State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) met with families at the Capitol today and continues his fight to protect the rights of parents to choose the best educational experience for their children. HB 2827, the “Homeschool Act,” was heard in committee today and passed over the objection of nearly 49,000 witness slip signers including families choosing home or private school for their children.
This bill mandates that non-public elementary and secondary schools register annually with the Illinois State Board of Education. It also requires homeschools to fill out a Homeschool Declaration Form or risk truancy, which could lead to fines and even imprisonment. It further requires administrators to submit personal information about themselves and their students to state and local authorities.
Some of my questions during the Education Policy Committee: HERE.
“While the public schools are failing our children, homeschools have been a positive alternative, empowering parents to place their children in education environments that help them learn and succeed,” said Rep. Blaine Wilhour. “The education establishment does not have a good track record. Just look at the test scores for reading and math…especially in the City of Chicago. They took away the “Invest in Kids” program that had a waiting list of students who wanted a better option to learn and succeed.”
The public has been vocal about their opposition to this state overreach. Over 48,000 motivated residents filed witness slips in opposition to HB 2827. Thousands of Illinoisans took to the State Capitol today to express their opposition and speak to lawmakers about their positive experience with homeschooling.
HB 2827 was heard in the Education Policy Committee where Wilhour serves. Despite all Republicans voting in opposition, it passed committee, and can now proceed to the House Floor for a vote. Residents who agree HB 2827 should be stopped can sign House Republicans’ petition and file a witness slip at ilga.gov.
For more information on the Homeschool Act, please visit The Caucus Blog.
Some of the news coverage of the morning by Danielle Wallace & Garrett Tenney of Fox News: HERE.
