More than two dozen counties and townships in Illinois are set to include a nonbinding question on their March primary ballots regarding participation in a new federal tax-credit scholarship program promoted by the Trump administration. The initiative, led by the advocacy group Illinois Policy, seeks to influence Governor JB Pritzker’s decision on whether the state should opt into the program.
The proposed ballot question asks voters if they support using privately donated funds for academic needs such as tutoring, test preparation, and educational therapies. The wording does not mention that donors would receive federal tax credits for their contributions.
At a public meeting, one of the campaign’s organizers stated that the main goal is to “send a signal” to Governor Pritzker about public support for the program. Dylan Sharkey, assistant editor at Illinois Policy, told members of the Grundy County board that “asking voters to weigh in would send a signal to other counties, to state lawmakers, and, most importantly, Gov. Pritzker that Illinois families deserve these funds.”
According to information from the Illinois State Board of Elections website, at least 24 counties and five townships will have some version of this advisory measure on their ballots.
The federal program would allow donors who give up to $1,700 to scholarship-granting nonprofits to receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits. These funds could be used for certain expenses for private school students as well as public or homeschooled children whose families earn up to 300% of the local median income. In Chicago, this threshold is roughly $233,000 per year.
However, many aspects of how the program will function remain unclear because federal officials have not yet finalized all rules. For example, it is still uncertain whether funds can be used for tutoring provided by public schools or must be spent with outside organizations.
Dick Simpson, professor emeritus of political science at University of Illinois Chicago and former Chicago alderman, commented: “If they’re all suburban, rural Republican or MAGA-leaning counties, then Pritzker is not going to pay much attention.” He also noted that including language about donor tax credits would better capture public opinion.
While participating in this program would not directly cost Illinois money from its own budget, it could reduce federal tax revenue during a period when other funding has been cut or withheld from local governments.
So far nearly half of U.S. states—most led by Republican governors—have opted into similar programs. Colorado Governor Jared Polis remains the only Democratic governor so far to do so officially; North Carolina’s governor has signaled his intent as well.
Jillian Kaehler, spokesperson for Governor Pritzker’s office said in an email: “Pritzker will evaluate the issue through a lens focused on affordability for working families and what best supports Illinois students, families and public schools.” She did not specify when he would make his decision.
Illinois Policy reported it contacted over 100 counties and townships about adding this advisory question; around 30 jurisdictions are expected to have some form of it on their ballots. Some areas use different wording—in Grundy County for example—the question inaccurately suggests that counties themselves can opt into the federal program rather than requiring action from the governor.
Drew Muffler, chairman of Grundy County board said: “It makes sense if people are looking for alternative school programs.” He also clarified he personally supports local public schools but recognizes others may feel differently about their districts.
Opponents argue that such programs could harm public schools financially since state education funding formulas are partly based on student numbers—and fixed costs persist even when enrollment drops. Cassie Creswell of Illinois For Public School Families noted many participants in voucher programs elsewhere come from more affluent backgrounds rather than needy families.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently visited Chicago Hope Academy—a religious private school—and said she is “not quite sure why every governor wouldn’t jump in and opt in for this particular program because it will really benefit children.”
Illinois previously operated its own tax credit scholarship effort called Invest in Kids between 2017 and 2023 before lawmakers allowed it to expire due to lackluster participation rates among donors compared with capped limits. Ike Muzikowski—principal at Chicago Hope Academy—said almost half his students lost scholarships after Invest In Kids ended but fundraising efforts helped fill some gaps: “Tax credit scholarships are what can sustain a school like Hope in perpetuity,” he said.
