Kane County Reporter

Illinois families and educators have access to several tax credits as students return to school this fall. The K-12 Education Expense Credit allows parents and guardians to claim up to $750 per household, covering 25 percent of eligible expenses above $250 for costs such as tuition, book rentals, and lab fees paid directly to schools. Home-school families may also qualify for certain expenses related to approved curricula. Last year, nearly 200,000 families used this credit, with an average savings of $324.

Educators can benefit from the Instructional Materials and Supplies Credit, which reimburses out-of-pocket classroom supply costs. Full-time K-12 teachers, aides, counselors, and principals working at least 900 hours during the school year can claim up to $500 in credits. Married couples who are both educators and file jointly may receive up to $1,000. In 2024, more than 81,000 Illinois educators claimed this credit for a collective savings of over $35 million.

“These tax credits are a practical way to help ease the financial burden of a new school year and encourages families and teachers to keep their receipts and file for the relief they deserve,” according to Senator Don DeWitte.

More information is available at tax.illinois.gov and in IDOR Publication 112.

Senator DeWitte will host the first of three Senior Expos this week in Carpentersville. The event features nearly 50 agencies, non-profits, and businesses that provide services for seniors. Attendees can access hearing screenings by the Lions Club, blood pressure checks, vaccinations provided by Walgreens, IPASS transponder updates, ICASH services, and transportation information from PACE and RTA.

For further details about the expo or other outreach events—including upcoming senior fairs in St. Charles (September 16) and Crystal Lake (October 14), as well as free document shredding events in Pingree Grove (September 27) and Elburn (October 4)—residents are encouraged to contact Senator DeWitte’s office or visit his website's Events page.

Legislation supported by Senator DeWitte creating the Care for Retired Police Dogs Grant Program has been signed into law. House Bill 3140 establishes grants of up to $1,500 annually for veterinary expenses incurred by handlers or adoptive families caring for retired police K9s that served at least five years or were injured on duty after three years’ service. The program is funded through sales of Illinois’ new K-9 Memorial License Plate rather than taxpayer dollars; it will launch if at least 2,000 license plate requests are received by January 2028.

“This new law helps honor the service of police dogs while easing the financial burden on the families who care for them in retirement,” said Senator DeWitte.

Illinois' elimination of cash bail continues to draw national attention following an executive order signed August 25 directing federal agencies to consider blocking funding to states without cash bail systems due to public safety concerns. Illinois was the first state nationwide to end cash bail under the SAFE-T Act in 2023—a move some say has allowed repeat offenders greater freedom while impacting community safety.

“Illinois families deserve a justice system that prioritizes victims and law enforcement over criminals, not reckless policies that put ideology ahead of safety and reward criminals,” said Senator DeWitte. “To that end, I am calling on Democrat leaders to repeal the SAFE-T Act and restore accountability before communities and law-abiding citizens are harmed.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Tourism announced record-breaking tourism numbers for 2024: Illinois welcomed approximately 113 million visitors last year—an increase over previous years—with visitor spending reaching $48.5 billion. This growth generated $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue while supporting more than 280,000 jobs statewide.

“Tourism is a vital part of our state’s economic success, contributing valuable revenue to local economies,” said Senator DeWitte. “These record-setting figures come as a great relief for those in the tourism and hospitality industry who are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and forced shutdowns across the state.”

DeWitte has represented Illinois’ 33rd Senate District since his election in 2018 after replacing former senator Karen McConnaughay.

https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=103&MemberID=3037