Bill > HB4200

This bill aims to support school choice in Illinois by establishing a mechanism for participating in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act's school choice tax credit program. The bill highlights significant educational challenges in Illinois, noting that a majority of 4th and 8th-grade students are below proficient in math and reading according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). It references the federal law that offers a tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for contributions to scholarship granting organizations, which can help families pay for educational expenses like tuition, fees, tutoring, and technology. The bill requires the State Board of Education, in coordination with the Department of Revenue, to create and publish a list of scholarship granting organizations by January 1, 2026, that meet the requirements of the federal law. The legislation is motivated by the belief that school choice should not be limited to wealthy families and seeks to provide opportunities for students trapped in underperforming educational environments. The bill builds upon the previous Invest in Kids Act, which awarded over 40,940 scholarships before expiring in 2023, and aims to prevent Illinois from falling behind surrounding states in educational choice opportunities.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4200&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104