March 25, 2025
Pacific Justice Institute – Center for Public Policy Urges Illinois
Lawmakers to Oppose Burdensome Restrictions on Homeschooling
Families
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today the Pacific Justice Institute joined thousands of families to
urge lawmakers to stop legislation attacking private and home schools in violation of
parental rights and religious freedoms.
As amended, House Bill 2827, the “Homeschools Act,” is a 60-page measure that would
create new requirements for private schools and homeschooling families to report their
educational activities to government authorities.
The bill would establish requirements for parents to meet to homeschool their children
and if they do not comply, they could face up to a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by
up to 30 days in jail, or removal of the children from their home.
“House Bill 2827 is an assault on the long-recognized foundational principle that parents
are the primary educators of their children,” said Brad Dacus, president and founder of
PJI. “For 100 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized a parent’s right to decide
their child’s education.”
Additionally, House Bill 2827 would require all elementary and secondary private
schools – including religious schools – to register annually with the state and report
detailed personal information on all enrolled students.
There are no guidelines within the bill to regulate how the collected information would
be used, stored, or accessed, making it ripe for government abuse.
Despite 90,000-plus public declarations of opposition, the measure passed out of the
House Education Policy Committee by a vote of 8-4 along party lines with 1 committee
member voting present. The bill now is before the full House of Representatives for a
vote.
“PJI has been advocating for homeschooling families since its inception and is firmly
committed to continue to fight against this attempted governmental overreach as it is
considered by Illinois lawmakers,” Dacus said.
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About Pacific Justice Institute
Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing
in the
defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties.
