By: Jennifer Willems - June 6, 2019 -
News Article
Empower Illinois, Invest in Kids Act, Jerry Sanderson
Among the 14 schools from the Diocese of Peoria that were represented in the Save My Scholarship campaign was Blessed Sacrament in Morton. Principal Mike Birdoes (far left) was at the State Capitol on May 31 when Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced that the Invest in Kids Act had been saved. (Provided photo)
It’s safe. Despite threats to reduce the cap for donations by 50 percent or phase out the program, the Invest in Kids Act came through the state budget process unscathed as the Illinois General Assembly completed its work. “We’re extremely pleased that Gov. Pritzker has decided to keep the program intact and honor the original […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - May 10, 2019 -
Featured Article
Invest in Kids Act, St. Mark School Peoria, tax credit scholarships
Paying a visit to Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) on May 7 as part of the Save My Scholarship campaign are (from left) Bobby Sylvester, Empower Illinois' regional director working with Catholic schools in the Diocese of Peoria, and Dr. Noreen Dillon, principal, and Maria Carroll, parent, both of St. Mark School in Peoria. They are wearing the blue t-shirts with the logo for the campaign, which seeks to emphasize the importance of tax credit scholarships for nonpublic school families and the need to retain the program. (Provided photo)
Some things are so important that it takes more than a line item on a budget to understand their worth. Tuition tax credit scholarships for students in nonpublic schools are one of those things. As Gov. J.B. Pritzker prepares his first state budget, concern is growing that this program will be endangered due to a […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - February 4, 2019 -
News Article
Dr. Noreen Dillon, Invest in Kids Act, St. Mark School, tax credit scholarships
Dr. Noreen Dillon, principal of St. Mark School in Peoria, confers with Cachet Rodriguez, who is starting the application process for tax credit scholarships for St. Mark families who weren't able to come or didn't have access to the internet when the Empower Illinois portal went live on Jan. 15. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Many parents who send their children to Catholic schools have made sacrifices so that could happen. Cachét Rodriguez of Peoria is one of them. “Seeing what Catholic education is doing for my children as a whole, making them grow spiritually and as just good human beings, it’s very important for me to continue that tradition,” […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - November 7, 2018 -
News Article
Anthony Holter, Empower Illinois, Invest in Kids Act, tax credit scholarships
(UPDATED Nov. 9, 2018, to reflect a change of location for the Nov. 15 training meeting from the Spalding Pastoral Center to Peoria Notre Dame.) The first year of tax credit scholarships awarded as part of the Invest in Kids Act is coming to an end, but the work is just beginning for schools, parents […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - February 7, 2018 -
Featured Article
Gov. Bruce Rauner, Invest in Kids Act, Jordan Catholic School, Rock Island, tax credit scholarships
Gov. Bruce Rauner gestures as he takes questions from students at Jordan Catholic School in Rock Island during a visit on Feb. 2. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
ROCK ISLAND — Before the Jordan Catholic School community wrapped up Catholic Schools Week, they received a special visit from Gov. Bruce Rauner, who thanked the teachers for their hard work and expressed his support for tax credit scholarships. The Invest in Kids Act, which he signed into law on Aug. 31, 2017, provides tax […]
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