Nearly 55% of Illinois voters support the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. But it’s up to Gov. J.B. Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program. More voters supported than opposed it across all ages, regions, races and ideologies.
More than half of Illinois voters support the state opting into a federal program to let donors help students find extra academic help, according to a new poll.
Nearly 55% of 579 registered Illinois voters favor the state opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. The voters were polled Feb. 9-11 by M3 Strategies for the Illinois Policy Institute.
The poll also showed more support for opting in than opposition across all ages, regions, races and political ideologies.
What you can use these federal scholarships for:
- ACT/SAT tutoring and prep courses
- AP exam fees
- Dual enrollment for students pursuing trade school
A majority of respondents across every age category favor opting into the scholarships, with voters ages 18 to 30 expressing the most support.
While respondents who identified as liberal support opting in at lower rates, nearly half of those who identified as somewhat liberal and about 44% who identified as very liberal support it — larger shares than oppose it.
Support for opting in extended statewide. More than half of polled voters in Chicago, the suburbs, the collar counties and Southern Illinois favor opting in.
While support was lower among Northern and Central Illinoisans, nearly 50% of Northern Illinois residents and about 47% in Central Illinois favor opting in — again, more than oppose it.
Illinois has until Jan. 1 to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. Doing so would mean students could begin taking advantage of these extra education dollars as soon as next year.
Students in public or private schools can use the scholarship money for educational services such as tutoring, additional educational classes, books or online educational materials, fees for standardized or college admissions exams and fees for dual enrollment.
That means public school students who may be struggling in certain academic areas or needing extra help or materials won’t have to leave their local public school for the support or opportunities they need.
The money also can be used for educational therapies for students with disabilities enrolled in the public school system or in a private or homeschool.
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program will not divert federal or state money from public schools. There is no cost to states — only the benefit of more help for students.
The scholarships are donated by taxpayers, who will get an annual dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for a qualified contribution to a scholarship-granting organization.
Whether or not Illinois opts into the program, state residents can still get the tax credit. But the scholarship money would go elsewhere. No Illinois students would be eligible for the funds.
The tax credit is federal and will take effect no matter what Illinois decides. With broad support for opting in among Illinois, state leaders’ response should be clear.
