Board to place advisory referendum on federal scholarship tax credit before Madison County voters

The Madison County Board voted to put an advisory referendum before county voters asking whether Illinois should opt into a federal tax credit scholarship program that would create scholarship funds to support K–12 students’ academic needs.

Miss Wiley read the referendum language presented by the government relations committee: if Illinois opts into the federal program, private donations to scholarship pools would qualify for dollar‑for‑dollar federal tax credits (the presenter described donations up to $1,700 under the federal program). The referendum question would ask voters whether the state should opt in so eligible low‑ and moderate‑income students could access tutoring, test prep, therapies, tuition, books and similar supports starting in 2027 if the state weighs in.

Board members discussed eligibility: one member initially misstated that it applied only to private schools; the Chair corrected the record saying it would apply to private, public and homeschool students if the state opted in. Miss Lamothe said she had voted against the measure in committee but after further reflection would change her vote to yes.

Why it matters: an advisory referendum signals county voters’ preferences to state leaders and can influence whether Illinois chooses to opt into a federal tax credit scholarship program with implications for education funding and donors.

Next steps: The advisory question will appear on the primary ballot; the board did not bind the state’s officials or change state law.