A new federal law could give Illinois parents funds to help cover the costs of homeschooling, but only if the state agrees to allow it.
The Educational Choice for Children Act creates a federal tax-credit scholarship program that parents can use for homeschool expenses, but there’s a catch: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker must let them.
How the new law works
The act creates a permanent federal tax-credit scholarship program funded entirely by private donations. Some details:
- Individuals get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit up to $1,700 per year when they donate to certified scholarship granting organizations.
- The organizations then award scholarships to K-12 families with incomes up to 300% of the area median income.
- Scholarships can be used for many education expenses, not just private school tuition. For homeschoolers, that means curriculum, textbooks, online courses, tutoring, technology, special-needs services and more.
It’s a way to let private dollars follow families, giving parents more control and flexibility over their children’s educations.
There’s one roadblock: the program requires each state to opt in before families can receive scholarships. That means Illinois families will only see these donated dollars if Pritzker allows it.
Without action from the governor’s office, Illinois homeschoolers will be shut out. Families in other states will move ahead, including receiving the money donated by Illinois taxpayers.
What this means for homeschool parents
If Illinois opts in, homeschool parents could see thousands of dollars in scholarship aid to cover real needs, including:
- Curriculum and other instructional materials
- Books and educational materials
- Tutors
- Fees for college admission exams
- Specialized therapies for students with disabilities
This would make a huge difference for families who already sacrifice financially to give their children a personalized education at home.
Homeschool freedoms were protected this spring
Illinois parents know firsthand how fragile educational freedom can be. House Bill 2827, the so-called “Homeschool Act,” would have forced homeschoolers into new reporting mandates and opened the door for state intrusion into private family education.
Parents fought back. Tens of thousands of families spoke up, and lawmakers ultimately let the bill die when the legislative session ended. Homeschoolers kept their freedom, refusing to let Springfield bureaucrats dictate how they teach their kids.
That fight kept Illinois one of the freest states in the nation for homeschooling. But freedom alone does not pay for curriculum, textbooks or tutoring. That’s where the new federal program comes in.
A step forward if Illinois leaders let it happen
This spring, families stood together to stop HB 2827, defending homeschooling in Illinois. The state can allow resources to flow to parents and help them educate their children.
Illinois families deserve the freedom to teach their kids and the tools to do it well. The federal program delivers that, if Pritzker will let it.
Pritzker should let Illinois join the federal program. Homeschooling families fought to protect their freedom this spring. They should not have to fight again to access funds donated by private individuals through a program which Congress has already approved.
