Illinois lawmakers push Pritzker on federal school choice program
[October 20, 2025]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker
to join a new federal school scholarship tax credit program, saying the
state “cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.”
In 2025, Congress passed a key Republican bill that included creating a
federal tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations.
States have to opt into the program set to begin in 2027.
Republicans, like state Rep. Adam Niemerg, are urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker
to opt Illinois into the program, warning that the state risks losing
out on millions in scholarship funds for local children.
"It's kind of like the Invest in Kids scholarship fund, but now it’s at
the federal level under the Trump administration,” Niemerg explained.
“They’ve allowed for a little bit of school choice under a federal
income tax initiative, just much like Invest in Kids.”
Niemerg said the state’s previous program, which served tens of
thousands of students, was allowed to lapse due to opposition from
special interest groups, particularly teachers unions.
“When Democrats refused to reinvest in a wildly successful program, a
tax-credit scholarship fund privately funded by Illinois residents, with
20,000 kids on the waiting list, they chose to shut it down under
pressure from special-interest groups and teachers unions,” said Niemerg.
“The Trump administration then took it federally, and that has now
passed.”
Critics, including Pritzker, warn the program could hurt public schools,
calling it a “major setback for students across the nation” in a recent
news release.
“Here in Illinois, we’ll do everything in our power to protect the
public education systems we’ve worked so hard to improve and continue
supporting students in every way we can,” said Pritzker in the release.
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Niemerg said the federal program could provide over $100 million in
scholarships for Illinois children, but the state must opt in to
benefit.
“They’re going to lose out on over $100 million in scholarship tax
credits, which are meant to help underprivileged kids escape failing
public schools,” Niemerg said.
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, introduced
House Bill 4099 to opt the state in, with strong support from
Niemerg.
“I think any school choice initiative is the right way to go. I
filed many school choice bills during my tenure, and I think school
choice is the way of the future,” said Niemerg. “Anybody pushing
school choice, whether they’re late to the game or not, I’m okay
with.”
Illinois students continue to lag in national testing, with 62% of
fourth graders below proficient in math and 70% below proficient in
reading, according to 2024 The Nation's Report Card results.
Niemerg said states with school choice consistently see better
results.
“Every state that has school choice has better numbers than
Illinois,” he said. “You have competition in that environment, which
breeds excellence and makes students better.”
According to a recent press release from Pritzker, the federal
spending bill cuts programs supporting working families, including
school nutrition and healthcare, while benefiting private school
donors.
The release notes that Illinois has increased K-12 funding by $2.1
billion and launched initiatives to improve teacher recruitment and
retention since Pritzker took office.
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