AFP-Illinois Statement on Failed Bill to Criminalize Homeschooling
SPRINGFIELD, IL—As the 104th General Assembly comes to a close, so does the threat of the Homeschool Act, or House Bill 2827, that would have criminalized homeschooling in Illinois and created harsh penalties for parents, including possible jail time.
The Homeschool Act was a dangerous and oppressive measure that threatened to dismantle the freedoms of homeschool families across Illinois, which is why over 136,000 witness slips were filed in opposition to the three different versions of the bill. The bill would have created harsh consequences for students and parents and is an attack on parental rights, academic freedom, and individual privacy.
This bill’s failure is the culmination of the work of countless activists, parents, and families. House Education Committee Ranking Member Rep. Amy Elik, along with her Republican colleagues on the Education Policy Committee, along with key Democrat lawmakers including Rep, La Shawn Ford, were vital to protecting homeschooling in Illinois. A coalition of groups, especially HSLDA and ICHE, came together to protect school choice in the Land of Lincoln.
AFP-Illinois has run a grassroots and digital campaign against the legislation, culminating in a rally with over 7000 participants at the Illinois State Capitol in March.
AFP-Illinois State Director Jason Heffley issued the following statement:
“A broad coalition of bipartisan lawmakers, alongside activists, parents, and students, came together to defeat the Homeschool Act. The ability for parents to tailor an education of their choice to their kids’ needs is vital to the success of our students. Alternative education paths like homeschooling should be celebrated, not criminalized. Today is a great day for homeschooling families, but the fight is never over in Illinois.”
