The Chicago Board of Education plans to vote on Apr. 6 on a resolution that calls on Governor JB Pritzker to reject efforts by the Trump administration to use public funds for private schools.
The issue is significant as it addresses whether Illinois should participate in a new federal tax-credit program that would provide incentives for donations supporting scholarships at private and some public schools. The debate reflects broader concerns about diverting resources from public education and other essential services.
The proposed resolution does not directly name the federal program but criticizes initiatives “to expand and incentivize voucher or publicly funded scholarships for private schools.” It also states that private institutions lack sufficient oversight and transparency. The federal tax-credit program in question would offer dollar-for-dollar credits up to $1,700 for donors contributing to scholarship-granting nonprofits, with eligibility based on family income levels. While federal officials say public schools could benefit, specific rules have not been finalized regarding how these funds may be used.
More than half of U.S. states have opted into the program, mostly those led by Republican governors. Colorado Governor Jared Polis is currently the only Democratic governor who has officially joined, while others are reconsidering their positions. Within Illinois, opinions are divided; Comptroller Susana Mendoza has advocated opting in through an op-ed, while Pritzker remains undecided and has expressed concerns about potential misuse of funds or support for discriminatory values.
Education advocacy groups have urged Pritzker not to participate in the program. Meanwhile, more than two dozen counties and townships included non-binding advisory questions about the initiative during recent primaries—most voters in those areas supported opting in. However, major urban areas like Cook County did not feature such questions on their ballots.
This debate follows the expiration of Illinois’ previous Invest in Kids scholarship program three years ago—a separate initiative allowing donations toward tuition aid at private schools serving low-income students.
