The Federal government offers a scholarship program for kids wanting to attend a private school.
There’ a catch, however.
A state’s governor has to ask for inclusion.
JB Pritzker so far has refused to do so.
Probably at the behest of teachers’ unions, who don’t want competition with public schools.
Now comes Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza saying Illinois should opt in.
Mendoza argues that participation in the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program.
“If we decline, Illinois taxpayers may still participate in the program — but their federal tax credits would be tied to scholarship organizations in other states.
“In other words, Illinois residents will still take advantage of the tax credit, but only students outside Illinois will receive the benefit.
“From a fiscal perspective, that outcome is difficult to justify.”
Mendoza argues those “…who strongly oppose the Trump administration must recognize that Illinois benefits from recapturing federal tax incentives.
“Opting out means our Illinois children lose…
“Here in Illinois, there are two ways to opt in.
- State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Waukegan, has already introduced a bill to opt in to FTCS. Our General Assembly could pass that bill into law.
- The second method is also straightforward: Gov. JB Pritzker could choose to opt in at any time…
“As an Illinois Democrat, I support expanding opportunity for working families — especially when it doesn’t require raising taxes.”
That’s a pretty clear break with Governor JB Pritzker’s position.
