WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 3147

Relating to broadband service infrastructure; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Marsh and 1 co-sponsor

HB 3147 makes the Invest in Kids scholarship program permanent, expands governance rules for organizations and schools, and adds immediate effectiveness via an emergency clause.

In committee upon adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3147

HB 3147 — Summary (Introduced 2/18/2025; Rep. Blaine Wilhour)

Purpose

HB 3147 reenacts and amends the Invest in Kids Act (a scholarship tax-credit program) and makes the Act permanent. The bill also makes conforming changes to the Illinois Income Tax Act and includes an emergency clause so the law would take effect immediately if enacted.

Key provisions

  • Reenactment and permanence

    • Reenacts the Invest in Kids Act (previously scheduled to sunset) and removes the scheduled repeal so the program continues indefinitely.
    • Amends Sections 40 and 65 of the Invest in Kids Act and adds a new Section 70 (text of new Section 70 not fully shown in the provided excerpt).

  • Definitions and program mechanics (selected highlights from amended text)

    • Defines core program terms such as “authorized contribution,” “qualified contribution,” “scholarship granting organization,” “qualified school,” and “eligible student.”
    • Eligible student income rules: initial eligibility requires household federal adjusted gross income not to exceed 300% of the federal poverty level; once a child receives a scholarship, the household threshold may not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level while the child is receiving a scholarship.
    • Scholarship amount limited to “necessary costs and fees” to attend a qualified nonpublic school, with the State Board able to issue rules for computation.
    • Scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) must be 501(c)(3) entities, must use at least 95% of qualified contributions for scholarships, keep contributions and related income in a separate account, and be approved to issue certificates of receipt.

  • Career & Technical Education (CTE) / technical academy provisions

    • Creates/clarifies recognition for “technical academies” and “jointly administered CTE programs.”
    • State Board of Education (ISBE) may determine whether a proposed program qualifies as a jointly administered CTE program based on alignment with workforce plans and industry-recognized credentials that meet wage thresholds (at least 70% of the State average annual wage).
    • ISBE must publish approved jointly administered CTE programs and act on petitions within 180 days.
    • A technical academy must obtain ISBE recognition within 2 years of registration to retain status.

  • Tax law conforming change

    • Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act (citation shown: 35 ILCS 5/224) to make conforming changes necessary to implement the reenactment (specific tax-credit mechanics are not detailed in the excerpt).

  • Effective date

    • Emergency clause: the act is effective immediately upon enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Families and students: low- and moderate‑income students (as defined by the income thresholds) who seek scholarships to attend qualified nonpublic schools.
  • Scholarship Granting Organizations: must meet stricter governance/use requirements (501(c)(3), ≥95% to scholarships, separate accounts).
  • Qualified nonpublic schools and technical academies: must obtain or maintain recognition from the State Board and may participate via jointly administered CTE programs.
  • Taxpayers: contributors who make “authorized/qualified contributions” and receive certificates of receipt (and associated tax benefits as implemented under the Income Tax Act) — the bill makes the program permanent so these tax-credit opportunities would continue.
  • State agencies: Illinois State Board of Education (rulemaking, program determinations, recognition) and Department of Revenue (administration/conformance to tax law).

Procedural status and timeline

  • Filed/introduced: February 18–21, 2025 (sponsor: Rep. Blaine Wilhour).
  • Read first time and referred to committees (Rules; Public Education); additional referrals earlier noted to Economic Development/Small Business & Trade and Ways & Means.
  • Legislative action: Read first time (3/20/2025); referred to Public Education.
  • Current status (as provided): In committee upon adjournment (6/28/2025).
  • If enacted, the bill includes an emergency clause and would take effect immediately.

Considerations

  • The excerpt does not include specific numeric tax‑credit rates, annual caps, or other fiscal limits; those details (if unchanged or adjusted) would be found in the full text or the referenced Income Tax Act changes.
  • The bill formalizes program elements (SGO standards, ISBE authority over CTE program recognition) and prevents a lapse in the scholarship program by removing the prior sunset.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.