Supporters of a new federal tax credit program called on Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday to allow Illinois families to access the money it generates to cover expenses at public and private elementary and high schools.Pritzker has said he will make a decision about Illinois’ participation after the federal government announces rules for it, which is expected to happen some time this summer. Thirty governors have already opted in, according to a tracker maintained by Education Week.Speaking at an event at a West Side private school, the advocates are pushing back on opponents who say the scholarships offered through the program amount to private school vouchers that could siphon resources and students from public schools.Illinois Families for Public Schools, a group that has advocated against the federal program, said the money could be used for tuition at private schools with unproven results. They also point out that a similar, now-defunct state tax credit program gave scholarships to Illinois students who attended private schools that discriminated against LGBTQ students and students with disabilities.But speakers at Thursday’s event focused more on how this program could help public school families pay for things like after-school programs, tutoring or school uniforms.They also emphasized that taxpayers in every state, including Illinois, will be able to get a tax credit of up to $1,700 if they donate to a scholarship-granting organization. But if Pritzker decides Illinois won’t participate, families in the state won’t have access to the new money.“At a time when Chicago Public Schools and many…

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Supporters of a new federal tax credit program called on Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday to allow Illinois families to access the money it generates to cover expenses at public and private elementary and high schools.Pritzker has said he will make a decision about Illinois’ participation after the federal government announces rules for it, which is expected to happen some time this summer. Thirty governors have already opted in, according to a tracker maintained by Education Week.Speaking at an event at a West Side private school, the advocates are pushing back on opponents who say the scholarships offered through the program amount to private school vouchers that could siphon resources and students from public schools.Illinois Families for Public Schools, a group that has advocated against the federal program, said the money could be used for tuition at private schools with unproven results. They also point out that a similar, now-defunct state tax credit program gave scholarships to Illinois students who attended private schools that discriminated against LGBTQ students and students with disabilities.But speakers at Thursday’s event focused more on how this program could help public school families pay for things like after-school programs, tutoring or school uniforms.They also emphasized that taxpayers in every state, including Illinois, will be able to get a tax credit of up to $1,700 if they donate to a scholarship-granting organization. But if Pritzker decides Illinois won’t participate, families in the state won’t have access to the new money.“At a time when Chicago Public Schools and many…

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