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."
