SPRINGFIELD, IL… Following reports that New York Governor Kathy Hochul will opt New York into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) renewed her call for Governor JB Pritzker to do the same for Illinois families.
“Even Democrat governors are recognizing this is a commonsense opportunity to help students and working families,” said Rep. Deering. “Illinois families already send billions of dollars to Washington. If Governor Hochul can put politics aside and fight to bring these resources back to New York students, Governor Pritzker should do the same for Illinois families.”
Deering also noted growing calls from Illinois media outlets, including the editorial boards of The News Gazette and the Chicago Tribune, urging Pritzker to participate in the program.
The federal program provides a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that help students access tutoring, books, career training, testing fees, and other educational opportunities at no cost to Illinois taxpayers.
“This is a chance to support educational opportunity, affordability, and student success without raising taxes on Illinois families,” Deering said. “This program is funded through voluntary private donations and federal tax credits, not higher taxes or cuts to public schools. It’s about helping students succeed and giving parents more flexibility at a time when Illinois families are already stretched thin.”