Deering Backs Referendums Urging Illinois to Join Federal Scholarship Program
State Representative Regan Deering
Decatur, IL – State Representative Regan Deering is encouraging voters to support advisory referendums appearing on ballots in counties across Illinois asking whether Illinois should opt into a federal scholarship tax credit program that would help students access tutoring and other academic support.
“As a mom and someone who has spent much of my career working in education, I know that every child learns differently,” said Deering. “Strong public schools are important, but we should also empower parents with more options and more support when their child needs something different.”
The advisory question asks voters: “Should Illinois opt into a federal program that would provide public K-12, private school, and homeschool students with privately donated funds for academic needs, such as tutoring and test preparation, educational therapies for students with disabilities, tuition, books, exam fees or for other specified academic needs?”
The proposal would allow Illinois students to access privately funded scholarships through a federal tax credit program. Students could use the funds for tutoring, books, test preparation, therapies for students with disabilities, and other academic support.
The proposal comes after Springfield lawmakers allowed Illinois’ Invest in Kids scholarship program to expire, leaving thousands of families without access to scholarships.
Before serving in the legislature, Deering operated a tutoring and test-prep center in Decatur, working directly with students and families seeking extra academic support.
Illinois families already pay some of the highest property taxes in the country to fund education. Because nearly two-thirds of those taxes go toward funding schools, policies that expand educational opportunity without increasing taxes deserve serious consideration.
“Parents know their children best, and they deserve the freedom to choose the educational path that works for their family,” Deering said. “This program would come at no cost to the state and simply gives families additional tools to help their children succeed.”
Deering said the advisory questions give voters an opportunity to weigh in as Illinois leaders consider whether the state should participate in the federal scholarship program.
“As someone who spent years helping students improve their grades and test scores through tutoring, I’ve seen firsthand how the right support can change a child’s future,” Deering said. “These scholarships would give more Illinois families access to that kind of opportunity.”
