Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he wants his state to continue its Invest in Kids scholarship program, but only if he doesn’t have to spend political capital to pass it. That’s the message between the lines of his statement last week that he wouldn’t block the program, which gives scholarships to more than 9,000 low-income students, if someone else in Springfield can make it happen.
Illinoisans don’t need the refresher on how a bill becomes a law, but they do need the Governor to do more than duck and cover. He could start by asking Democrats in Springfield to renew the program during their six-day veto session that begins this week.
Under amended legislation filed Tuesday, the program would be cut back to reduce the overall tax credit available to $50 million from $75 million. Contributions up to $5,000 would qualify for a 100% tax credit. Contributions over $5,000 would have their tax credit reduced to 55% from 75%. Donations over $5,000 earmarked for children in areas designated as “underserved” by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity would qualify for a 65% tax credit. Those areas have 35% of children living below 130% of the poverty line.