Toro encourages educators and parents to use educational tax credits

CHICAGO — As back-to-school season kicks off, State Senator Natalie Toro is reminding taxpayers that they may be able to claim school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2023 Illinois individual income tax returns.

“As a former educator for nearly 10 years, I know how difficult it can be for parents and educators to afford necessary school supplies,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “With the cost for these materials on the rise, it is more important than ever for people to be aware of and utilize these tax benefits to help offset the costs of their school supplies.”

The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 this year, up to $750 per household. Qualified educational expenses include tuition, book rental, and lab fees in excess of $250 paid to the school where the student is enrolled on a full-time basis. For homeschooled students, book rental, and lab fees greater than $250 are eligible when attending a qualified home school program.

The K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit allows eligible teachers of full-time K-12 students to receive a tax break for qualified expenses on classroom materials paid during the taxable year. To qualify, taxpayers must be teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, or aides for at least 900 hours during a school year. Increasing from last year, they can now claim a credit up to $500 for qualified expenses they paid in the current taxable year. If spouses are both educators and are filing jointly, the maximum credit is $1,000.

“Classroom materials enhance a student’s learning and can be transformative to their experience in the classroom,” said Toro. “However, parents and educators should not have to suffer financially for this. I hope these tax credits will help alleviate some of this financial burden.”

To learn more about the Illinois Education Expense Credit, visit IDOR's website at tax.illinois.gov.

Policy Roundtable Registration

Do you want to be a part of making legislation to help the 20^th District? Please consider joining our Policy Roundtables. In separate meetings, we will discuss important issues impacting our community, including housing, violence prevention, and education, and offer space for you to voice suggestions and policy recommendations I can bring to Springfield. Let your voice be heard at our upcoming roundtables!

Please sign up for the roundtables you are most interested below:

Housing: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD4gi7V0jYxH_1mwa8jrqYlfY1P_0YFVCj2yAbzYP1JbFneg/viewform

Violence Prevention: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFGY9CLX68GUcCpAsdJ7P_16TQCuGa1eAPbTqdIgKT7datzQ/viewform

Education: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewh73pJ7N9QxNdmqmGf8Kq1T1935KwpJOsozniSJCK-C2kbA/viewform

• Education
• Constituent involvement
• Policy Roundtable
• Housing
• Violence Prevention

Toro announces over $23 million in evidence-based funding for local schools

CHICAGO – Senator Natalie Toro announced that Chicago Public Schools will receive $23 million in funding to support local schools with recent financial challenges.

“Students throughout Illinois deserve equal opportunity and access to education,” said Toro (D-Chicago). As a former educator, I recognize the importance of investing in strong educational pathways because it ensures successful futures for our young leaders at every milestone. We’re beginning to see vital developments in our classrooms because of the evidence-based funding formula, and I am committed to seeing every student benefit from this line of support.”

Toro was recently selected to serve as the new state senator for the 20^th District. Previously, she served the community as a kindergarten and third grade teacher for nearly 10 years in the Chicago Public Schools system.

• Chicago Public Schools
• Education
• Evidence-Based Funding
• ISBE

Read more: Toro announces over $23 million in evidence-based funding for local schools

Toro applauds federal grant supporting women in trades

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro is celebrating Wednesday’s news of a $1.3 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor in support of women in the construction industry.  

“The skilled trades are a male-dominated industry, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce — this is especially true for women of color,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This funding will support programs to train the next generation of tradeswomen and set them up for high-paying apprenticeships and careers.”

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $1.3 million to IDOL and Chicago Women in Trades to support the creation of equity plans and increase women’s inclusion in construction industry jobs. The grant is funded through the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.

• Federal Grants
• Women in Trades
• Construction
• Department of Labor
• Employment

Read more: Toro applauds federal grant supporting women in trades