ECCA in Illinois
Illinois has not yet announced a decision on the federal scholarship tax credit program. Also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), the program was enacted as IRC §25F and takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Governor
- JB Pritzker
- Democrat
- Status
- No decision yet
- Program begins
- January 1, 2027
- Federal tax credit live
What's at stake for Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker has not yet announced a decision on whether Illinois will opt in to the federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). The program goes live on January 1, 2027, and governors must submit a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each participating year.
If Illinois opts in, families across the state will be eligible for scholarships funded through the program, and federal tax dollars contributed by Illinois donors will stay in Illinois communities. If Illinois does not opt in, donors here can still claim the federal tax credit by giving to SGOs in other states — but those scholarships will go to students elsewhere.
Illinois residents, parents, educators, and taxpayers can let Governor JB Pritzker know they want Illinois to participate. The decision is annual: even if a governor declines initially, future years remain open.
Frequently asked questions about ECCA in Illinois
Does Illinois participate in ECCA?
Not yet decided. Governor JB Pritzker has not announced a decision. Governors can opt in by submitting a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each year.
Who is the governor of Illinois and what is their position on ECCA?
Governor JB Pritzker (Democrat) has not yet announced a decision.
Can Illinois residents donate to an SGO and claim the federal tax credit?
Beginning January 1, 2027, any U.S. taxpayer can claim a federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 per tax return for donations to a qualifying Scholarship Granting Organization, regardless of the state they live in. Because Illinois has not yet opted in, donations from Illinois residents would need to go to SGOs in opted-in states — funding scholarships for students in those states rather than in Illinois.
When does the ECCA program begin?
The Educational Choice for Children Act program begins on January 1, 2027. Donations made on or after that date are eligible for the federal tax credit. Each participating state's governor must submit a list of qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations to the U.S. Treasury by January 1 of each participating year.
Other states with the same status
States that have also no decision yet.
Learn more about ECCA
In-depth guides on how the program works, who qualifies, and how to participate.
- What is ECCA / FSTC?A complete guide to the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax …
- The federal tax credit, explainedHow the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), also known as the ECCA §25F credit, works for donors: $1,700 pe…
- Scholarship eligibilityWhich K–12 students qualify for ECCA scholarships, the income limits, what schools and educational expenses ar…
- Scholarship Granting OrganizationsWhat an SGO is, how organizations get designated by their state, the 90/10 rule, what compliance looks like, a…
- How states opt inHow a state opts in to the federal ECCA scholarship program: the governor's annual Treasury submission, legisl…
- ECCA for special-needs familiesHow families of K–12 students with disabilities can use ECCA scholarships to fund therapies, specialized instr…
Make your voice heard in Illinois
Contact Governor JB Pritzker and let them know that Illinois families want access to ECCA scholarships when the program begins January 2027.
Contact Governor Pritzker →