Every child learns differently. Some students need extra help after school. Others benefit from tutoring, specialized instruction, or educational technology that gives them additional support outside the classroom.
Illinois has an opportunity to help more students access those resources, and it doesn’t require raising taxes or creating a new state-funded program.
But Governor Pritzker must opt Illinois into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program.
The program allows private charitable dollars to fund scholarships that families can use for a variety of educational purposes, including tutoring, after-school academic programs, specialized instruction, educational technology, and other services that help students succeed. Those opportunities can benefit students attending public schools as well as those in other educational settings.
At a time when families are looking for every advantage they can give their children, Illinois should not turn away a program funded through voluntary private donations simply because of politics.
I was disappointed when Illinois allowed the Invest in Kids program to sunset. I heard from parents throughout my district who told me those scholarships changed their children’s lives. While that program helped many families pursue different educational options, it also highlighted something much bigger: every student deserves access to the support they need to reach their full potential.
This federal program gives Illinois another opportunity to help students without asking taxpayers to pay for it. More than half the states in the nation have already chosen to participate because they recognize that helping children succeed is bigger than politics.
Unfortunately, education policy in Illinois too often becomes a political debate instead of focusing on what is best for students.
This program does not take funding away from public schools. It does not require new state spending. It simply allows families and schools to access private funding that can provide additional educational support for children who need it.
Governor Pritzker has the authority to make that happen.
The question shouldn’t be whether a child attends a public school or a private school. The question should be whether we are willing to give students every opportunity to succeed.
I believe we should.
Governor Pritzker should put politics aside, put students first, and opt Illinois into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. Illinois families deserve that opportunity.