Empower Illinois gave a presentation to Bishop McGovern, area Catholic School principals, and several parents/guests Wednesday, September 21, 2022. This amazing program allows individuals to redirect their income taxes they already pay into this program to directly benefit the St. Mary School’s tuition scholarship program instead of sending this portion of income taxes to Springfield to be spent on who knows what.
The incredible part of this program is that families who donate will receive a 75% percent tax credit off the amount they donate. For example, if a family donates $2000 they would see a tax rebate of $1500 come directly off their taxes.
In addition, there is a wealthy individual who is DOUBLING all donations for the Diocese of Belleville for any school who can reach $10,000 in donations. This program is for everyone looking for a tax rebate, which will directly benefit St. Mary School students. WHAT AN AMAZING PROGRAM TO HELP GROW ST. MARY SCHOOL!
Here is a step-by-step guide for people who do want to donate.
https://empowerillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Donate-Step-by-Step-Guide_091421.pdf
Briefly, the steps are:
1. Request a Letter ID from mytax.illinois.gov if you do not already have an account. You will need your SS # and Driver’s License # for this step.
a. To do this, you will scroll down on the page to the blue individual’s box and click on the link that says "Request Letter ID"
2. Wait for that letter to arrive in the mail (about 7-10 days).
3. Create your account using the Letter ID mailed to you and set up 2 step authorization.
4. Reserve your tax credit (Contribution Authorization Certificate, CAC) on mytax.illinois.gov.
5. Save a PDF of your CAC.
6. Donate through Empower’s donation page either by ACH, check, stocks/bonds, wire, or credit card.
https://donations.empowerillinois.org/donations
7. Know you helped take a child off a school’s waitlist and put them in the classroom instead!
Here are donors most frequently asked questions.
https://empowerillinois.org/wp-content/uploads/EMP_FAQ_Donors-120921.pdf
Please contact Mr. Heinzman with questions or to discuss the program in more detail. Thanks for your consideration of support St. Mary School’s Empower Illinois student tuition assistance program.
2022-2023 St. Mary School Board members.
• Christopher Johnson
• Lou Ann Morrison
• Ralph (Skip) Fox
• Steven Manning
• Lance Cusumano
• Dr. Gregory Dalencourt
• Christopher Kujawa
Congratulations to our newest members!
The St. Mary School Kindergarten Class of 2020-2021 invites you and the community to use our new “Little Free Library.” This May 2021 School Community Service Project was completed by Mrs. Garrison’s Kindergarten Class assisted by Mrs. Chesnek, Steve Trentman, Janelle Heaney, Ken Martinek and Bob Jilek. Mission: to provide free books for all ages and to promoted reading. Take a book you wish to read and share a book that you have finished reading! Look for the “Little Free Library” in front of the school.
St. Mary School Promotional Video
Extracurricular Video
Educational Daycare Video
Archived Christmas Program Video
For those who missed the live-streamed SMS Children's Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, here is the archived YouTube link so that you may enjoy it!
2021 St. Mary School Christmas Program 12-15-21
Everyone did a wonderful job!
Wishing everyone a beautiful and peaceful Christmas and a New Year filled with promise!