SHELBYVILLE, IL… State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) issued the following statement after filing House Resolution 427, a measure that urges Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois into the provisions of the Educational Choice for Children Act:
“School choice should not be dictated by bureaucracy and wealth,” said Rep. Halbrook. “The Invest in Kids Act was a solid and fundamental program that allowed students in low-income households to access quality education, which has not provided by their public schools, and was fully funded by donors, not taxpayers. Despite record-high per-pupil spending, Illinois’ public schools continue to fail too many students—especially those in low-income communities—and that is unacceptable. We need to introduce a solution and fast, which is why I filed HR 427.”
The Educational Choice for Children Act, which was introduced at the federal level and contained in ‘The One, Big, Beautiful Bill,’ offers a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals that give money to scholarship grant organizations that help families pay for their children to attend the K-12 school of their choosing. Also included in the Act is a list of eligible educational expenses that a scholarship could help cover for families. Expenses like tutoring costs, educational therapies, and transportation and technology fees are all covered by the Educational Choice for Children Act scholarship program, a financial burden that would be lifted for so many.
Illinois, however, is no stranger to school choice and hosted a scholarship program from 2018 to 2023, called the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program. From its inception until its sunset, nearly 41,000 total scholarships were awarded to low-income students, allowing them to access other educational opportunities at little cost to their parents. The program was not reinstated and many students reliant on the scholarships were forced back into public schools.
“I am urging Governor Pritzker to allow Illinois to join 35 of our fellow states and opt into a program like the Educational Choice for Children Act—we owe it to the young and future generations of Illinoisans,” concluded Rep. Halbrook.
To follow the progress of the resolution, visit ilga.gov. With questions, please contact Rep. Halbrook at (217) 342-0220 or visit RepHalbrook.com.
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