SB0194 would amend the Illinois Income Tax Act and the State Finance Act to create a new income tax return checkoff for the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Fund. Beginning with taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2025, individual income tax filers would be able to voluntarily contribute at least $1 on their state return to the fund. The Department of Revenue would be required to print the checkoff option on the standard individual income tax form, and any contribution would reduce a taxpayer’s refund or increase the amount owed.
The bill also creates the iGROW Tech Scholarship Checkoff Fund in the State treasury and directs that money deposited into the fund be used by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award iGROW Tech scholarships under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. The measure is effective immediately, and it is structured as a dedicated revenue mechanism rather than a new tax or mandatory appropriation.
Impact
SB0194 would add new provisions to the Illinois Income Tax Act and State Finance Act, specifically creating a new charitable-style tax return checkoff and a corresponding special fund in the State treasury. It would affect the Department of Revenue, which must add the contribution option to the individual income tax form, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, which would administer the resulting scholarship dollars. The bill would also indirectly support students pursuing qualifying tech-related education through iGROW Tech scholarships.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears neutral to favorable toward workforce and education support. The measure is framed as a voluntary contribution mechanism to help fund scholarships, which typically draws support because it does not impose a mandatory tax increase. No opposition, amendments, or recorded controversy are shown in the available context.
Contention
No specific contention is documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential points of debate, if raised, would likely concern the proliferation of income tax checkoffs, administrative burden on the Department of Revenue, the effectiveness of checkoff fundraising, and whether scholarship funding should come from dedicated appropriations rather than voluntary taxpayer contributions. However, none of those concerns are attributed to any legislator or stakeholder in the materials provided.
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