Andrew S. Chesney, Illinois State Senator for 45th District | Illinois General Assembly
Andrew S. Chesney, Illinois State Senator for 45th District | Illinois General Assembly
State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is urging Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into a federal school choice tax credit scholarship program. This call was made through Senate Resolution 383 filed in Springfield this week.
The federal initiative, included in President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," mirrors the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program that was dismantled by Illinois Democrats in 2023. This action affected over 10,000 families who depended on these scholarships for better educational opportunities.
“This federal program presents a critical opportunity to support educational freedom in Illinois without costing the state a single dime,” stated Chesney. He criticized Governor Pritzker for prioritizing appeasing teachers’ union bosses over helping children succeed.
The new program provides individuals with a 100% federal tax credit for donations to certified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These organizations assist families with private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and tutoring, offering options to working- and middle-class parents seeking better education for their children.
Senator Chesney filed Senate Resolution 383 urging the Governor to notify the U.S. Department of Education about Illinois's participation and establish a framework to certify SGOs within the state.
“Senate Republicans stood united in support of Invest in Kids because we believe every child deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code or their parents’ income,” Chesney remarked. “This new federal tax credit gives us a second chance to do the right thing.”
Chesney highlighted that the program does not affect the state budget as it is funded through voluntary private donations. Despite its benefits, he noted that Governor Pritzker has not taken action.
“There is absolutely no downside to this program,” added Chesney. “The only obstacle is the Governor’s stubborn loyalty to union bosses and his refusal to embrace true educational freedom."
Click here to read the resolution.
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