Illinois House panel advances bill to strengthen homeschooling oversight
[March 20, 2025]
By Molly Parker, Beth Hundsdorfer
SPRINGFIELD — After nearly three hours of debate before a packed hearing
room, a House committee on Wednesday voted to advance a bill that would
impose new requirements on homeschooling, fueling a heated discussion
over parental rights and government oversight in Illinois.
The measure, known as the Homeschool Act, would require families to
notify their school districts when they decide to homeschool, and that
parents or guardians who teach their kids at home have a high school
diploma or equivalent. One of the most-contested pieces of the bill
provides that if education officials suspect a child is not receiving
proper instruction, they could demand proof of teaching materials and
student work.
The House Education Policy Committee voted 8-4 along party lines to move
the bill to the House floor for a vote, with one Democrat lawmaker
voting present.
Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, introduced the bill following the
publication of a Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica investigation,
which revealed little accountability for parents who pull their kids
from school and then fail to ensure they receive an education.
The news organizations’ reporting documented cases where children
endured severe abuse at home, unnoticed because they were not in school.
One such case, referenced in Wednesday’s hearing, was that of Zion
Staples, a 9-year-old boy from Rock Island who went missing in December
2022. His mother, who had a long history of abuse and neglect
allegations, was able to homeschool him despite previously losing two
children to foster care. Police later determined Zion had accidentally
shot himself while playing with a gun. His mother hid his body in a
trash can for months before authorities found him. She pleaded guilty to
felony endangering the health of a child and was sentenced to two years
in prison in April.
Opponents, including homeschool advocates and religious groups, called
the bill an unnecessary government intrusion. Thousands of homeschool
families filled the Capitol — packing the committee room and spilling
into hallways and the Capitol Rotunda where they sang hymns and
patriotic songs.
In addition to showing up in person, they submitted over 40,000 witness
slips opposing the bill — a mechanism state lawmakers use to gather
testimony and gauge support on bills. Nearly 1,000 people filed in
support, including the Illinois State Board of Education, whose
representative appeared to answer questions.
Critics argued the bill would disproportionately burden low-income and
minority families.
“This bill targets homeschool parents and treats us as criminals, guilty
until proven innocent,” said Aziza Butler, a former public school
teacher who now homeschools her children in Chicago.
Supporters pointed to cases of abuse, arguing that some parents use
homeschooling as a shield for abuse and neglect.
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a national child advocacy
group, said some families pull their children from school to avoid
scrutiny.
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A woman holds a sign, which is just one of the many signs held by
the thousands of people who gathered in the Statehouse on Wednesday
to oppose a bill relating to homeschoolers. (Capitol News Illinois
photo by Jade Aubrey)
“We have tracked over 500 cases of extreme abuse and neglect in
homeschool settings where the abuse escalated because of the isolation
afforded through homeschooling,” said Jonah Stewart, the group’s
research director.
“I believe this bill will help protect abused and neglected children and
leave in place the freedom of parents to decide how to best meet the
educational needs of their children,” said Tanner Lovett, a
homeschooling advocate who also testified in favor of the measure.
Opponents pushed back, arguing there is no evidence homeschool children
are at greater risk of abuse than their public school peers.
“The proponents claim that children who are being homeschooled are at
greater risk of abuse and neglect. This is not supported by the two
peer-reviewed studies that have been produced,” said Will Estrada,
senior counsel at the Home School Legal Defense Association.
Some also warned the bill could lead to selective enforcement,
particularly against marginalized families.
Lawmakers clashed over how the law would be enforced. Supporters said it
would allow regional education offices to track homeschool students and
investigate truancy. Opponents argued it could open the door to
harassment.
Estrada said the bill would allow regional offices of education to
request a homeschooling family’s educational portfolio at any time, even
as often as once a month. Costa Howard rejected that interpretation,
saying such an investigation would only come if serious allegations
arise.
“That is simply not true, that is not in the bill, that is not what the
law says. You are wrong,” she said.
Another point of contention was the impact on private schools. The bill
would require all private elementary and secondary schools to register
with the state and submit student information upon request.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois opposed the measure, saying it would
force religious schools to hand over confidential data. Bob Gilligan,
the organization’s executive director, said he understands the aim of
the legislation is to ensure homeschooled children are safe and receive
a sufficient education but doesn’t believe the measure would accomplish
that.
“It is unclear how this bill will advance either of those goals,” he
said.
Costa Howard defended the measure as a necessary safeguard.
“This bill is about the thousands of children whose voices are not
heard,” she said. “I am the voice of the voiceless here today, and I
will continue to fight for them.”
Capitol News Illinois is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government
coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily
by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick
Foundation. |
