More than half of Illinois voters support the state opting into a federal program to let donors help students find extra academic help, according to a new poll.
Nearly 55% of 579 registered Illinois voters favor the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. The voters were polled Feb. 9-11 by M3 Strategies for the Illinois Policy Institute. […]
Illinois has until Jan. 1 to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. Doing so would mean students could begin taking advantage of these extra education dollars as soon as next year.
Students in public or private schools can use the scholarship money for educational services such as tutoring, additional educational classes, books or online educational materials, fees for standardized or college admissions exams and fees for dual enrollment.
That means public school students who may be struggling in certain academic areas or needing extra help or materials won’t have to leave their local public school for the support or opportunities they need.
The money also can be used for educational therapies for students with disabilities enrolled in the public school system or in a private or homeschool.
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program will not divert federal or state money from public schools. There is no cost to states — only the benefit of more help for students.
The scholarships are donated by taxpayers, who will get an annual dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for a qualified contribution to a scholarship-granting organization.
If Illinois does not opt into the program, state residents can still get the tax credit, but the scholarship money would go elsewhere. No Illinois students would be eligible for the funds.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has sponsored HB 4201and is a supporter of the program, pushing for Illinois' opt-in to access these scholarship funds.
The tax credit is federal and will take effect no matter what Illinois decides. With broad support for opting in among Illinois, state leaders’ response should be clear.