Senate Minority Leader John Curran, Senator Jil Tracy, and Senator Dave Syverson are urging Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program to expand educational opportunities for Illinois students and families at no cost to the state or public schools, according to a May 21 announcement.
“Illinois should opt into this federal program that provides scholarships to support educational services for low-and-middle-income families in our state,” said Curran. “There is no reason not to participate in this free program that will increase education investment and lower costs for Illinois families attending both public and private schools.”
The federal program allows taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit for contributions made to approved scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations can then provide scholarships covering tuition, tutoring, after-school programs, ACT and SAT preparation courses, classroom supplies, and specialized services for students with disabilities.
“There is no downside for Illinois students and families,” said Tracy. “This program can help fund tutoring, after-school programs, special education services, and safer learning environments while giving parents the ability to choose the educational setting that best meets their child’s needs.”
Syverson said, “I’m a product of public schools myself, but every child’s situation is different, and some families need another option. Illinois families are going to help fund these scholarships through their federal taxes either way, the question is whether Illinois students benefit or whether the money goes to other states.”
Curran has filed Senate Bill 3850 and supports Senate Bill 3776 as steps toward opting Illinois into the federal program. SB 3850 would require the Governor beginning January 1, 2027—and annually thereafter—to submit a list of scholarship-granting organizations to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury so that Illinois families can participate in the program. SB 3776 creates the Educational Choice for Children Act directing the State Board of Education to establish a list of qualified scholarship organizations while ensuring compliance with all necessary federal requirements.
Senate Republicans noted more than 31 states are expected to participate in this new initiative and called on Governor Pritzker to formally opt in so that implementation planning can begin.
Tracy was elected as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate in 2023 representing District 50 after replacing Steve McClure, according to the Illinois General Assembly.
