As parents and students have to set up at home learning environments, many families had to spend extra money on computers and tablets, better internet access, and even hiring tutors. State Representative Avery Bourne is pushing through legislation to give families who had to spend money on educational equipment, a tax credit.

Bourne says that with the IDPH guidelines changing right before school started, many parents were forced to scramble to find suitable home learning environments for kids. Her new bill, HB 5834, would create income tax credits for parents and legal guardians of school-age students for educational expenses that result from remote learning during the pandemic. 

Some expenses that would fall under HB 5834 would include, additional computers, printers, internet routers, tutors, learning facilitators, and childcare expenses. Teachers with children would also receive additional tax credits to give them a reason to work at school rather than stay home with their kids.

Bourne says, “The provisions of HB 5834 will provide families who were forced into a learning situation that was not of their own doing, with some relief.” The bill will be pushed through during the fall veto session.