East Central Reporter

State Representative Chris Miller from Hindsboro, Illinois, has expressed strong opposition to House Bill 2827, known as the "Homeschool Act." This piece of legislation has stirred significant debate among homeschool communities and lawmakers alike. Miller, a Republican, argues that the bill infringes on the freedoms of homeschool parents, asserting that it mandates excessive state oversight.

According to Miller, the bill would require homeschool families to comply with several new regulations. He has detailed these concerns, stating that HB 2827 creates a child registry including children's gender, and imposes jail time for failing to file the required form. Additionally, the bill allows for the demand of an "education portfolio" from homeschool families at any time, and specifies more stringent requirements for homeschool administrators than for public schools. Other points of contention include a registry of residents' religions and regulations extended to private schools.

Miller’s position is that the bill represents an overreach by what he terms "radical Democrats," whom he accuses of attempting to strip freedoms from Illinoisans and impose mandates on responsible parents. He appeals to parents to "stand up and speak out against the tyranny." He further contends that the focus on homeschool families distracts from other issues, such as state expenditure on services for illegal immigrants.

The bill has not yet been put to a vote in the House but has passed through committee. It faces substantial opposition, with over 51,000 witness slips filed against it, reflecting the views of thousands of families who oppose state interference in their personal decisions regarding education.