HB1450 creates a new voluntary income tax checkoff for the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Fund. Beginning with taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2025, Illinois taxpayers filing individual income tax returns would be able to designate at least $1 to the fund on their return. The Department of Revenue would be required to print the checkoff on the standard individual income tax form, and the contribution would either reduce a taxpayer’s refund or increase the amount owed.
The bill also amends the State Finance Act to establish the iGROW Tech Scholarship Checkoff Fund in the State treasury. Money deposited into the fund would be appropriated for use by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award iGROW Tech scholarships under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. The measure is effective immediately upon enactment.
Impact
HB1450 would add a new charitable-style tax checkoff to Illinois income tax forms and create a dedicated special fund for scholarship support. It would not change tax rates or create a mandatory tax liability, but it would direct taxpayer-designated contributions into a state treasury fund administered for higher education scholarships. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission would be the entity responsible for awarding the scholarships funded by these contributions, and the Department of Revenue would have to update tax forms and administration procedures.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available context suggests the measure is straightforward and likely noncontroversial in concept. Its purpose is framed positively around workforce development, technology education, and retaining graduates in Illinois. Because there is no recorded debate, vote history, or opposition in the provided materials, no clear partisan or stakeholder split is evident from the available record.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided transcripts or voting history, because none were supplied. In general, bills creating tax checkoffs can raise questions about whether they complicate tax forms, whether the state should rely on voluntary contributions for scholarship funding, and how effectively the resulting money will be distributed. If any concerns arise, they would most likely involve administrative burden on the Department of Revenue or the long-term effectiveness of using a checkoff to finance scholarships rather than a direct appropriation.
A bill for an act providing for the Iowa individual income tax checkoff for public schools and the public school checkoff fund, making appropriations, and providing for implementation of the checkoff on the return.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 45.2-1735 through 45.2-1740, relating to Virginia Clean Energy and Battery Storage Promotion, Research, and Market Development Program, Board, and Fund established; tax assessment; report.
To Amend The Law Regarding Agriculture; To Establish The Producer Bill Of Rights For Commodity Checkoff Programs Act; And To Require Certain Actions Related To Commodity Checkoff Programs.