You may direct your individual or corporate state income tax liability by making a charitable donation to a state-certified scholarship organization. The Children’s Tuition Fund of Illinois (CTF IL) and Empower Illinois are both scholarship organizations that focus on placing underprivileged students in great private schools. Until recently, Illinois residents had little control over how their tax dollars were distributed. However, in August 2017, the Illinois Legislature passed Senate Bill 1947, allowing individuals and corporations to direct up to $1,000,000 of their state income tax liability. Now, for example, taxpayers can secure credits of $7,500 by sending $10,000 to a state-certified scholarship-granting organization like Empower Illinois. Empower Illinois makes sure your charitable donation is recognized by the Illinois Department of Revenue and that you, the donor, receive a tax credit for that donation.