Will County Executive Committee Delays Vote on School Choice Referendum

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, postponed a decision on whether to place an advisory referendum on the March 2026 primary ballot regarding a federal school choice tax credit program, opting to continue the discussion next month.

Educational Choice Act Key Points:

• The Proposal: An advisory referendum asking voters if Illinois should opt into the federal “Educational Choice for Children Act,” which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship funds.

• Funding Mechanism: Donors would receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit for contributions up to $1,700, with the funds going to Scholarship Granting Organizations.

• Use of Funds: Scholarships could be used by students in public or private schools for tutoring, ACT/SAT prep, AP exam fees, dual enrollment costs, and educational therapies for students with disabilities.

• Next Step: The committee will reconsider the referendum proposal at its December 11 meeting.

JOLIET, IL – The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, tabled a decision on a proposed advisory referendum that would gauge public support for Illinois opting into a new federal scholarship tax credit program. After a robust debate among committee members, the proposal to place the question on the March 2026 primary ballot was held for further consideration.

Dylan Shy, representing the Illinois Policy Institute, presented the “Educational Choice for Children Act,” a federal program that creates a scholarship fund through privately donated money. Under the act, individuals who donate up to $1,700 to designated Scholarship Granting Organizations would receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit.

Shy argued that for Illinois students to benefit from these funds, the state must formally opt into the program, an action that would require support from Governor J.B. Pritzker. He stated that donations from Illinois residents would otherwise be directed to students in other participating states.

“We’re talking about millions of dollars in federal money that could help students in Will County without costing taxpayers a dime,” Shy told the committee. He outlined that the scholarship funds could cover a wide range of educational expenses, including ACT or SAT tutoring, AP exam fees, dual enrollment tuition, and therapy services for students with disabilities.

The proposal sparked a divided reaction. Board member Steve Balich voiced strong support, emphasizing that without state action, local donations would not benefit local students. “Why should I donate $1,700, get my money back… but then the money that I gave goes to somebody that lives in Texas, Indiana, Florida?” Balich asked.

Member Mark Revis framed the proposal as a necessary alternative in the wake of the state’s “Invest in Kids” scholarship program ending, which he called “wildly successful.” He argued the federal program would help children from disadvantaged communities and schools find better educational opportunities.

However, other members expressed skepticism. Sherry Newquist questioned the funding mechanism and voiced concern over its potential impact on public school resources. “I’m not in favor of anything that takes resources away from our public schools which so desperately need it right now,” she stated, although Shy countered that the program uses federal, not state or local, tax revenue and would not divert money from public schools.

Given the mixed feedback and the absence of several committee members, County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne recommended delaying a vote. “I do feel that there are some support and I also feel that there are some additional questions that need to be answered,” VanDuyne said.

The committee will take up the issue again at its next meeting on December 11, which is before the December 29 deadline to place referenda on the March 2026 primary election ballot