SE Illinois News

State Representative Patrick Windhorst has voiced his opposition to a newly proposed bill in Illinois that seeks to impose stricter regulations on homeschooling families. The legislation, known as HB 2827, was introduced this week and has raised concerns among those who educate their children at home.

Windhorst shared his perspective, stating, "I have received a multitude of calls and messages from homeschool families throughout the state, concerned that HB 2827 places unfair and cumbersome new regulatory burdens on them as they try to work to educate their children." He further added, "I am a product of public school, I send my kids to public school, but I support any family who chooses to educate their children in a homeschool environment. I am concerned that HB 2827 would unfairly hamper these families’ earnest efforts."

He also pointed out issues within the public school system's regulation by the state. "Our state government has placed a large number of onerous, time-taking, unfunded mandates on our public schools," he said. Windhorst suggested that efforts should focus on reforming these mandates rather than increasing regulations for homeschoolers.

To rally support against the bill, Windhorst is urging constituents to sign an online petition available at https://www.ilhousegop.org/windhorst_homeschool_petition.