are sent to private schools using tax-deductible donations to a charity. About 9,500 kids are taking part in the program this year.
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) told a southern Illinois radio station Wednesday morning there were only 17 Democratic votes to extend the Invest in Kids scholarship program.
Her office said that whip count came from supporters, but supporters tell The Illinoize they believe there are “far more” than 17 votes in the House Democratic caucus.
Add all 40 House Republicans to that 17 and you're still 14 votes shy of the 71 votes needed for passage.
If Welch were continue to hold to his internal rule requiring enough Democratic votes to pass a bill on its own, 71 of 78 House Democrats would need to be on board and, at this point, that looks like a near impossibility.
“There’s no way,” one House Democrat said Wednesday. “Just no way it happens.”
Sources said the Speaker and Governor Pritzker met Wednesday afternoon, but the Governor hasn't done much to move the needle on the issue.
You could see a push to grandfather kids currently in the program to be allowed to finish school, but that may wait until 2024.
UPDATE: As expected, the House adjourned Thursday without bringing up the Invest in Kids language.
