Dupage Policy Journal

Republican Congressional candidate Jeanne Ives is pushing a tax policy change designed to help families cover educational costs for their children during these uncharted times.

Now running against Rep. Sean Casten (D-Illinois) in the 6th Congressional District, Ives is proposing an increase to the state property tax credit of up to 25% until schools fully reopen.

“Parents need to supplement with tutors, supplies, enhanced technology, better internet, caregivers, enrichment courses and more,” she said. “We already have the property tax credit in law. All it takes to increase the credit is a simple, one-line bill.”

Ives said she can’t imagine why lawmakers would oppose the idea given the current circumstances.

“State legislators should jump on this ASAP – especially after they failed to enact any significant property tax relief last year,” she added.

With an increasing number of schools deciding to turn to virtual-learning models, Ives said many families need all the help they can get. The former GOP state representative and gubernatorial candidate has also proposed a plan that would increase the education tax credit from $750 per child to $2,500 per child for parents who fail to qualify for a property tax credit.

“There can be no debate about the increased costs to families of having children out of school,” she added. “Ultimately, this is about fairness. It is not fair to put the additional costs of off-campus learning on parents with no support from the state.”

Ives proposed a similar plan back in 2016 that garnered bipartisan support before being derailed by House Speaker Mike Madigan.  

“Let’s be clear, it is the State of Illinois who has created liabilities for local districts reopening, as state orders cannot be easily ignored,” Ives added. “I stood up for parents as a state legislator. And now – more than ever – parents are feeling the pinch of providing all that their kids need to thrive. If the state cuts off a significant amount of the resources their students would normally receive, it is only fair that the state provides families with some sort of direct support.”