Monday, Feb 05, 2018

The spring session of the Illinois legislature is only a few days old, and an effort to undo the new Tax Credit Scholarship program is already under way.

Senate Bill 2236 attacks the new program that allows low-income and working-class children to receive scholarships to attend a school of their choice by tying the program to the unpredictable budget process every year. Sponsored by state Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Plainfield, the legislation passed the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 30, and could be called for a vote before the full Senate at any time.

NOW is the time to contact your state senator, and urge him/her to vote "NO" on SB 2236.

Tens of thousands of parents have just applied for the new scholarships for their children, with the grants set to be awarded this spring for the 2018-2019 school year. Parents are now left wondering if their children will get a scholarship if they are awarded one.

Additionally, donors will be reluctant to make the contributions that fund the scholarships if the subsequent tax credit is at risk of being revoked because of the budget-making process.

Families across the state are affected by SB 2236, since every state Senate district contains at least three schools that are eligible to participate in the Tax Credit Scholarship program.

Please contact your state senator to urge a "no" vote on SB 2236.