Illinois State Rep. Travis Weaver is looking to boost his state’s universities by offering tax breaks to college athletes who earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. He wants to exempt up to $100,000 in NIL earnings from state taxes, hoping it’ll keep local recruits from leaving for states with no income tax like Florida or Texas. Other states like Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana are also pushing similar bills.

Weaver’s idea comes from his own college experience, where he saw how success in sports boosted the entire community, and he believes this could help Illinois’ mid-major schools, like Bradley and Illinois State, compete better. While the proposal could cost the state around $750,000 in tax revenue, Weaver thinks the long-term benefits—like more students, better attendance at games, and local economic boosts—are worth it.

This initiative isn’t without controversy, though. Some wonder if it’s fair to offer these breaks only to athletes when others, like social media influencers or musicians, who also make money off their names don’t get the same treatment. But with nine states having no income tax, Weaver’s plan could give Illinois an edge in the recruiting wars.