Parents and lawmakers slam Illinois homeschooling bill, calling it an assault on family autonomy – The Times of India

Illinois lawmakers are facing fierce opposition to a new bill that seeks to impose stricter regulations on homeschooling. The controversial legislation, known as HB2827 or the Homeschool Act, has been described by critics as an assault on family autonomy and parental rights. The bill would require homeschooling parents to fill out a “homeschool declaration form” that registers them with the nearest public school district. Those who fail to comply would face penalties, with their children being classified as “truant.”
The bill also mandates that homeschooled children provide documentation of immunizations and health examinations to participate in public school activities. These provisions have sparked alarm among parents, educators, and even some lawmakers across the state. The Illinois State Board of Education’s Education Policy Committee is currently reviewing the bill, but the opposition is growing stronger each day.
Rising opposition to HB2827
As reported by the New York Post, Illinois state senator Neil Anderson revealed that nearly 30,000 witness slips opposing the bill have been submitted. These objections have been part of a growing outcry from families and educators who believe the bill infringes on their freedom to make educational choices for their children. “Make your voice heard and protect our right to homeschool!” Anderson urged on Facebook, calling for a resubmission of witness slips ahead of the House Education Policy Committee meeting on March 19.
The bill’s opponents argue that it takes away the control parents have over their children’s education. “The loss of their autonomy is a major concern,” said Illinois state representative La Shawn Ford, as quoted by the New York Post. Ford, a Democrat, emphasized that many homeschooling families value their ability to choose curriculum and teaching methods that best suit their children’s needs.
Republican lawmakers weigh in
Republican lawmakers, including Chris Miller, a representative in the Illinois House of Representatives, have also strongly condemned the bill. Miller, a father of seven homeschooled children, described HB2827 as a direct assault on families. He expressed concern that the bill would force homeschooling families to conform to a set of public school requirements, undermining their right to educate their children in a way they see fit. “I find this bill to be a direct assault on families across Illinois,” Miller wrote on Facebook.
The controversy surrounding the bill has sparked bipartisan concern, with both conservative and liberal voices joining in the opposition. As the bill continues to gain traction, its fate now lies in the hands of lawmakers who will have to decide whether to impose stricter regulations on homeschooling in Illinois.