From State Rep. TomWeber:
Rep. Tom Weber Advocates for Home and Private School Families
“Homeschool Act” Passes Committee Despite Overwhelming Opposition
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) continues to advocate for the rights of parents to choose which form of education is best for their children.
House Bill 2827, or the “Homeschool Act,” was heard in committee yesterday and passed despite objections raised by tens of thousands of families who choose home or private education for their children.
This bill mandates that non-public elementary and secondary schools register annually with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and requires homeschools to fill out a Homeschool Declaration Form or risk fines and even imprisonment.
HB 2827 also requires school administrators to share personal information about themselves and their students with state and local authorities.
“Illinois should not only allow but encourage parents to decide which educational experience is best for their children because every student and every family is different,” said Rep. Weber.
“More than that, keeping tabs on every choice parents make about what is best for their child is an unnecessary overreach.”
Representative Weber’s displeasure with HB 2827 has been echoed statewide since the bill was first filed in February. Prior to the bill’s hearing in the House Education Policy Committee, more than 48,000 Illinoisans filed witness slips in opposition to the new legislation.
Yesterday, thousands of residents gathered at the Capitol to voice their staunch opposition and speak with legislators about their positive experiences with homeschooling their children.
“This legislation obviously misses the mark in a number of ways.” Weber said. “The State is taking a leap in the wrong direction by burdening parents with new mandates and I remain strongly opposed to doing so.”
Despite “no” votes from all Republicans, House Bill 2827 passed the House Education Policy Committee and now heads to the House Floor for a vote.
Residents who believe HB 2827 should not be passed can sign Rep. Weber’s petition and file a witness slip at ilga.gov. For more information on the Homeschool Act and how to fight, please visit The Caucus Blog.
