Empower Illinois

04/23/2025

Learn more about how the ECCA can help families and students across American ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Our mission at Invest in Education is to guarantee that every child in America has access to a great education. We believe that expanding school choice and education freedom for America's K-12 parents and students is the way to achieve this goal.

04/15/2025

Learn more about how the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)—a major federal bill that could create a nationwide tax credit scholarship program, similar to Illinois' former Invest in Kids program—can help Illinois families.

Mission and Vision Who We Are Invest in Education Coalition is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level. Invest in Education Coalition is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates at the federal level for legislation that will directly empowe...

04/09/2025

Nonprofit agencies that give private-school scholarships to low-income families say they expect Congress to pass tax credit legislation handing them $10 billion for another 2 million students.

The Educational Choice for Children Act would allow taxpayers to deduct up to 10% of their adjusted gross income and corporations up to 5% of taxable income as donations to private K-12 scholarship funds. It builds on policies in 21 states, including Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona, allowing similar deductions on state tax returns.

Nonprofit agencies that dispense private school scholarships to low-income families say they expect Congress to pass tax credit legislation giving them $10 billion for another 2 million students.

04/03/2025

The ECCA would create greater parental freedom and choice to determine their child’s K–12 education trajectory and future, uses the tax code to encourage philanthropic support to expand educational freedom and is a realistic approach that avoids increased federal spending, bureaucracy, and mandates.

That is a vision all Americans should embrace.

The Educational Choice for Children Act would add to existing benefits in the 33 states that have private school choice (15 of which have universal school choice), meaning choice would be available to more students.

03/31/2025

"The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) isn't just another bill — it's a lifeline for students like me who desperately need educational options to succeed. As a 17-year-old who has experienced both the crushing weight of a poor educational fit and the transformative power of school choice, I can testify firsthand why this act is so crucial for America's future."

Read Colton's story here ➡️➡️➡️

Colton Brown writes: When we prioritize educational choice, we’re not just investing in schools – we’re giving students like me the chance to thrive.

02/27/2025

Our mission is simple: Every child has easy access to the school that empowers them to reach their fullest potential.

The time for incremental change is over. Every child deserves access to the education that maximizes their potential.

Building a sustainable movement for choice requires bringing together everyone who wants better options for Illinois students.

School choice isn't a partisan issue—it's about basic fairness and lifting children out of poverty.

The Invest In Kids scholarship program is no more, but our work is just beginning.

Join us at empowerillinois.org

02/12/2025

Allow me to re-introduce myself...

Hi, it’s us, Empower Illinois.

We’re back.

Our mission is simple: We're working so that every child has easy access to the school that empowers them to reach their fullest potential.

The time for incremental change is over. Every child deserves access to the education that maximizes their potential.

Building a sustainable movement for choice requires bringing together everyone who wants better options for Illinois students.

School choice isn't a partisan issue—it's about basic fairness and lifting children out of poverty.

You’ll be hearing more from us soon. You can sign up to receive updates here ➡️➡️➡️ empowerillinois.org

Let’s get to work.

05/29/2024

Early this morning, the Illinois General Assembly passed the state budget and related bills before adjourning for the summer. Unfortunately, our proposal to improve the tax credit scholarship program called the Enhancing Equity in Education Act was not included. We know that this decision will have devastating consequences for many of you and we share your pain and anger. Know that we will not give up fighting for the ability of parents to choose the school that works best for their child. We will have more to say and do in the days and weeks to come.

SPRINGFIELD – May 29, 2024 – The following statement can be attributed to Bobby Sylvester, executive director at Empower Illinois: […]

05/22/2024

The tax credit scholarship program is being discussed in Springfield now! Call your State Representative and State Senator today and ask them to support the tax credit scholarship program!

https://p2a.co/ztjofpi?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR35yYoct-02WMj3TOtvNsV-_ErPtfAyTOpy6ZSJcmQJnkwrEgKmUVogF8U_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

IL legislators took no action to . Join me expressing your displeasure with their inaction.

05/18/2024

There is only one week left until the legislature adjourns for the summer and our opponents are working overtime this weekend to make sure the tax credit scholarship program doesn’t come back. We need you and your voice now more than ever! Please email or call your State Representative and State Senator today!

https://p2a.co/ztjofpi?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3XGb8Pa_NIYC5V4PjGQe-OykZiYD19qhn8oIgkhOc9r3a_-j9yX1JuXYc_aem_AdQA4BRyzAjF3tnGUbXN2hG_--MwTfNNcBiMGWjglgriEha0GC9xnDv8Qh4aN8FOJNZRmUmblmGL_VUG1PxJSvmK

IL legislators took no action to . Join me expressing your displeasure with their inaction.