CHICAGO (March 7, 2001)

The Archdiocese of Chicago is reminding Illinois residents who are the parents or legal guardians of qualifying students to take advantage of a state income tax credit of up to $500 for certain education expenses paid to any elementary or secondary school in the state.

The Credit for Qualified Education Expenses was signed into law by the Illinois Legislature in 1999. For the 2000 tax year, families may report to the state expenditures that amount to more than $250 on tuition, book and lab fees.

Average Catholic elementary school tuition in the Archdiocese is $2,476. Average high school tuition is $4,500. A family would be
eligible for the maximum tax credit once it spent $2,250 on tuition and other qualified expenses.

"For example, if a family spends $4,000 in tuition, book and lab fees for one or more children, the family would not claim the first
$250," said Thomas Brennan, Director, Department of Financial Services, Archdiocese of Chicago. "It’s like an insurance deductible.
But the family would claim 25 percent of the balance of $3,750 – or $937.50. Therefore, the maximum $500 credit can be deducted
from the family’s state income tax liability for the year 2000."

The total tax credit for one family shall not exceed $500 in any tax year, regardless of the number of qualifying public or private school
students in the family, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. In order to claim the credit, taxpayers must complete the
Education Expense Credit Worksheet in the Form IL-1040 Instructions and attach written receipts from the schools to the form.

Parents of two students who pay $6,000 in tuition, book and lab fees would first subtract the $250 "deductible," Brennan said. They
would multiply the balance, $5,750, by .25, which equals $1,438, but still claim only the maximum tax credit of $500.

"The state of Illinois has recognized the contribution private schools have made to the public good through the Education Tax Credit
bill," said Sr. Judy Cauley, C.S.J., interim co-superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools.

"Our schools will provide families with records of their payments to help them take advantage of this legislation. We urge parents to seek some relief for the financial sacrifices they make to send their children to Catholic school. Furthermore, we urge parents to join us in future efforts to pursue financial assistance for our students and families to ensure that public funds follow students in all schools that serve the public good."

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, a qualifying student must be a resident of Illinois; under the age of 21; and a full-time
student enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade at any Illinois school.

"The Legislature has recognized that parents make financial sacrifices to send their children to parochial schools," Cauley said. "At the same time, parents who choose Catholic schools for their children ease the burden on taxpayers by as much as $1.4 billion by
providing alternative education to children who would otherwise attend public schools."

The education tax credit is estimated to cost the state $75 million while Illinois Catholic schools save the state $1.4 billion in operating
costs alone annually by providing an educational alternative to children who would otherwise attend public schools.

For more information, taxpayers may consult tax accountants or log onto http://www.revenue.state.il.us/taxforms/Incm2000/Ind to
obtain Schedule ED Credit for Qualified Education Expenses.

The Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago C the largest non-public school system in the nation C play a critical role in the
life of the community by developing the minds and spirits of students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in 312 elementary and
secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 6,000 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values,
teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago=s 267 elementary and 45 secondary
schools.