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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO OPT-IN TO THE FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, in 2023, the State of Illinois became one of only a small number of states without any school choice program after discontinuing its private school choice initiative; and
WHEREAS, student academic outcomes in Illinois demonstrate a pressing need for additional educational supports and services, with only 41 percent of students in grades three through eight reading at grade level and just 28 percent meeting grade-level proficiency in mathematics; and
WHEREAS, by eleventh grade, fewer than one in three Illinois students achieve proficiency in reading or mathematics, highlighting continued educational challenges as students approach graduation; and
WHEREAS, the Educational Choice for Children Act established a Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program that allows private individuals and organizations to donate to scholarship-granting organizations in exchange for federal tax credits of up to $1,700 annually, with donated funds used to support educational services for eligible students; and
WHEREAS, participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program is voluntary for states, and students are only eligible to receive scholarships if their state elects to opt into the program; and
WHEREAS, donors may receive federal tax credits regardless of whether Illinois participates in the program; however, unless Illinois opts in, scholarship funds donated by Illinois residents will benefit students in other participating states rather than Illinois students; and
WHEREAS, if Illinois elects to participate, scholarship funds may be used by students in both public and private schools for a wide range of educational services, including tutoring, supplemental instruction, instructional materials and online coursework, educational therapies for students with disabilities, standardized testing and college admission exam fees, and dual-enrollment cours...
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