Illinois engineers call for college graduate tax credits, resources for women in STEM

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Rebuild Illinois program has helped invest nearly $28 billion for construction projects across the state, but industry leaders argue lawmakers need to do more to help recruit the workforce.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois is proposing a tax credit worth 10% of the salary for recent graduates of Illinois engineering schools and 5% of the salary for graduates from schools in other states.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois is proposing a tax credit worth 10% of the salary for recent graduates of Illinois engineering schools and 5% of the salary for graduates from schools in other states.

"We want to continue to incentivize students to enter the field of engineering, earn degrees at our top engineering schools, and encourage them to continue working in Illinois as they begin their careers," said ACEC Illinois Board Chair Elect Jerry Payonk.

Engineering leaders would also like to see lawmakers pass a plan to add women to the list of demographics eligible for STEM higher education scholarships. A separate bill calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to create a resource for K-12 STEM teachers to inform young women pursuing STEM careers about externship and volunteer opportunities in the industry.

"Encouraging Illinois youth, especially young women, to become interested and engaged in STEM careers is key to building the next generation of our engineering workforce," said ACEC Illinois Secretary Laura McGovern. "In addition to introducing legislation to retain and attract Illinois engineering students and talent from across the country, we also support legislation seeking to include women in STEM scholarships, externships and other learning opportunities."

Meanwhile, ACEC leaders said they are strongly opposed to any efforts to roll back or divert funding for Rebuild Illinois capital investments. Gov. JB Pritzker's Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal does not divert any funding for projects. However, the governor is calling on lawmakers to pause the shift of sales tax on the Motor Fuel Tax for one year.

"We've seen pauses in the implementation of the phased in sales tax over the last couple years. Budgets are starting points," said ACEC Illinois President and CEO Kevin Artl. "We saw that last year. It's our goal here to maximize funding for Illinois. The pause amounts to the interest that was accrued from the road fund last year."

ACEC Illinois is also supporting a plan championed by the Illinois Municipal League to allow non-home rule governments to implement a motor fuel tax of 3 cents per gallon. Many believe this change could offer an alternative revenue source to fund infrastructure projects.

The engineers would also like to see lawmakers pass legislation to modernize the state's research and development tax credit to attract new companies to Illinois. The modernized plan could make the tax credit permanent and match the federal research and development credit.