Illinois School Choice
Illinois supports families several school choice programs, including the Illinois Education Expense Credit and Invest in Kid Programs.
Illinois Education Expense Credit
The Illinois Education Expense Credit Program allows parents or legal guardians of full-time students under 21 years old who are Illinois residents and attend kindergarten through twelfth grade in Illinois to claim a credit for qualified education expenses exceeding $250. Parents can receive a tax credit worth 25% of their K-12 expenditures after the first $250 spent, up to a maximum credit of $750 per family. The credit covers qualified education expenses such as tuition, books, lab fees, and homeschooling expenses.
Invest in Kids Program
Illinois offers the Invest in Kids Program, a tax-credit school choice scholarship initiative that provides businesses with tax credits for their donations to scholarship-granting organizations. These scholarships enable students to attend private schools, funded through business contributions rather than automatic public funding. The Invest in Kids Program allows taxpayers to take a credit for their for donations prior to January 1, 2024. See details on the State of Illinois Department of Revenue site.