About this episode

The episode discusses the benefits of school choice in Illinois and the potential extension of the Invest in Kids program.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many Illinois parents to the concept and practice of school choice. What is school choice and why has it become such a politicized issue? Nathan Hoffman, director of state policy and legislative strategy for the American Federation for Children, joins us to discuss the benefits of school choice and why Illinois should extend Invest in Kids, a state tax-credit and school-choice scholarship program.

People in this episode

Host: Illinois Policy

Guest: Nathan Hoffman

Topics covered

• school choice
• education policy
• Illinois politics
• COVID-19 impact
• tax-credit programs

Keywords

• school choice
• Illinois
• education
• COVID-19
• tax credits
• Invest in Kids
• American Federation for Children

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Federation for Children, Invest in Kids

Places: Illinois

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• Is Chicago the Next Detroit? · December 9, 2025 · 32 min
• Inside the Decline of Schools, Safety, and Finances in Chicago · September 23, 2025 · 46 min
• These three things could fix Illinois in 2023 · January 11, 2023 · 14 min
• The Chicago Teachers Union's war on school choice · January 3, 2023 · 8 min

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