The legislature is not in session this week, but there’s plenty of work to do as thousands of bills have been filed and as we prepare for the Governor’s budget address next week. On top of that the Federal jury continues to deliberate in Mike Madigan’s corruption trial. You’ve probably already heard enough on those topics, so this week in my newsletter, I want to highlight an issue I’ve heard about from many constituents – homeschooling. But first, I’ll share our new committee assignments. And make sure you read to the end for details on joining me for a tele-town hall!
Committee Assignments
Last week, I was appointed as the Republican Spokesman for the Adoption & Child Welfare, Appropriations-Pensions & Personnel, and Personnel & Pensions Committees. As you’ve probably noticed, I spend a lot of time in these newsletters talking about child welfare and pension policy. These are two policy areas where I’m looking forward to continuing my work as the top Republican on these committees. I’ve also been appointed to Cities & Villages, Judiciary (Civil), and Revenue & Finance. Finally, I’ve been re-appointed to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).
Each of these committees tackle critical issues—protecting vulnerable children, addressing pension reform, and shaping policies that have an impact on local governments, the judicial system, and Illinois’ financial future. I take these responsibilities seriously and will continue fighting for fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and policies that serve the people of Illinois—NOT political agendas.
Hot Topic of the Week: Dems Try to Put the Clamps on Homeschoolers
Before the COVID school closures and radical curriculum mandates, Illinois law recognized the rights of parents to homeschool their children with little interference from the state. In an environment that is oftentimes parent-unfriendly, the one area of freedom for parents and families during the COVID restrictions in Illinois was homeschooling. Unsurprisingly, many families who saw Zoom-schooling for the failure that it was made the difficult choice to switch to homeschooling. Families turned to homeschooling not as an escape or as a way to keep their children away from learning, but as a proactive choice to provide what they believe is the best education for their children.
A bill (H.B. 2827) was recently filed in the Illinois House to give the state more homeschooling oversight. The preamble of the bill acknowledges that: “[H]omeschooling is currently the fastest growing form of education in the United States.” It then goes on to claim that “The laws of this State do not adequately protect homeschooled children in situations when notification of the type of schooling of the child would help reduce vulnerabilities to abuse and neglect.” On its face, this seems like a noble goal – to protect children. But what they really want is to protect their public school monopoly.
Last week I spoke with one of the Co-sponsors of the bill, who told me that the only intent of the bill was to verify that kids who are not showing up for school are enrolled in a home school program and are not to be considered truant. When you read the bill, however, you see that there’s a lot more in there than just that. Also included in the bill are the following:
- Requires that families who choose to homeschool annually file an open-ended report to their local public school district of their child’s enrollment in a homeschool program. (Section 20(a))
- Allows local school districts to impose additional educational requirements of homeschooled students to conform to curricula offered in public schools. (Section 20(c))
- It adds new educational requirements for homeschool parents. (Section 20(f))
- If families do not comply with the reporting requirement, the child is considered truant. This can ultimately lead to criminal penalties for parents and children. (Section 25(a))
- Requires DCFS to report if a child whom the Department has had contact with is being homeschooled. (Section 40)
- It adds new requirements for private schools, not just home schools, across the state to report student information to the state government. (Section 915). I’ll bet this comes as a surprise to private and parochial school administrators!
I might support a bill that goes no further than informing a local school district that a child is being homeschooled. Such a notice would relieve the school district of the responsibility to investigate truancy without infringing on parents’ rights educate their children as they see fit within the law.
This bill, however, treats homeschooling families as if they’re under suspicion, they’re guilty until proven innocent and it doubles down on the erosion of parental rights. Nowhere have I seen that “educational neglect” is running rampant throughout Illinois to such an extent that it requires this kind of response. This appears to be nothing more than a solution in search of a problem. It’s the proverbial camel’s nose under the tent flap.
Parents don’t homeschool their kids in a vacuum. Here in McHenry County and throughout Illinois there are a multitude of resources available to parents who want to homeschool (click here, here, here, here and here). Any parent who wants to see his or her kid go on to college is already keeping track of lesson plans and academic progress. They don’t need Big Brother looking over their shoulders.
Our institutions have eroded public trust through their repeated failures. The answer to this crisis of confidence is not more regulation but a recommitment to respecting and empowering individuals and families. Adding layers of bureaucracy does nothing to rebuild trust; it only deepens the divide between parents and the state. This isn’t unique to Illinois or to this issue. Americans are more unified now than ever in their mistrust of institutions. Why is this the case? It is not because the “people” are misinformed or stupid, it is because these institutions and the government have failed them and have acted in ways to lose their trust.
I am strongly opposed to HB 2827 because we’ve seen too many times that when the government starts encroaching on parental rights under the guise of regulation, it becomes increasingly difficult to draw the line. You will not find an elected official more committed to protecting children from neglect or abuse than me. Reforming our broken child welfare system is my top priority. This bill isn’t the answer.
Families that choose public, private, or home schools are doing their best to raise and educate the next generation. They deserve our support, not our suspicion. As your representative, I will continue to stand against legislation that infringes on parental rights and undermines educational freedoms for families. If you agree with me, I ask that you click here and sign an online petition voicing your opposition to H.B. 2827.
Political Violence Is Never Acceptable
Recently a brick was thrown through the window of the office of two of my colleagues.
You can read more about the incident and Sen. Bryant and Rep. Severin’s responses here.
I don’t care who did this, and I don’t care what their motivations were. This kind of behavior has to stop. Violence is never the answer, and we have an obligation to speak out when incidents like this happen. Whoever is putting people up to doing this through their words or their actions have got to be called out as the cowards that they are.
Join Me for a Tele-Townhall
Representative Jeff Keicher and I will be holding a tele-townhall on Wednesday, February 26th from 6:30-7:30 P.M. We’ll be discussing the Governor’s budget address, and you’ll have a chance to call in to ask us questions about what’s going on in Springfield. Your input is valuable to us, so I hope you can join us. Here is the call-in number for you to join – 815-580-3237.
Free Firelight Family Walk
You and your family can take an evening stroll through the illuminated walking path in Emricson Park on March 7th. Meet and end at the Main Pavilion. Warm up with cocoa and a fire after your walk.
