East Central Reporter

State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has filed House Resolution 427, urging Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois into the Educational Choice for Children Act. Halbrook emphasized that school choice should not be limited by bureaucracy and wealth. He stated, “The Invest in Kids Act was a solid and fundamental program that allowed students in low-income households to access quality education, which has not provided by their public schools, and was fully funded by donors, not taxpayers.”

The Educational Choice for Children Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals who donate to scholarship grant organizations. These scholarships help families pay for their children to attend K-12 schools of their choice. The Act also covers eligible educational expenses such as tutoring costs, educational therapies, transportation, and technology fees.

Illinois previously hosted the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program from 2018 to 2023. This program awarded nearly 41,000 scholarships to low-income students before it ended. Many students who relied on these scholarships were then forced back into public schools.

Halbrook concluded with an appeal: “I am urging Governor Pritzker to allow Illinois to join 35 of our fellow states and opt into a program like the Educational Choice for Children Act—we owe it to the young and future generations of Illinoisans.”

For more information on the resolution's progress or inquiries, visit ilga.gov or contact Rep. Halbrook at (217) 342-0220 or RepHalbrook.com.