Chicago Public Schools could get massive federal funding boost to help students if state opts in
The CPS Board of Education could vote today to reject the help for Chicago students

CHICAGO (April 8, 2026) – The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education plans to vote today on a resolution urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reject opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program.

The program would allow scholarship funds for eligible K-12 students to be used for tutoring, test fees, career coaching, books and more. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the state could receive as much as $1 billion in scholarships to help public and private school students if Illinois opts into the program.

That means CPS could see millions of new education dollars to help thousands of families pay for education expenses. However, a majority of the board is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, which opposes the program.

Pritzker has indicated he’s waiting on more information from the federal government before making a decision.

Experts from the Illinois Policy Institute are available to comment on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program ahead of the vote. 

Background on the program: 

• Scholarship funds can be used for educational expenses, including tutoring, test preparation and fees, books, online learning tools, dual-enrollment courses, tuition and special education services including mental health services.
• It is not a traditional voucher program; scholarship funds are used by students from public, private or charter schools for a variety of services.
• Donors receive a federal tax credit up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, even if the state doesn’t opt into the program.
• At least 28 state leaders have already indicated they will opt into the federal program, including Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein from North Carolina also plans to do so.
• The program is popular among voters. Nearly 64% of Illinois voters in 33 jurisdictions supported opting into the program in a non-binding question on the March 17 primary ballot.
• If Gov. Pritzker opts into the program, public school groups could begin preparing to become scholarship-granting organizations, helping ensure they are ready to attract local donors and keep funds in their communities when the program takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Mailee Smith, vice president of policy and litigation at the Illinois Policy Institute, released the following statement:

“Given the significant benefits to Chicago Public Schools if Illinois opts into the program, school board members should fight to secure these resources for students. Instead, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union are working to prevent public school students from accessing hundreds of millions of dollars in new scholarships.

“This new federal scholarship program can help thousands of Chicago families pay for education expenses without taking a single dollar from the district and with no impact on the state budget. At a time when costs are rising, this program offers a practical way to help students access tutoring, test prep and career training.

“The Chicago Teachers Union’s influence is increasingly out of step with what Chicagoans want. As its political clout wanes, it should not be driving decisions that limit opportunity for students and families.

“Opting into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program would be a win-win-win for Illinois. It would provide scholarships to students, offer meaningful tax relief to donors and strengthen academic success across public and private settings without using any state funds. Gov. Pritzker has an opportunity to listen to Illinoisans and deliver real support for families across the state.”

To learn more about the FSTC, visit this link.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.