BISHOP TROTTER TO LEAD OVER 500 SOUTHSIDE RESIDENTS, ILLINOIS FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY WILL PUBLICLY URGE GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO OPT ILLINOIS INTO FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM


BISHOP TROTTER TO LEAD OVER 500 SOUTHSIDE RESIDENTS, ILLINOIS FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY WILL PUBLICLY URGE GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO OPT ILLINOIS INTO FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

 

“Public and nonpublic students alike have educational needs that families and schools struggle to meet. We should have the ability to capitalize on a program that incentivizes investment in educational services and not have our money flow to surrounding states.”

 

“THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS, IT'S ABOUT BLACK AND BROWN KIDS WHO NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE MUCH NEEDED HELP”

 

 Sunday, October 4th, 2026 @ 10:45 AM

 Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago, 8621 S. South Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Il

 

CHICAGO, IL —Bishop Larry D. Trotter- Senior Pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago- will be joined by over 500 Southside residents, Illinois faith, education and community leaders today to call upon Governor J.B. Pritzker to opt Illinois into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program, saying participation would allow Illinois families to access new educational opportunities for students in both public and nonpublic schools.


Beginning in 2027, taxpayers may receive a federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying contributions to approved nonprofit Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Participating states identify qualifying SGOs, which use contributions to provide scholarships and other qualifying educational assistance to eligible K-12 students.


The program can support a range of educational needs. Federal guidance and the Catholic Conference of Illinois' existing public materials identify opportunities including tutoring, special education programs and services, educational technology, academic supplies and other learning supports. For nonpublic-school families, qualifying assistance can also include tuition.


“This is an opportunity to expand educational support for Illinois children regardless of where they attend school,” says Bishop Trotter. “Students need tutoring, technology, special education services and other learning supports today more than ever. Illinois should make sure that families here can benefit from this new federal program instead of this money going to other States.”


Families earning up to 300% of the applicable area median income may qualify as eligible students under the federal law. The Catholic Conference of Illinois has noted that, in many communities, this threshold could make more than 90% of K-12 students eligible for support.


Illinois' participation is voluntary. The IRS currently lists 30 states that have made advance elections to participate for 2027. The Treasury has said it expects proposed implementation regulations no later than the end of September 2026.


Coalition leaders stressed that the decision has consequences beyond whether Illinois creates a program of its own. If Illinois does not participate, Illinois taxpayers seeking the federal credit may contribute to qualifying SGOs in participating states. Those contributions would support eligible students in the states in which the SGOs are listed rather than students in Illinois.


“The choice is whether Illinois positions its own students to benefit from these new resources. Public and nonpublic students alike have educational needs that families and schools struggle to meet. We should have the ability to capitalize on a program that incentivizes investment in educational services, and not have our money flow to surrounding states.” Says Bishop Antonio Rocquemore of the Powerhouse International Ministries Church.


The coalition is urging the Pritzker administration to review the forthcoming federal rules promptly and take the steps necessary to opt Illinois into the program.


The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit takes effect January 1, 2027.

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