Testimony: Scholarship program a ‘remarkable opportunity’

Cook County’s commissioners can voice support for education funding to students across the state

The Cook County Board now has before it the opportunity to formally recommend that the state to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program.

A resolution to do so was supported in testimony by Josh Bandoch, head of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. The commissioners will consider the program in April.

Here is the text of Bandoch’s testimony:

Comments on supporting Cook County urging the state of Illinois to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, Resolution 26-0974.

We have a remarkable opportunity to promote equity and bring much-needed money to our public schools before us. We can bring precious resources to our students to help them thrive and unleash their potential. That’s why it’s imperative that the Cook County Board pass Resolution 26-0974 and encourage the state to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program.

Last summer, Congress created this program, whereby anyone can donate up to $1,700 to public or private schools and receive a tax credit. This money can support a wide range of educational services, including tutoring, supplemental instruction, instructional materials and online coursework, educational therapies for students with disabilities, standardized testing and college admission exam fees, and dual-enrollment course fees.

Scholarship money does not replace or divert local, state or federal education funding. It adds to it through private funding from members of our community.

This program will be fueled by the generosity of our neighbors and their passion for investing in our schools. Illinoisans are generous, and we should support that generosity.

Illinois residents support this program by wide margins.

Support for this scholarship program is bipartisan, too. Recently, Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza spoke out in favor of Illinois opting in.

A majority of states — (28) — including Colorado, Nevada and Virginia — have already opted in to the program, and more will undoubtedly follow.

If Illinois decides not to opt in, only our students will lose. That’s because Illinois residents can still donate money to support students in other states, since this is a federal — not state — tax credit. Rejecting free money for students is simply inequitable.

We know our students are struggling. They need resources. Illinoisans stand ready to provide those resources. Rejecting this federal program only hurts the people who need opportunity most — students, our future leaders and workers.

Support equity. Support opportunity and empowerment. Support this resolution.