Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is still undecided about whether the state will participate in a federal program that provides tax credits for private school scholarships. The program aims to reduce taxes owed by individuals who donate to scholarship funds, which can be used to pay for private school tuition or public school costs such as tutoring and after-school programs.
The Trump administration has championed this program as a way to expand "education freedom" and provide families with more affordable options, while at least four Democratic governors have already declined participation. However, Pritzker's continued indecision has frustrated advocates who are urging him to reject the program, citing concerns that it could divert students away from public schools.
On the other hand, some argue that these scholarships can provide low-income families with more opportunities to choose a school that fits their children's unique skills and interests. The Archdiocese of Chicago and others believe that the state won't lose money by participating in the federal program, which was not the case for Illinois' now-defunct Invest in Kids program.
However, public school advocates warn that taxpayer money should not be supporting a program that could have negative consequences for public schools. They point out that when students leave public schools for private schools, it can impact the district's ability to provide quality education, especially in rural areas where funding is already limited.
Critics of Illinois' previous scholarship program argue that some schools receiving taxpayer-funded scholarships discriminated against LGBTQ students and staff or did not offer services needed by students with disabilities. The director of Trans Up Front Illinois said that when Illinois ended its program, students who had received scholarships transferred out, contributing to ongoing enrollment losses at Catholic schools.
The tax credits in this new federal program won't be available until next year, but donors can reduce their federal income tax liability by up to $1,700. The law doesn't specify the size of the scholarships, and unlike other similar programs, they can support activities that cost money at public schools like tutoring or school supplies.
At least 27 governors have already announced participation in this program, while only four states – Hawaii, Wisconsin, Oregon, and New Mexico – have opted out. Governor Pritzker's decision will likely determine whether Illinois follows suit or maintains its stance against participating in the program.
The Trump administration has championed this program as a way to expand "education freedom" and provide families with more affordable options, while at least four Democratic governors have already declined participation. However, Pritzker's continued indecision has frustrated advocates who are urging him to reject the program, citing concerns that it could divert students away from public schools.
On the other hand, some argue that these scholarships can provide low-income families with more opportunities to choose a school that fits their children's unique skills and interests. The Archdiocese of Chicago and others believe that the state won't lose money by participating in the federal program, which was not the case for Illinois' now-defunct Invest in Kids program.
However, public school advocates warn that taxpayer money should not be supporting a program that could have negative consequences for public schools. They point out that when students leave public schools for private schools, it can impact the district's ability to provide quality education, especially in rural areas where funding is already limited.
Critics of Illinois' previous scholarship program argue that some schools receiving taxpayer-funded scholarships discriminated against LGBTQ students and staff or did not offer services needed by students with disabilities. The director of Trans Up Front Illinois said that when Illinois ended its program, students who had received scholarships transferred out, contributing to ongoing enrollment losses at Catholic schools.
The tax credits in this new federal program won't be available until next year, but donors can reduce their federal income tax liability by up to $1,700. The law doesn't specify the size of the scholarships, and unlike other similar programs, they can support activities that cost money at public schools like tutoring or school supplies.
At least 27 governors have already announced participation in this program, while only four states – Hawaii, Wisconsin, Oregon, and New Mexico – have opted out. Governor Pritzker's decision will likely determine whether Illinois follows suit or maintains its stance against participating in the program.
Illinois is like the wild card right now - 27 governors are on board with this federal program but Pritzker is still all over the place 
. If he doesn't join, we'll be left wondering why not 
. According to the numbers (
), since 2018, 44 states have participated in tax credit programs for private school scholarships, with a total of $1.4 billion provided 
. Meanwhile, about 1 in 5 students from low-income families attend private schools 
. Anyway, at least some governors are supporting these scholarships (
) - does that make sense to you? 
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I mean, think about it - when students leave public schools for private schools, it can lead to a brain drain kinda situation...where districts struggle to make ends meet and provide quality education to all students 
But at the same time, it's like, we gotta think about the public school system as a whole...and make sure we're not compromising quality for the sake of 'choice' 
. I'd love to see him make a decision that benefits everyone, though 
. Did you know that the program aims to reduce taxes owed by individuals who donate to scholarship funds? 
What if Illinois decides not to participate? 
. It's interesting to see how this program is going to affect the demographics in Illinois 
. Like, can't we focus on providing quality education for all kids without making it a competition? 
The idea that private school scholarships are somehow more "opportunities" than what's already available in our public schools is just not true 
. What about the kids who need extra help or support, like those with disabilities or LGBTQ+ students? They deserve equal access to quality education, not to be left behind because of a system that doesn't prioritize their needs 
.
. Let's hope he makes a decision soon so we can move forward 
We need to make sure our kids have access to quality education, not just the kind of school their parents want them to go to! 
. And what really gets my goat is when we start diverting taxpayer money towards something that could have negative consequences for our public schools. I get that it's meant to be a help, but at the end of the day, I'm not sure it's worth the risk 
... I'm all for giving families more choices, but not at the expense of our public schools 
... so yeah, governor Pritzker needs to make a move, stat