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11 Sivan 5759 - May 26, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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News
Illinois Passes Tuition Tax Credit Bill

by B. Isaac

Amid the continuing controversy over school vouchers, the State of Illinois is about to enact a law that would provide parents of non-public and religious school students with a different sort of financial assistance.

A bill that passed in the Illinois House of Representatives last week by a vote of 62-52, and that the State Senate had earlier approved by a 35-21 margin, would allow a per-family maximum $500 tax credit to help parents cover the costs of tuition, book fees or lab fees for their children.

Governor George Ryan has promised to sign the educational expense measure, which he made one of his campaign priorities last year. "This is a tremendous victory for school choice and for equity in education," said David Schnell, president of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois, which actively advocated for the tax credit. "For financially hard- pressed parents in our community, it is a major breakthrough."

Mr. Schnell, representing Agudas Yisroel, was among a number of community leaders from a variety of affiliations who traveled to Springfield, the capital of Illinois, to speak up on behalf of the bill.

He offers high praise for Governor George Ryan, House Speaker Michael Madigan, State Senator Ira Silverstein and the sponsors of the bill, Representative Kevin McCarthy and Senator Dan Cronin, for their innovative and dedicated work on the bill.

The new legislation is drawing national attention as well. "The Illinois legislature has reminded us," said David Zwiebel, executive vice president for government and public affairs of Agudas Yisroel of America, "that there is more than one way to encourage parental choice in education."

The credit, which will take effect in January 2000, will be available to parents who spend as little as $250 on education- related expenses for their children. Credit amounts will vary, depending on parents' expenditures, with the maximum $500 credit available to those whose expenses total at least $2,250.

Opponents of the new law contend, among other things, that it violates the constitutional mandate of separation of church and state. According to Mr. Zwiebel, however, the concept of giving parents tax breaks to help offset educational expenses has already been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, and it is likely that the Illinois law will withstand any constitutional challenge.

"The concept of a tax credit," Mr. Zweibel said, "is an idea that deserves careful consideration within the larger menu of school choice options."


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