100 to 1 in opposition to Illinois Homeschool Act ahead of hearing
[March 18, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Nearly 4,000 opposition slips have been filed
against a measure in Illinois to regulate homeschooling. That’s 100
times more than the nearly 40 who have filed in support.
House Bill 2827 would create the Homeschool Act and require parents to
inform their local school district if they decide to homeschool their
children. If not, the children could be labeled truant. Proponents argue
the bill would ensure children are protected from potential harm,
including making sure that they are receiving adequate schooling.
“Every child has the right to be safe, to learn, and to access
resources. HB 2827 would protect those rights for children who are
homeschooled in Illinois,” said Coalition for Responsible Home Education
Executive Director Angela Grimberg.
The coalition said the measure ensures every school-age child in
Illinois is accounted for, has a record of their academic progress,
learns from educated instructions and is protected from convicted sex
offenders. They also say the measure streamlines the process for
homeschooled children to take part in public school activities.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said he has had many constituents
say they don’t like the bill because it takes away parents’ autonomy
over their children.
“I'm not for it,” Ford told The Center Square. “From the constituents
that I've gotten calls from, I’m understanding why they don't like it.
The loss of their autonomy, that's a major concern that they lose the
autonomy over their children, which is why they choose homeschooling.
They want to have control over their children’s education, including the
curriculum, how they teach and the philosophy.”
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Families gather with Illinois state legislators outside the Illinois
State Capitol to support homeschooling
Colin Moseley
Under the bill proposed by Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn,
homeschool parents could face tighter restrictions that include
requiring them to submit additional forms to school officials and follow
specific curriculum guidelines.
The bill would also require the state’s Regional Offices of Education to
collect data on homeschooled children, with the findings being compiled
into an annual report that includes the grade level and gender of all
the students being educated in that way.
Other factors are also at play for the opposition, Ford said.
“There are some things that we have to consider for why people have
chosen homeschooling,” Ford said. “They’re things in there for
vaccinations, immunization and health requirements. Some people don't
like that.”
The measure is set for a House Education Policy Committee hearing at 8
a.m. Wednesday at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. As of
Monday afternoon, 38 people filed in support. Nearly 4,000 have filed in
opposition.
The total number of witness splits in support of HB 2827 is 723. The
total number in opposition for the bill is 31,882.
Glenn Minnis contributed to this report. |
