Scholarships for Kids Aren’t Corporate Loopholes

In 2017, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Invest in Kids Act–a balanced, bipartisan compromise to provide better equity in Illinois education. The Act established landmark school finance reform for public schools and provided more equitable access to quality, private schools for low-income and working-class families through tax credit scholarships.

With more than 20,000 scholarships awarded since the program began, the success and importance of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program in Illinois is clear.

Yet, during his February budget address, Governor Pritzker announced his proposed cuts to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which he misguidedly labeled as a “corporate loophole.” These cuts would virtually eliminate the program and rip away life-changing scholarships from thousands of low-income and working-class students. While these cuts would be devastating in any circumstance, the timing seems especially cruel. Many families who qualify for a scholarship have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and without these scholarships, their child will be unable to attend a school they know and love.

Students, like the 676 kids receiving a scholarship this year in the Diocese of Joliet, need more quality education options, not fewer during these challenging times. All of these families qualify based on need and simply want their child to attend their best-fit school.

That is why the Diocese of Joliet is urging state elected officials to protect the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Kids across the state have lost so much over the past year. Don’t add scholarships to the list.

Catholic Education Foundation : 815.221.6127 : 16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403: http://cefjoliet.org/