Illinois currently has a tuition tax credit of up $500 for the cost of tuition and books for K-12 students. Unfortunately the $500 dollar tax credit does not really give parents the resources they need in order to choose a different school for their child. If we really want to give parents options, the resources have to be enough to send a child to not only their neighborhood school but a private, magnet or charter school as well.

School Choice Illinois is currently in the process of gaining support and pledging seats for a corporate tax credit such as the scholarship program that Florida has instated. We are talking to educational activists, business leaders, elected officials, faith-based leaders and of course, parents for their support and commitment. Once there is enough support for a corporate tax credit, the legislation process can begin.

The Cato Institute has written up a sample policy on tax credits. It gives a good idea of what we are aiming for.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-605-appendices.pdf

Right now, I think the challenge is understanding what School Choice really is and how to change the discussion surrounding the Choice Movement. Choice isn’t soley about vouchers and privatizing the public school system, it is about creating real options for parents and students in a way that will benefit the most disadvantaged families first.