EDUCATIONAL CHOICE ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jason Bunting and 13 co-sponsors

The Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act boosts school choice by creating scholarship organizations, allowing families to access federal tax credits for educational expenses.

Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier

Overview

Bill Number: HB 4200
Title: Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act
Introduced by: Rep. Tony M. McCombie
Introduced on: November 10, 2025
Status: Filed with the Clerk

The Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act aims to enhance school choice options for families in Illinois by facilitating the establishment of scholarship granting organizations. This bill seeks to leverage federal tax credits to support educational funding for students attending K-12 schools of their choice.

Purpose and Intent

The primary goals of the bill are to:
- Address educational deficiencies in Illinois, as highlighted by the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which reported that a significant percentage of students were below proficient in mathematics and reading.
- Enable families, particularly those with financial constraints, to access scholarships that can help cover educational expenses, thereby promoting equitable access to quality education.

Key Provisions

Creation of Scholarship Granting Organizations:

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Revenue, will establish and approve a list of scholarship granting organizations that meet specific criteria outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This list will be published on the State Board of Education's website for public access.

Tax Credit Incentives:

The bill allows individuals to make qualified contributions to these scholarship granting organizations, which can qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Eligible educational expenses covered by these scholarships include tuition, fees, tutoring, educational therapies, transportation, and technology.

Implementation Timeline:

The list of approved scholarship granting organizations must be established and published by January 1, 2026.

Impact

Who is Affected:

Families seeking educational alternatives for their children, particularly those who may struggle to afford private schooling.
Educational institutions, both public and private, that may see changes in enrollment patterns as families exercise their school choice options.

Financial Implications:

The bill is designed to provide financial relief to families without imposing additional costs on the state, as it utilizes existing federal tax credit provisions.

Conclusion

The Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act represents a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities for students in Illinois. By establishing a framework for scholarship granting organizations and leveraging federal tax credits, the bill aims to empower families to choose educational paths that best meet their children's needs. The effective implementation of this act could potentially reshape the educational landscape in Illinois, promoting greater equity and access to quality education.

Bill