The Anti-Homeschool Movement Wants Control of Our Children

President Reagan rightly stated, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Today’s ominous version is, “Pass this legislation to protect children.”

Government is using emotionally charged language, yet again, “help” and “protect,” as keys to quietly unlock the Constitutional doors that safeguard us from government intrusion. Much like in Reagan’s era, homeschooling, along with parental and religious rights, are at a tipping point. As Daily Citizen has previously reported, Illinois is next.

Historically, Illinois has been one of the most homeschool friendly states in the country. Home education has flourished in Illinois under a 1950 Illinois Supreme Court decision, People v. Levisen, which affirmed that a home could legally be a private school and free from government interference, so long as basic subjects were taught in English.

Illinois House Bill 2827 (HB 2827), introduced by Rep. Terra Costa Howard, would dismantle this 70-year legal precedent by requiring parents to sign a “homeschool declaration form” – or face jail time

Jeff Lewis, President of the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE), says,

Those agencies are given the ability to adopt regulations and create rules … that would further restrict homeschooling and what parents are doing — but those people aren’t elected … This bill is laying a foundation for something beyond what’s actually written in the bill by giving the authority to these regulators to do more.

Upon its introduction, Rep. Howard’s opening statements referred to the bill as a “…minimal step to provide accountability.” What she didn’t acknowledge is that opens the door for criminal charges.

Section 20 of HB 2827 lays out the required information for a new “Homeschool Declaration Form”:

The form shall include, but not be limited to: the name, birth date, grade level, and home address of the child; the name, birth date, contact information, and home address of the homeschool administrator; and assurance that the homeschool administrator has received a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. The State Board of Education shall create the template.

This isn’t an update to “protect children” as claimed. Illinois is fundamentally shifting who holds authority over them, and it’s not their parents.

HB 2827 asserts the government — not the parent — is the ultimate authority, and protector of a child’s life.

It also assumes all parents are potential abusers, to be monitored by the state, otherwise children are at risk.

How could this happen in a state like Illinois?

In July 2024, a relatively unknown advocacy group called the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), not based in Illinois, released a fill-in-the-blank proposal called the Make Homeschool Safe Act.

Framed as a child-protection measure, this model legislation includes sweeping regulations: mandatory homeschool registration, state-approved curriculum standards, annual assessments, proof of parental qualifications, and submission of health records. In essence, giving local authorities unprecedented access into homeschooling.

At first glance, this proposed bill was just another draft with no traction. But something more strategic was underway; their goal was to set precedent and encourage other states to follow suit. With a Democratic supermajority in the Illinois House, Senate and Governor’s office, Illinois became the first test case.

Make Homeschool Safe Act states in section II:

• “There are a number of children being homeschooled in [STATE]. The true number of homeschooled children is likely to remain unknown without adequate notification and oversight.
  
• “The laws of [STATE] do not currently provide adequate protection for homeschooled children, leaving them vulnerable to child abuse and educational neglect.
  
• “It is in the interest of the Legislature to ensure homeschooled children are safe and receive a sufficient education.
  
• The purpose of this legislation is “to affirm and protect homeschooled children’s right to comprehensive education and a safe home environment.”

But this is where legislators get it wrong; homeschoolers are not more likely to be abused, nor fall behind academically. In fact, homeschooled students consistently outperform their peers and experience high levels of well-being.

At its core, it’s not about test scores or curriculum; it’s about control.

Once that foundation is laid, other states will have a precedent to point to. And they will want to pass similar legislation.

This fight matters, and far beyond Illinois. It is a turning point in the national conversation about educational freedom, parental rights and the future of homeschooling in America.

It’s about what kind of nation we’re becoming. One that trusts parents, or one that replaces them.

Image from Shutterstock.