'Do Not Leave Our Schools Behind': Union Urges Pritzker To Reject Vouchers

CHICAGO — Teachers union leader Stacy Davis Gates urged Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday to reject a federal education scholarship program backed by President Donald Trump, arguing Illinois should focus on closing its public school funding gap.

Davis Gates, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago Teachers Union, issued the statement after the Trump administration released proposed regulations for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program.

"Governor Pritzker cannot talk about being better than Trump without protecting public education from Trump," Davis Gates said in the statement distributed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers. "Do not leave our schools behind, JB."

The federal program is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027. It allows individual taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash donations to approved scholarship-granting organizations. States must elect to participate and submit a list of eligible organizations to the IRS. Illinois was not included on the IRS' list of participating states as of Sept. 14.

Union Points To Public School Funding Gap

Davis Gates said Illinois school communities remain $6.8 billion short of full funding under the state’s evidence-based funding formula. She also pointed to Cook County districts borrowing money while awaiting delayed property tax revenue.

"You don't close that gap by spreading the pot even thinner," she said. "Trump's voucher scheme would take resources that are already stretched and make them even more marginal. The students who feel it first are the ones who already have the least."

The federal program operates through tax credits for donors to scholarship organizations. Davis Gates argued that expanding private school subsidies would weaken public education and disproportionately hurt students with the fewest resources.

She urged Pritzker to pursue additional revenue from wealthy taxpayers instead, suggesting a temporary measure that would expire when Trump’s term ends.

"He says billionaires should pay their fair share. Then tax the rich," Davis Gates said. "Build a fix that sunsets when Trump's term does. But protect our schools."

What The Federal Program Would Do

The scholarship program was created in the federal tax and spending law enacted in July 2025. The Treasury Department and IRS released proposed implementation rules Thursday, with a public comment period before the regulations are finalized.

Scholarships can cover qualifying elementary and secondary education expenses, including private school tuition and certain expenses for public school students, such as tutoring and services for students with disabilities.

The proposed rules would prevent participating states from imposing additional restrictions on eligible scholarship organizations or narrowing the qualifying education expenses beyond federal requirements. Treasury and the IRS argue that educational choice can benefit students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Davis Gates sharply disputed the program's merits. Her statement linked vouchers to tuition grants used by Southern states to resist school integration after Brown v. Board of Education and characterized the federal initiative as part of a broader rollback of civil rights.

"Saying yes to Trump's voucher scheme is saying yes to Jim Crow," she said.

Bailey’s Running Mate Supports Participation

Aaron Del Mar, Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey’s running mate, has urged Illinois to participate in the federal scholarship tax-credit program, Capitol News Illinois reported in August.

"Why don't you ask JB Pritzker why he doesn't opt into the federal program that would bring federal dollars and resources to Illinois," Del Mar told reporters.

Del Mar's comments came as Bailey argued for less government involvement in education and greater control for parents and local communities, according to the report.

"Funding is not the issue," Bailey said. "Why is money always the always the answer to every problem that we have? Money is not the answer to every problem that we have."

Pressure Comes Ahead Of November Election

The union's appeal comes as Pritzker seeks another term against Bailey in the Nov. 3 election.

Trump endorsed Bailey last month, setting up another point of conflict between the president and Pritzker. The governor defeated Bailey in their 2022 matchup.

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