(The Center Square) – An Indianapolis-based scholarship-granting organization is encouraging Illinois residents to take advantage of federal Education Freedom Tax Credits in Indiana.
The Institute for Quality Education launched a billboard campaign this week on Interstate 94 at the state line to inform commuters that they can maximize their federal tax benefits by donating to scholarship-granting organizations in Indiana.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not yet announced whether Illinois will opt in or opt out of the program that provides individual tax credits up to $1,700 for donations to eligible scholarship-granting organizations. The scholarships are open to public, private and homeschool students.
American Federation for Children Senior Fellow Patrick Graff told Greg Bishop on The States that Illinois would receive over $1 billion in new education funding if 15% of the state’s taxpayers donated for the EFTC.
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKS DOWN
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in August, down 0.2 percentage point from July’s revised rate, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Total nonfarm payrolls decreased 0.1% over the month in August, to 6,175,600.
UIUC RELEASES STRATEGIC PLAN
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has unveiled a new strategic plan for the school’s future.
The Illinois Leads plan includes stated goals to prepare future leaders, shape the future with research, serve the public, develop economies and work together. Priority areas include expanding access and affordability, strengthening strategic recruitment efforts and expanding lifelong learning opportunities.
The last of the 12 priority areas listed was to champion academic freedom, open inquiry and intellectual independence.
ISP URGES RESPONSIBLE DRIVING FOR HOMECOMINGS
Illinois State Police are reminding teens and their families to enjoy homecoming celebrations responsibly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Young Driver Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, people from age 15 to 20 accounted for 9% of all drivers involved in a fatal crash.
The sheet also showed 53% of young drivers killed were not wearing a seatbelt and 29% had alcohol in their system.
