Introduction to the Debate

Homeschooling advocates are barraging Illinois legislators with voicemails, emails and social media messages to try to kill a measure that would require them to register with their local school districts.

The Proposed Measure

The issue is so contentious that state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Lombard, the bill’s sponsor, is accusing some advocates of “bullying.” The measure that is dividing the state Capitol would require homeschooling families to notify school districts when they homeschool and require administrators to have a minimum high school education. It would also require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to notify the Illinois State Board of Education if someone in their care is being homeschooled — which would allow them to check in to confirm the student is indeed being homeschooled.

Provisions of the Bill

A school district can also request that a homeschooling administrator provide an educational portfolio as evidence that the instruction is “sufficient” to satisfy education requirements. Another provision would allow the state to charge a parent with a Class C misdemeanor, with a criminal conviction amounting to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, for failing to fill out a homeschooling declaration form — which is already standard practice in truancy laws. An immunization records requirement in the bill applies only if homeschooled students access public school activities, and is not a point of contention for opponents.

Allegations of Intimidation

Costa Howard said some of the “antics” homeschooling advocates are using “is actually turning people off.” “We as legislators should never be intimidated by individuals who are bullying. To need a police escort to get in and out of my office in the Capitol, I think, is a bit much,” Costa Howard said. “Heckling in chambers, heckling during committee. Those are things that are not helpful for someone’s cause.”

Strong Advocacy

Proponents of homeschooling regulation tried to pass a similar bill in 2011 but were met with intense opposition. This year, in addition to bringing pies to legislators on Illinois Christian Home Educators’ annual “Cherry Pie Day” earlier this month, homeschooling advocates have been jamming up legislators’ inboxes, Facebook pages and voicemails with pleas to nix the measure. “Oh, it ranks in the calls of strong advocacy. It’s right up there with my 18 years here, where you get calls about bills and they trickle in, but you also have issues that rank very high where the advocacy is strong,” state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said.

Ongoing Discussions

Costa Howard said discussions on changes to the measure are ongoing — but she’s still fighting for the bill’s passage despite the onslaught of opposition. “If the request is to drop the bill and have zero protections for Illinois, for Illinois children, that’s not [under] negotiation,” said Costa Howard. “I am not giving up on the children of Illinois.” The measure cleared a House education committee on Wednesday as thousands of homeschooling advocates flooded the Capitol.

Defense of Homeschooling

Will Estrada, chief counsel of the Home School Legal Defense Association, calls allegations that homeschooled children aren’t really receiving an education or are truants “just not true.” But a ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois investigation last year revealed little accountability for parents who take their kids out of school and then fail to give them an education. In some cases, the children were abused at home — which went unnoticed because they were not in a school. Estrada fought back on that characterization, calling them “outlier examples.”

Burden on Regional Offices

Estrada said the measure would put an additional burden on regional offices of education, Chicago Public Schools and DCFS, which he called “already overworked” and “underfunded.” As of Thursday afternoon, there were 42,154 opponents and 1,045 proponents of the bill on submitted witness slips. Among those opposing the measure is Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna.

Opposition to Regulation

“They’re looking for a problem that doesn’t exist,” McCombie said. “Obviously, it adds several requirements and adds burdens to not just the homeschooler and the parents, but school districts.” Asked if she would support any type of regulations for homeschoolers, McCombie called it “a slippery slope.” “I think we need to worry about our public schools first,” McCombie said.

Conclusion

The debate over homeschooling regulation in Illinois continues to be a contentious issue, with proponents of the measure arguing that it is necessary to protect the welfare of children, while opponents argue that it is an overreach of government authority. As the measure makes its way through the legislative process, it remains to be seen whether it will ultimately be passed into law.

FAQs

1. What is the proposed measure regarding homeschooling in Illinois?
   The proposed measure would require homeschooling families to notify school districts when they homeschool and require administrators to have a minimum high school education.
2. Why are homeschooling advocates opposing the measure?
   Homeschooling advocates are opposing the measure because they believe it is an overreach of government authority and would put an additional burden on homeschooling families.
3. What are the provisions of the bill?
   The bill would require homeschooling administrators to have a minimum high school education, and would allow school districts to request educational portfolios as evidence of sufficient instruction.
4. How many people are opposing the measure?
   As of Thursday afternoon, there were 42,154 opponents of the bill on submitted witness slips.
5. What is the next step in the legislative process for the measure?
   The measure has cleared a House education committee and will continue to make its way through the legislative process.