South Cook News

Patricia Bonk, a candidate for House District 30, has voiced her discontent with the Democrats over their inaction regarding the expiration of a state tax credit scholarship program. Bonk particularly criticized Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) for failing to address the issue during the veto session last fall.

“And the Democrats just sat on their hands and let this expire,” Bonk said on Facebook. “Speaker Welch did not even bring it up for review during the veto session last fall.”

Bonk's comments come in light of two Catholic grade schools in Chicago's suburbs - St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero and St. Odilo School in Berwyn - announcing their closure this summer due to financial difficulties following the expiration of the state tax credit scholarship program.

“More than half the students at our two schools rely on these scholarships. These are hardworking families who want a Catholic education for their children,” Rev. Bartholomew Juncer, pastor of St. Odilo School said, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program provided grant money to cover students’ tuition fees. However, its termination has left a significant financial void for these schools.

The closures will impact 164 students and mark an end to nearly two centuries of educational service by these institutions. The cessation of this program has stirred debate over school choice voucher programs' merits and demerits. The Archdiocese of Chicago is now urging state lawmakers to extend the tax credit scholarship program to support other Catholic schools, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Last fall saw no allocation of funds for the Invest In Kids scholarship program during the General Assembly's veto session. This decision put 9,600 economically disadvantaged children's educational futures at risk and was met with strong opposition from teachers’ unions. State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) fervently urged the House to extend this crucial scholarship program, emphasizing the urgency of saving scholarships for deserving students, according to Prairie State Wire.

Niemerg expressed his frustration with the delay and implored Speaker Welch, who controls which legislation gets a vote, to take action. 

"These kids will not be ignored. They will not be silenced," Niemerg said at the time.

Despite support from Niemerg and others, Welch adjourned the session without calling a bill to extend the program. This decision made Illinois the only state to roll back public funding for school choice. Senate President Don Harmon and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have also faced scrutiny for their stance on this issue, as both send their children to private schools.

Bonk is a cancer survivor who serves as a Team Leader for the South Suburban Cancer Walk and works as a registered nurse. She has also worked as an emergency responder and firefighter for the Villages of Lemont and Northwest Homer. Currently holding office as Trustee in the Midlothian library board, Bonk actively participates in the Midlothian policing committee, according to her website. She is challenging incumbent State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) for his seat in Illinois’ House District 30.