House Sponsors: ROSKAM. Short description: EDUCATIONAL CHOICE ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Educational Choice Act. Establishes a pilot program under which, beginning with the 1998-99 school year, the parents or guardians of pupils residing within a selected geographic region of the Chicago school district are entitled to vouchers for payment of qualified education expenses incurred by the pupils while enrolled at public or non-home based, nonpublic elementary or secondary schools that are located in the region selected. A pupil must be a member of a family that has a total family income that does not exceed one and one-half times the family income level necessary to qualify for free meals under the National School Lunch Act in order to participate in the program. The State Board of Education is to reimburse the school at which a pupil enrolls for the amount of the voucher (which cannot exceed the lesser of $2,500 or the pupil's qualified education expenses reasonably incurred at the school at which the pupil is enrolled, subject to equitable allocation of a lower amount if the aggregate amount needed to fund vouchers for all qualifying pupils would otherwise exceed $5,000,000 in any year). Creates a Council of Advisers that is to select the region that is to be the locus of the pilot program. Defines terms. Adds provisions relative to the manner in which vouchers are requested, issued, and paid. Provides for a reduction in the Chicago school district's State aid by an amount equal to total vouchers paid, subject to a maximum reduction in one year of $5,000,000. Provides that the amount of a voucher is not taxable for Illinois income tax purposes to a person who redeems the voucher. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide that an amount equal to a redeemed voucher shall be deducted from the adjusted gross income that constitutes the base income of an individual for Illinois income tax purposes. Provides that the Act is repealed July 1, 2002. Effective immediately. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status