Updates

Empower Illinois Response to Espinoza v. Montana Ruling

June 30, 2020, Chicago, IL – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark ruling supporting private education opportunities for all kids. In Kendra Espinoza et. al. v. Montana Department of Revenue, the Supreme Court reversed the Montana Supreme Court’s decision and ruled that state cannot bar students and families from using tax credit scholarships to attend the school of their choice.

“We are pleased to see the Supreme Court protect students’ rights and ensure that kids have the education opportunities they need to thrive. Kids find their best fit education in all kinds of schools: Catholic, Montessori, Jewish, arts, Lutheran, college prep and so many more,” said Empower Illinois Executive Director Anthony Holter. “Thanks to the Espinoza ruling, kids from low-income and working-class families can find the school that works best for them through tax credit scholarship programs, like the Invest in Kids Act here in Illinois. Every child, regardless of income or ZIP Code, deserves a quality education.”

Ms. Espinoza and her children, like many of the 30,000 kids in line for a scholarship in Illinois, sought the freedom to find the school that meets their needs. The top reasons families applied for a tax credit scholarship through Empower Illinois include:

• 73.8% of families were seeking a school with higher academic quality
• 62.2% of families were seeking a school with character/ values instruction
• 54.6% of families were seeking a safer school

The Supreme Court has removed a major barrier in the path to education options. But no family can walk that path alone. That is why Empower Illinois will continue to advocate for low-income and working-class families to have a voice and a choice in their children’s education.

About Empower Illinois

Empower Illinois is a statewide education policy and research nonprofit and Scholarship Granting Organization created to serve Illinois’ children through the state’s tax credit scholarship program. Children only get one chance at a quality education, and Empower Illinois’ mission is to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois.

Illinois’ Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in 2017 to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income or ZIP Code. Empower Illinois serves as a conduit for processing donations, scholarship awards and program compliance for approximately 91 percent of all recognized private schools in Illinois.

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Legislative Victory for Illinois Kids

Invest In Kids Act Remains Intact

May 31, 2019, Chicago, IL—With the end of legislative session, Empower Illinois—and the families, students, schools, and communities we work with—are excited to share that the Invest in Kids Act remains intact. With support from General Assembly leaders, Governor Pritzker, and many legislative champions, Illinois’ kids can continue to count on quality education options.

“More than 42,000 families who are part of the tax credit scholarship community won today,” said Anthony Holter, Executive Director of Empower Illinois. “Thank you to our elected officials for championing Illinois’ low-income and working-class families. And thank you to all the families and school leaders who supported the Save My Scholarship campaign. All kids in Illinois deserve a quality education that meets their needs, regardless of ZIP Code or family income.”

The Invest in Kids Act passed in 2017 as part of a bipartisan compromise to reform education in Illinois with landmark funding for public education and quality education options for all kids. The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income. The Act established a five-year, pilot tax credit scholarship program providing up to $100 million in scholarships for children from low-income and working-class families in Illinois. The tax credit scholarship program is funded through private donations, and donors are eligible for a 75 percent tax credit.

The demand for the program continues to rise. More than 42,000 kids are in line to receive a scholarship for the Fall 2019-Spring 2020 school year. For data about the program’s first year, please view Empower Illinois’ Year One Report.

About Empower Illinois

Empower Illinois is a statewide Scholarship Granting Organization created in 2017 to serve Illinois children through the state’s tax credit scholarship program. Empower Illinois’ mission is to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois. Empower Illinois advocates for families seeking brighter futures for their students and defends the education initiatives that serve them.

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Empower Illinois Releases Year One Report of Tax Credit Scholarship Program

The scholarship granting organization (SGO)’s report offers data on the successful, inaugural year of the five-year pilot program

February 26, 2019, Chicago, IL – Empower Illinois has released its year one report detailing the impact of the Tax Credit Scholarship program and other key education policy initiatives the nonprofit is working on to strengthen public and private school options for all Illinois students. Last year, Empower Illinois, the state’s largest SGO, awarded scholarships to over 5,459 students from low-income and working-class families for the Fall 2018-Spring 2019 school year.

The report highlights the significant demand for the program and breaks down scholarship applicant and awardee data by region. Key findings in the report include:

• Donation analysis:
  • At $61.4 million, including $45.2 million raised by Empower Illinois, Illinois’ Tax Credit Scholarship program has broken the national record for the most money raised of any first-year Tax Credit Scholarship program.
  • The average donation to Empower is $22,732, the median donation is$4,000, and the most common donation is $1,000.
• Scholarship data:
  • It would require more than $216 million to award a scholarship to every student who applied for one.
  • The average scholarship amount was $6,669.
• Awardee demographics:
  • 75 percent of scholarship recipients qualify for the Federal free or reduced-price meal program.
  • One in seven scholarship recipients has unique learning needs.
  • Average scholarship recipient comes from a family of four with an average income of $35,371, or 148 percent of the federal poverty level.

“This scholarship has helped so many families across Illinois make an active choice in their children’s education,” said Anthony Holter, Executive Director of Empower Illinois. “These scholarships give kids the opportunity to go to a school that works best for them, regardless of their income or ZIP code, and can make a huge impact in their future and Illinois’ future.”

The second year of the program is underway, with over 40,000 students already in line for a Fall 2019-Spring 2020 scholarship. To read the full report visit https://empowerillinois.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/02/EI_Y1Report_Digital.pdf.

About Empower Illinois: Empower Illinois is a statewide Scholarship Granting Organization created in 2017 to serve Illinois children through the state’s tax credit scholarship program. Empower Illinois’ mission is to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois. The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income. Empower Illinois serves as a conduit for processing donations, scholarship awards and program compliance for approximately 80% of all Illinois private schools. ###

Over 30K Students Apply for Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarships Within First Hours

Part one of the application launched at 7 p.m. on January 15, 2019

January 16, 2019, Chicago, IL – Tuesday night, over 24,400 families across Illinois visited the Empower Illinois website to complete part one of the tax credit scholarship application for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications were submitted for more than 30,000 students within the first few hours.

“This demand clearly illustrates both the need and support for this critical program, which makes quality education options accessible to low-income and working-class students across Illinois,” said Anthony Holter, Executive Director of Empower Illinois.

To date, more than $8 million and counting has been raised across all scholarship granting organizations (SGO) in the state. Empower Illinois is working closely with schools and donors to raise the private resources needed to support the demand by Illinois families.

One applicant commented on Facebook: “Hope we get another scholarship again. It’s been so helpful to our family this year.”

Last year, more than 33,000 students applied for tax credit scholarships through Empower Illinois, which raised in excess of $45 million of private funds. The state’s largest SGO was able to award 5,459 scholarships to students at 402 Illinois schools in the first year of this five-year pilot program.

“We heard first-hand from families about how life-changing this scholarship was to them and their children,” said Holter. “We look forward to seeing this impact continue to grow in the second year of the program.”

The second step of the application begins Friday, January 18. While not time-sensitive, Empower Illinois recommends completing part two, which involves uploading household documents, before January 28. Instructions on how to access the portal and begin part two of the application will be emailed to families who completed the reservation. Please visit www.empowerillinois.org/students/how-do-i-apply/. for additional information on the application process.

About Empower Illinois:

Empower Illinois is a statewide Scholarship Granting Organization created in 2017 to serve Illinois children through the state’s tax credit scholarship program. Empower Illinois’ mission is to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois.

The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income. Empower Illinois serves as a conduit for processing donations, scholarship awards and program compliance for approximately 80% of all Illinois private schools.

Age of Agility Summit to Highlight Need for Changes in Education

Empower Illinois and America Succeeds host leaders in business, education and policy to discuss modernizing education

Chicago, IL – On August 9, 2018, business leaders, policymakers and education reform advocates from around the country will come together to explore how technology innovations are impacting workforce needs across the country. Presented by Empower Illinois, America Succeeds and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this event will highlight the need for education systems to keep pace with the training and skill development required for the American workforce of tomorrow.

Advancements in technology, automation and artificial intelligence have caused shifts in the workforce, which consequently require a drastic change in how we prepare and educate future leaders. Children attend school to learn, grow and prepare for the real world, but the way the world operates continues to change at a rapid pace. It’s critical that these technological advancements are matched by changes in education to ensure students are prepared for the evolving careers that lie ahead.

The summit will confront these challenges with specific insights from some of America’s largest corporations including McDonald’s, Walmart and ExxonMobil.

Empower Illinois works to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois. The organization has championed a number of policy initiatives including tax credit scholarships for private K-12 tuition, teacher tax credits, gifted and unique learning initiatives and course equity programs.

“Demand for education innovation is strong from both parents and today’s corporate leaders,” said Myles Mendoza, President of Empower Illinois. “Our goal is to help each child receive an education that fits their specific needs, and a large part of that is teaching them in a way that prepares them for the workforce of the future.”

Together with America Succeeds, Empower Illinois is proud to support the Age of Agility Summit to call attention to the need for education reform among what is being called the second Industrial Revolution

“Technology is so much different and more advanced than it used to be, and that needs to be reflected in the classroom,” said Tim Taylor, President and Co-Founder of America Succeeds. “It’s critical that we recognize the changes that need to be made in education. It’s thanks to organizations on the ground level, like Empower Illinois, that changes are made and opportunities are created for kids of all backgrounds and learning levels.”

Children only get one chance at a quality education. Empower Illinois and their partners are committed to providing children with the education they need and deserve to succeed in the future.
For more information on the Age of Agility Summit, please visit http://ageofagility.org/event/summit-illinois.

About Empower Illinois:

Empower Illinois is a statewide Scholarship Granting Organization created in 2017 to serve Illinois children through the state’s tax credit scholarship program. Empower Illinois’ mission is to expand quality education options for low-income and working-class families of Illinois.

The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income. Empower Illinois serves as a conduit for processing donations, scholarship awards and program compliance for approximately 80% of all Illinois private schools.

About America Succeeds:

America Succeeds is a national network of non-partisan, business-led, policy and advocacy organizations that offer an informed and credible business voice for education in each state. America Succeeds works to ensure our nation’s public education system prepares every student to succeed in a competitive global economy. Learn more by visiting www.AmericaSucceeds.org.

Daly joins Empower Illinois board

MOLINE — Daniel Daly, President/CEO of SENB Bank, formerly Southeast National Bank, has joined the board of Empower Illinois, the state’s largest scholarship granting organization working with the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program. “My wife and I are focusing our attention on initiatives that benefit children and with Empower Illinois, families will have greater and higher quality choices to educate their children,” Mr. Daly said. “My goal is to help develop the resources needed to raise the funds to fully utilize the available Illinois tax credits and increase the education scholarships for those in need in Illinois.” Mr. Daly currently serves on several community boards and committees, including the board of directors of Renew Moline, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Regional Opportunities Council and the Board of Directors of SAL Children and Family Services. He also was a board member for the Boys and Girls Club in Peoria and chairman of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. “Dan has been a key community leader in Peoria and the Quad Cities region and we’re very excited to have him on the board,” said Myles Mendoza, Empower Illinois President. Mr. Daly, a CPA, is a graduate of Spalding Institute and Bradley University. He has led SENB Bank for the past three years. SENB has branches in Moline, Davenport, Bettendorf and Buffalo.

More than 33,000 Children Apply for Private School Scholarships

Empower Illinois reopens application process

February 28, 2018, Chicago, IL – Thousands of students and families throughout the state began the application process yesterday for K-12 private school scholarships. After just the first evening, Empower Illinois received applications on behalf of more than 33,000 Illinois students.

Tuesday evening marked the first day that students and families could submit their online applications to Empower Illinois to take advantage of the Invest in Kids Act. These scholarships cover up to 100% of private school tuition for low-income and working-class students throughout the state.

“Our mission is to provide as many students as possible with access to the school that best suits their needs,” said Myles Mendoza, Executive Director of Empower Illinois. “We knew demand was strong. Now that the system is operational, we will put every effort toward working with our network schools to raise the funds needed to meet this demand statewide.”

To date, the tax credit scholarship program has received over $45 million in pledged donations. Tax credits are reserved through the Illinois Department of Revenue and provide a 75% credit for each
donation. Donations are made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO’s) throughout Illinois, including Empower Illinois.

Tuesday’s application served as step one of the new two-step system that was designed to make the process easier and less stressful for parents. The organization’s first attempt at releasing its
application failed when demand caused technology problems.

“The success of the Empower Illinois scholarship reservation process is a real win for families across Illinois,” said Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. “I am thrilled by the evident high demand for scholarships. This clearly demonstrates the appeal of quality schools of choice.”

“People from across Illinois came together to make a real difference in the lives of our kids,” explained Scott Dabson, Director of Greater Rockford Area Lutheran Schools. “Our children are our future and we owe it to them to do everything we can to provide for a quality education.”

One mom on the Empower Facebook page noted ‘Thank you for this opportunity. Truly life changing.’

Empower Illinois scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and those still interested in applying are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The application can be found at
empowerillinois.org.

The Invest in Kids Act and subsequent tax credit scholarship program represents a major step forward in providing students the chance to get the quality education they need and deserve. The program was established as a bipartisan endeavor by Illinois lawmakers. Empower Illinois is committed to improving access to quality education for every child in every neighborhood.

EMPOWER ILLINOIS POLICY STATEMENT

Empower Illinois understands and appreciates the effort to resolve the recognition issue facing many private K-12 schools in Illinois. All quality private schools deserve access to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program provided by the Invest in Kids Act.

After the passage of SB1947, many private schools found themselves investigating how to participate in the tax credit program.

While many were registered with the Illinois State Board of Education, a significant number had not pursued recognition, a voluntary process many deemed unnecessary in the private school marketplace.

While Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto of SB444 aimed to allow these schools to participate this year, it went too far, decreasing the standard schools need to meet in order to participate, and imperiling the positive funding opportunities of SB444.

Empower Illinois believes that a compromise can be reached, which will increase the number of schools that can participate in the program without decreasing their quality, instead improving the standards that allow participation in the program. The compromise, if signed by the Governor, will also allow SB444 to become law.

EI urges legislators to refile SB444, with the following amendment added:

“Qualified school” means a non-public school located in Illinois and recognized by the Board pursuant to Section 2-3.25o of the School Code or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Board. A non-public school shall become a qualified school immediately upon being recognized by the Board or immediately upon having their accreditation status approved by the Board.

Accreditation, like recognition, is a detailed review process, but it goes further — it not only looks at the health and safety at non-public schools, but also a school’s academic quality.

Further, it is our position that if a school is recognized or accredited in the 2017-2018 school year, IDOR should allow SGOs to list these schools for donors to donate to, and for students to receive scholarships. Of course, SGOs would not be able to submit payment to these schools until they officially become recognized or upon adoption of the suggested amendment, accredited too.

This amendment would not unnecessarily hold up critical public-school funding in Illinois while also increasing the number, and quality of non-public schools that can participate in the first year of the tax credit scholarship program.

It’s a win-win for all; especially the children who are our priority.