SB2494 Summary: School Choice Act

• Establishes a School Choice Program allowing parents of students in Chicago's lowest-performing schools (bottom 10%) to receive vouchers for tuition at participating nonpublic elementary schools.

• Vouchers equal the lesser of actual qualified education expenses or the state foundation level of support amount; parents receive vouchers directly from the State Board of Education.

• Qualifying pupils must be Chicago residents in grades K-8 enrolled in low-performing public schools, with vouchers renewable annually through 8th grade if eligibility continues.

• Participating nonpublic schools must be state-recognized, cannot discriminate based on race/color/national origin, and cannot charge voucher students higher tuition rates than other students.

• Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to exclude voucher amounts from taxable income, and requires the State Board to report on program outcomes by December 31, 2014 with recommendations on expansion.