Illinois Textbook Loan Program

The purpose of the program is to provide textbooks, textbook substitutes, and since 1996, instructional computer software to public and nonpublic students grades K-12.  The program rotates every year to fund textbook purchases for different groups of students: K-6 and 7-12.  The 2008-2009 textbook loan program, this year for students in 7-12 has an appropriation of a little over $42.8 million dollars – this will provide approximately $40 per pupil. (In past years, text books were provided only for K-4, 5-8 and 9-12, with a much smaller appropriation; now text book loans will be provided for a particular grade every two years, instead of every three years.)

The Illinois Textbook Loan Program was authorized in 1975 and is now Article 18-17 of the Illinois School Code.