In a state with limitless opportunity yet vast room for improvement in many areas of state government, one thing we do very well in the Land of Lincoln is our “hands-off” approach toward those who choose to homeschool their kids. Illinois has a stellar reputation for respecting parents’ rights to make informed and autonomous decisions about their children’s education without layers of bureaucracy impeding those efforts.
Homeschooling in Illinois is a thriving community, with U.S. Census data estimating that between 20,000 and 40,000 K-12 students are part of it. These parents and guardians are dedicated to providing the best education for their children—an education they feel is lacking in the public school system. I am a product of public schools, and I know many Illinois families are grateful for the education their local schools provide. However, when a family chooses to homeschool, they should be free to do so without interference, as this right is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Unfortunately, this year, legislative Democrats have taken aim at the homeschool community by introducing House Bill 2827, which threatens to undermine parental rights and impose unnecessary regulations on homeschooling families. This bill would create additional hurdles for families, such as excessive paperwork and truancy penalties for non-compliance with paperwork—efforts that only complicate an incredibly successful system.
By imposing these heavy-handed regulations, lawmakers are essentially saying that they know what is best for every child, ignoring the truth that education should not be a one-size-fits-all system. Homeschooling is rooted in the belief that parents understand their children’s needs better than anyone. Rigid standards would only erode parental rights, stifle educational innovation, and restrict parents’ ability to teach in a customized way for each child’s unique needs.
Proponents of HB 2827 claim it will improve educational quality through enhanced accountability, but this premise is misguided. Homeschooling families are already held accountable through existing laws that require them to provide a well-rounded curriculum, with mandated lessons in language arts, math, biological and physical science, social studies, physical development, health, and fine arts—subjects also taught in public schools. The current system ensures that homeschooled students receive a quality education while maintaining the flexibility to learn in the best way for them.
Imposing additional mandates, however, could make homeschooling financially burdensome for many families. Some parents choose homeschooling because it is a cost-effective alternative to public schools, and adding compliance costs—such as assessment fees, oversight, or curriculum approvals—could make this option out of reach for some families. We cannot allow the imposition of new costs to price out homeschooling as a viable option for Illinois families.
As legislators, it is our duty to respect the choices of parents and guardians who choose to homeschool their children. We must work to ensure that this option remains accessible and viable for all Illinois families. House Bill 2827 would be a step backward for educational freedom and parental rights. It would restrict a system that has worked exceptionally well for tens of thousands of Illinois children.
Now more than ever, we must stand up for the rights of parents to educate their children according to their values, needs, and beliefs. Let’s protect the freedom to homeschool and ensure that it remains a choice available to every family in Illinois.
