SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Critics of an Illinois program providing private school scholarships say there's no proof it improves academic achievement. Opponents say it's a drain on public education and want it ended. “They take money out of the public coffers for public education, the schools that receive this money are not accountable, some of them exclude students with special needs. It's not a good use of public dollars.”Bridget Shanahan, spokesperson for the Illinois Education Association, stood by the group's position. Nothing prevents the lawmakers from restarting the program during its spring session, but there would be a disruption in scholarships.

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Persons: adjourns, Critics, John Curran, Curran, ”, Jaclyn Matthews, couldn't, Dan Montgomery, “, ” Montgomery, It's, ” Bridget Shanahan Organizations: Ill, COVID, Invest, Kids, Republican, Associated Press, Republicans, Pritzker, The Illinois, of Teachers, Illinois Education, Illinois State, of Education . Research, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Education Association Locations: SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Downers Grove, COVID