Families who are planning for their children to attend college received good news recently, according to State Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Sycamore. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s 529 prepaid tuition savings plan known as College Illinois! reopened and is offering to hold tuition rates at 2011 levels through the end of the year.

“There has never been a better time to invest in your children’s or grandchildren’s future,” Pritchard said.

Since its inception in 1997, College Illinois! has helped tens of thousands of Illinois families prepay for their children to attend college. Contributions to the 529 plan are tax deductible and grow tax-free for college tuition expenses at any public or private college in the country.