By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers urge Gov. J.B. Pritzker to join a new federal school scholarship tax credit program, saying the state “cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.”

In 2025, Congress passed a key Republican bill that included creating a federal tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations. States have to opt into the program set to begin in 2027.

Republicans, like state Rep. Adam Niemerg, are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program, warning that the state risks losing out on millions in scholarship funds for local children.

“It’s kind of like the Invest in Kids scholarship fund, but now it’s at the federal level under the Trump administration,” Niemerg explained. “They’ve allowed for a little bit of school choice under a federal income tax initiative, just much like Invest in Kids.”

Niemerg said the state’s previous program, which served tens of thousands of students, was allowed to lapse due to opposition from special interest groups, particularly teachers unions.

“When Democrats refused to reinvest in a wildly successful program, a tax-credit scholarship fund privately funded by Illinois residents, with 20,000 kids on the waiting list, they chose to shut it down under pressure from special-interest groups and teachers unions,” said Niemerg. “The Trump administration then took it federally, and that has now passed.”

Critics, including Pritzker, warn the program could hurt public schools, calling it a “major setback for students across the nation” in a recent news release.

“Here in Illinois, we’ll do everything in our power to protect the public education systems we’ve worked so hard to improve and continue supporting students in every way we can,” said Pritzker in the release.

Niemerg said the federal program could provide over $100 million in scholarships for Illinois children, but the state must opt in to benefit.

“They’re going to lose out on over $100 million in scholarship tax credits, which are meant to help underprivileged kids escape failing public schools,” Niemerg said.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, introduced House Bill 4099 to opt the state in, with strong support from Niemerg.

“I think any school choice initiative is the right way to go. I filed many school choice bills during my tenure, and I think school choice is the way of the future,” said Niemerg. “Anybody pushing school choice, whether they’re late to the game or not, I’m okay with.”

Illinois students continue to lag in national testing, with 62% of fourth graders below proficient in math and 70% below proficient in reading, according to 2024 The Nation’s Report Card results.

Niemerg said states with school choice consistently see better results.

“Every state that has school choice has better numbers than Illinois,” he said. “You have competition in that environment, which breeds excellence and makes students better.”

According to a recent press release from Pritzker, the federal spending bill cuts programs supporting working families, including school nutrition and healthcare, while benefiting private school donors.

The release notes that Illinois has increased K-12 funding by $2.1 billion and launched initiatives to improve teacher recruitment and retention since Pritzker took office.