Scott Reeder
SPRINGFIELD – Imagine a state government with the worst credit rating in the nation, borrowing money to pay off the personal debts of individuals with six-digit incomes buying homes that cost as much as $500,000.
Make much sense? Nope. But that’s exactly what the state of Illinois is doing.
Two years ago, Illinois lawmakers passed the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. It was a bipartisan proposal negotiated behind closed doors and designed to pay for repairing highways, building bridges and erecting public buildings. But the plan also set aside $25 million to forgive student loan debt.
The SmartBuy program pays off as much as $40,000 in student loans if the debtor buys a home in Illinois and holds it for three years. Another $5,000 is available as a no-interest loan for a down payment or closing costs.