Chicago school board votes against federal program to help students

Board urges governor to reject program that would provide donor money for academic needs of thousands of Chicago students.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:42pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty school hallway, with sunlight streaming through the windows and long shadows cast across the tiled floor, creating a mood of quiet contemplation around the debate over public funding for education.The Chicago Board of Education's vote against a federal program that would provide donor money for student academic needs casts a somber shadow over the future of educational resources in the city.Chicago Today

The Chicago Board of Education has passed a resolution urging Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reject a federal program that would provide donor money to support the academic needs of thousands of K-12 Chicago Public School students. The measure passed 15-0 with three members abstaining, despite concerns from some board members that the issue belongs on the legislative agenda rather than being rushed through.

Why it matters

The federal program would allow taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, providing financial assistance to students for tutoring, test fees, career coaching, books, and more. Rejecting the program would mean Illinois residents would watch this money flow to other states instead of benefiting Chicago students.

The details

The Chicago Board of Education resolution claims the program would divert public money to private education, but some board members indicated there is significant community interest and feedback that is '50-50 for and against' the federal program. Before the vote, a motion was made to table the resolution indefinitely, with one board member arguing the issue belongs on the legislative agenda rather than being rushed through.

  • The Chicago Board of Education passed the resolution on April 10, 2026.
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has until January 1, 2027 to decide if the state will opt into the federal program.

The players

Chicago Board of Education

The governing body of the Chicago Public Schools system that voted 15-0 with 3 abstentions to urge the Illinois governor to reject a federal program providing donor money to support the academic needs of Chicago students.

J.B. Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who has until January 1, 2027 to decide if the state will opt into the federal program that would provide donor money to support the academic needs of over a million Illinois families and students.

Jennifer Custer

A Chicago Board of Education member who indicated she has seen a lot of community interest in the federal program and that the feedback she's heard is '50-50 for and against'.

Ellen Rosenfeld

A Chicago Board of Education member who motioned to table the resolution indefinitely, arguing the issue belongs on the board's legislative agenda rather than being rushed through.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen a lot of community interest and the feedback I've heard is 50-50 for and against.”

— Jennifer Custer, Chicago Board of Education member

“I believe this issue belongs on our legislative agenda, not rushed through like this.”

— Ellen Rosenfeld, Chicago Board of Education member

What’s next

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has until January 1, 2027 to decide if Illinois will opt into the federal program that would provide donor money to support the academic needs of over a million Illinois families and students.

The takeaway

This vote by the Chicago Board of Education highlights the ongoing debate over public funding for education and whether programs that leverage private donations should be embraced or rejected. The decision by the governor will have significant implications for thousands of Chicago students and their access to additional academic resources.