Illinois School Choice
Illinois supports families several school choice programs, including the Illinois Education Expense Credit and Invest in Kid Programs. “School choice” in Illinois primarily refers to the ability to choose among different public options (charter, magnet, and selective enrollment schools) rather than state-funded private options. The primary state-level financial aid for families is a non-refundable tax credit providing up to $750 per family annually for qualified educational expenses. The “Invest in Kids” tax-credit scholarship program expired on December 31, 2023 and is no longer accepting applications. Illinois has a state cap of 120 charter schools, and open enrollment between public school districts is generally not mandatory.
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.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Family
Illinois families typically navigate the school choice landscape based on their financial ability to pay tuition and their location, particularly given the limited state funding for private school options.
Families Seeking Private School
Current Reality: Since the Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program expired December 31, 2023, families must rely on private financial aid directly from schools or independent charities (e.g., Big Shoulders Fund).
Strategy: Apply for private financial aid as early as possible (often January), as funds are limited. Plan to claim the Illinois Education Expense Credit on your state tax return to recoup up to $750 of tuition costs. Be prepared to cover most tuition costs through personal resources.
Families Seeking Free Public Alternatives
Charter Schools: Look for charter schools within your district boundaries. These are ideal for families wanting a different curriculum without tuition costs. Application window typically January-April, with lotteries in April.
Magnet/Selective Enrollment Schools: In larger districts (especially CPS), these require early application (September-November, prior to enrollment) and may involve testing for selective enrollment. Free with no tuition charges.
Traditional Public Schools: Neighborhood schools remain open to all students without application.
Families Wanting Specialized Programs
Best Options: Charter schools (STEM, arts, college prep focused), magnet schools (themed programs), or selective enrollment schools (academically rigorous, competitive admissions in Chicago). All are free public options.
Families Transferring Between Districts
Constraint: Illinois does not have mandatory inter-district open enrollment.
Reality Check: Moving to a different public district usually requires moving your residence or paying out-of-district tuition, unless the receiving district has a specific voluntary transfer policy. Contact both districts to explore possibilities.
Homeschooling Families
Support: Homeschoolers are eligible for the Education Expense Credit for book and lab fees (up to $750 per family).
Access: Participation in public school extracurriculars is determined by local district policy, not state mandate. Some districts allow part-time enrollment; others do not.
Chicago Families
Critical Timing: CPS selective enrollment and magnet schools have a September-November application window, much earlier than other options. Don’t miss this deadline for access to Chicago’s best public school options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Invest in Kids” scholarship program still open?
No. The program expired on December 31, 2023, and no new tax-credit scholarships are being awarded by the state.
How much is the Illinois Education Expense Credit worth?
It is worth 25% of your qualified expenses (over $250), capped at a maximum of $750 per family per year.
Does the $750 tax credit apply per child?
No. The $750 cap is per family (per tax return), regardless of how many children you have.
Can I send my child to a public school in a different town?
Generally, no. Illinois does not have mandatory open enrollment; you typically must live within the district’s boundaries or pay out-of-district tuition. Some districts have voluntary transfer policies—contact both districts to inquire.
Do charter schools charge tuition?
No. Charter schools are public schools and are free to attend. They cannot charge tuition.
Do I need to take a test to get into a charter school?
No. Charter schools must accept students by lottery if they are oversubscribed; they cannot use entrance exams (unlike Selective Enrollment schools in Chicago).
Is there a voucher program for special needs students?
Illinois does not currently have a state-wide voucher or ESA program for special needs students outside of the public school IEP placement process.
Can homeschoolers get state funding?
Direct funding is not available, but homeschool families can claim the Illinois Education Expense Credit for eligible book and lab fees (up to $750 per family).
Can I claim the Education Expense Credit if I receive private financial aid?
Yes. You can claim the state Education Expense Credit even if you receive private financial aid, provided you still have qualified out-of-pocket expenses exceeding $250.
What happened to private school scholarships in Illinois?
The Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program expired December 31, 2023. Scholarship organizations like Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders Fund continue to operate as charitable organizations, but donations no longer qualify for the special 75% state tax credit. Families must now rely on private financial aid from schools and charitable organizations.
When should I apply to Chicago Public Schools programs?
The CPS selective enrollment and magnet school application window is September-November (fall prior to enrollment). This is much earlier than charter school applications (typically January-April). Don’t miss the November deadline.
What is the difference between charter schools and selective enrollment schools?
Charter schools are public schools that use lottery-based admissions and cannot require entrance exams. Selective enrollment schools (in Chicago) are academically rigorous public schools that use entrance exams and academic criteria for admissions. Both are free with no tuition charges.
Can homeschooled students participate in public school activities?
Participation in public school extracurriculars is determined by local district policy, not state mandate. Some districts allow it; others do not. Contact your local school district for their specific policy.
Is there a cap on charter schools in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois has a state cap of 120 charter schools.
When can I claim the Illinois Education Expense Credit?
The credit is claimed during tax season (January-April) on your Illinois Form IL-1040 (Schedule ICR) for the previous tax year.