For more than 157 years, Joliet Catholic Academy has worked to make a Catholic education available to families throughout Will County, regardless of their financial circumstances. Today, a new federal program presents an extraordinary opportunity to make a JCA education significantly more affordable for many of our families. Beginning January 1, 2027, the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit will allow individual taxpayers to receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 ($3,400 for couples filing jointly) for qualifying cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. Those organizations will then provide scholarships and educational assistance to eligible K–12 students. For Illinois families to fully participate through Illinois Scholarship Granting Organizations, however, the State of Illinois must elect to participate in the federal program. The potential impact at Joliet Catholic Academy is significant. Based on the program's income eligibility guidelines and our current family demographics, we estimate that approximately 95% of current JCA families could potentially meet the income eligibility threshold for scholarship assistance. For those families, this program could mean additional scholarship dollars and a meaningful reduction in the net cost of attending Joliet Catholic Academy. At JCA, affordability is central to our mission. Last year, we awarded $2.4 million in tuition assistance through the JCA Tuition Partnership Program, which includes scholarships from the Diocese of Joliet’s Catholic Education Foundation and the Kazma Family Foundation. We believe families who desire a Catholic education for their children should have the opportunity to pursue one. Our families make significant sacrifices to provide their children with an education rooted in faith, academic excellence, service and the Carmelite and Franciscan traditions. This program could bring substantial new private resources into Catholic education without requiring families to choose between supporting public education and supporting Catholic schools. The federal program is designed to serve students in both public and nonpublic schools, with qualifying educational expenses potentially including tuition, tutoring, educational technology, academic supplies and other educational services. Just as importantly, this is an opportunity to keep Illinois charitable dollars working for Illinois students. If Illinois participates, taxpayers will have an opportunity to direct qualifying contributions to approved organizations serving students here at home. If Illinois chooses not to participate, Illinois residents can send their donations to neighboring states. The Catholic Conference of Illinois is encouraging families and supporters of education to learn more about the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and Illinois' participation in the program. For JCA, the issue is particularly important. If approximately 95% of our current families could potentially qualify, participation could fundamentally expand our ability to reduce tuition costs for working and middle-class families while opening the doors of Joliet Catholic Academy to even more students. We encourage our JCA community to educate themselves about this new program, review the information provided by the Catholic Conference of Illinois, and make their voices heard regarding Illinois' participation. Our mission has remained constant for more than a century and a half: providing young men and women with an exceptional education rooted in faith, tradition and service. Expanding access to that mission for the next generation of families is an opportunity worthy of our attention. Thank you for your continued commitment to Joliet Catholic Academy and Catholic education. CONTACT GOVERNOR PRITZKER TODAY >> ilcatholic.org/take-action/a… #OnwardJCA

To all the Joliet Catholic Academy alumni, families, and friends who supported our 6th Annual #JCADay of Online Giving — thank you! Your generosity directly impacts student scholarships and helps today’s Angels and Hilltoppers thrive. 🤎🩵 Because of you, JCA continues its mission of Inspiring Growth in Knowledge and Faith — a tradition that’s been alive since 1869. This year’s #JCADay of Online Giving was focused on one thing: participation at every level. And we challenged alumni classes to double their participation and make an even greater impact. Didn’t get a chance to give yesterday? There’s still time to make your impact felt. The JCA fiscal year runs through June 30, 2026, and every gift — no matter the size — helps us reach more students with the life-changing gift of Catholic education. Make your gift today >> givecentral.org/leaderboard/… #JCADay #OnwardJCA