Democrats in Illinois continue to push overreaching legislation and expansion of government, and the latest example comes in the form of HB 2827, filed last week in the House by a Cook County Democrat. Creation of the ‘Homeschool Act’ will impact thousands of Illinois families who have lawfully chosen to homeschool their children.
HB 2827 would allow public schools to mandate homeschool families to produce an educational portfolio which would then have to be approved. New regulations would also mandate homeschool families to surrender private information and sensitive data to the State Board of Education. In addition, families with special needs children or IEPs could be the most negatively impacted with this legislation.
“Families who make the decision to homeschool their children invest thousands of hours and years of hard work in providing quality, non-public school education for their children,” said Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). “This legislation insinuates that homeschool families are not teaching their children correctly, and should instead follow the whatever the heavy hand of Illinois government deems important. I will be voting NO on this egregious overreaching homeschooling regulation bill. If you agree with me, please take a minute to sign my petition in opposition.”
In the post-pandemic world, homeschooling is on the rise across the country. Families can choose to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons, including educational, social, emotional, or safety concerns. Representative Meier believes each family in Illinois has a right to choose their child’s educational path.
Meier is encouraging constituents of his district who agree with his opposition to HB 2827 to sign his petition to protect homeschool freedom at this link, or at charliemeier.net.