East Central Reporter

Blaine Wilhour, a representative for Illinois State House District 110, said he supports homeschooling families "against intrusive government mandates" and emphasized the importance of protecting "homeschool freedom in Illinois." He made this statement in a Facebook post on March 12.

"I stand with homeschool families against intrusive government mandates," said Wilhour, State Representative, according to Facebook. "We must protect homeschool freedom in Illinois."

According to Wilhour, he shared a link to a Chicago Tribune editorial posted on March 11. The editorial criticizes House Bill 2827 for its perceived overreach. The bill has sparked controversy due to the possibility that homeschool parents could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and face up to 30 days in jail if they fail to properly complete homeschool paperwork or notify local education authorities of their intent to homeschool. The editorial also raises concerns about the open-ended nature of information collection outlined in the bill, which would require private schools to share similar information as homeschool parents. The editorial board notes that more than 21,000 individuals filed witness slips opposing the bill.

Screenshot of State Representative Blaine Wilhour's March 12 Facebook post | State Representative Blaine Wilhour Facebook page

House Bill 2827 mandates that the Illinois State Board of Education create a homeschool declaration form for administrators to submit information to the school district where the student would otherwise attend. According to the bill's synopsis, it proposes penalties for students whose homeschool administrators fail to notify the public school district of their status and requires proof of immunization and health exams or a signed exemption certificate from homeschool students. Filed by Representative Terra Costa Howard on February 5, the bill was assigned to the House Education Policy Committee on March 4. Howard filed an amendment to the bill on March 13.

Illinois Policy describes the bill as an attack on parents' rights, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 100 years ago affirming parents' right to direct their children's upbringing and education. According to Illinois Policy, the legislation would also affect students and parents at private schools by requiring them to report detailed personal information to either the Illinois State Board of Education or regional offices of education, depending on their location.

Representative Blaine Wilhour has served Illinois's 110th District since 2019. A lifelong resident of Illinois, he served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1999 to 2005 and was deployed to Europe in 2002 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his official biography. His political career includes serving on the Fayette County Board. Wilhour is also a managing partner at his family’s post-frame construction company in Effingham County.