Letter from Cardinal Blase Cupich - Contact Governor to Opt-In to Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program

Dear Parishioners and Catholic School Families,

As our children head back to the classrooms, I am writing to you about a significant opportunity to find additional funds to both public and nonpublic schools in our state. Congress passed a new federal tax credit program for 2027 that could generate hundreds of millions of additional dollars for both public and nonpublic school students in Illinois. For Illinois to participate in the program, Governor Pritzker must opt in.

As an advocate not only for Catholic education, but also for the education of all Illinois children, I ask that you contact the Governor to ask him say “yes” to this program. It will give Illinois taxpayers the choice to contribute to programs that will help all children in our state and receive a federal tax credit for their donation. These funds are truly needed. They could help Catholic school families cover tuition, after-school programming, supplies, technology or other much needed items. Donations could also be directed to support programming and other needs for public school students and their families. It could benefit just about every child and every school in our state.

If Governor Pritzker does not opt in, you can still donate to programs such as this, but to receive the tax credit, you will need to donate to a school program in another state. Recent polling suggests that in one year, as much as $2 billion could be generated to boost education programming in our state. According to that same poll, if Illinois does not opt in, Illinois taxpayers may send as much as $1 billion for educational services in other states.

The program allows taxpayers a 100% federal tax credit for contributions up to $1,700. Any family earning up to 300% of the regional median income may qualify for scholarship assistance. This means more than 90% of all K-12 students would be eligible for support in Illinois.

According to our polling data, Illinois taxpayers will contribute to the program regardless of whether Illinois opts in or not. Shouldn’t Illinois dollars benefit Illinois school children? 

Please visit the link below for more information and to learn how to send a message to the Governor and ask him to opt-in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. You can also call the Governor’s office directly at (217) 782-6830.
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Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Blase Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago