The annual national Collection for the Church in Latin America (CLA) will be the weekend of January 22-23. This campaign highlights the faith of Latin America and the many opportunities we have to share faith with them. We also recognize the tremendous benefit of having our Latin American brothers and sisters in the Church and the revitalization their fervor brings to the faith. In addition to offering our help and support to the Catholics of Latin America, we have much to learn from them. Help strengthen families, fund Catholic education, and foster priestly and religious vocations by giving to the Collection for the Church in Latin America. For over 50 years, Catholics in the United States have expressed solidarity with the Church from Mexico to the Caribbean, to the southern tip of South America through the Collection. Learn more about this collection here.  Donate through GiveCentral.

ILLINOIS LETTER ID DRIVE

The Invest in Kids Act’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program provides strong incentives for donors to support Illinois children from low-income homes and guarantees a high-quality education at a Catholic school of their choice. Students may use these scholarships to attend a nonpublic school of their choice, including the 157 archdiocesan schools in Cook County and Lake County. Your donation reduces what you owe to the state at tax time or could increase your state tax refund, all while funding a quality Catholic education for a child and supporting our Catholic schools!

If you want to take advantage of a tax credit and our 1-for-1 Matching Program, we can help you get started. Obtaining a letter ID is the first step.

Step 1

• Log on to mytax.illinois.gov to Request Letter ID
• If you already have an account, enter your username and password to verify.
• If you do not have an account, scroll down to the “Individuals” box on the left.

Step 2

• Click on “Request a Letter ID.”

Step 3

• Enter your Social Security Number and one of the following:
  • IL-PIN
  • Most recent adjusted gross income
  • IL driver’s license number
  • IL state identification number
• Click “Submit,” confirm your email address, then click “OK” and receive your confirmation.

Your Letter ID will arrive in the mail at the address on your previous year’s tax return within 7-10 business days. The Letter ID expires 90 days from the date it is issued. Please activate your account upon receipt of Letter ID. If you have questions, call 312-534-2617 or email
investinkids@archchicago.org. Wait until December 1 to make your donation and take advantage of the 1 for 1 Matching Program.

Detailed instructions on completing your donation are available here. As a reminder, under the Invest in Kids Act, corporate donors are not permitted to direct their donation to a specific school.