Illinois lawmakers should pass a state child tax credit

Tens of thousand of Illinois children sank into poverty after monthly federal child tax credit payments ended. With inflation squeezing Illinois families, the General Assembly should take action. So should Congress. Passing a state child tax credit was a key component of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s platform when he was running for governor and later when he tried unsuccessfully to get the income tax referendum on the ballot. A state child tax credit would provide critical assistance to Illinois residents. If the General Assembly passes the bills as currently drafted, 4.8 million people in Illinois —1.9 million of them children — would benefit, according to Ralph M. Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.