Pritzker weighs Trump scholarship tax credit program
Gov. JB Pritzker considers joining federal program offering tax breaks for private school scholarships as public school advocates push back.
Title: Pritzker weighs Trump scholarship tax credit program
Gov. JB Pritzker faces mounting pressure to decide whether Illinois will participate in a federal program that offers tax breaks to donors who fund private school scholarships.
The program, created last year as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law, allows donors to certain scholarship organizations to reduce their federal income tax by up to $1,700. The scholarships can pay for private school tuition or public school expenses like tutoring and after-school programs.
At least four Democratic governors have already opted out, while public school supporters argue taxpayer money should not support initiatives that could reduce public school enrollment and funding.
“Public school advocates say taxpayer money should not be supporting a program that could decrease enrollment, and eventually funding, for public schools,” according to advocates opposing the measure.
The Trump administration and congressional Republicans champion the tax-credit scholarship program as expanding “education freedom” and providing families more affordable school options. The Archdiocese of Chicago supports the program, saying scholarships could give low-income families opportunities to choose schools that fit their children’s skills and interests.
The federal government has not yet announced participation rules, and tax credits will not be available until next year.
Meanwhile, a Congressional Budget Office report revealed Trump’s National Guard deployment to Illinois cost taxpayers $21 million last year, despite troops remaining confined to bases during federal court battles. The report was requested by Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin along with nine colleagues.