HB 2827 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

HOMESCHOOL ACT

Summary
Creates the Homeschool Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create a Homeschool Declaration Form to be used by a homeschool administrator to submit information indicating that a child is enrolled in a homeschool program to the principal of the public school or to the school district that the homeschooled child would otherwise attend. Provides that a student enrolled in a homeschool program in which the homeschool administrator has not notified the public school or school district with the Homeschool Declaration Form is considered truant, with penalties applying. Provides that if a child in a homeschool program seeks to enroll part time in a public school or participate in any public school activities taking place on or off of school grounds, the homeschool administrator must submit proof that the child has received all required immunizations and health examinations or a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption. Sets forth requirements for homeschool administrators and programs and reporting requirements. Makes conforming and other changes in the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, and the Illinois School Student Records Act, including requiring (rather than allowing) nonpublic schools to register with the State Board of Education.
Bill status in committee 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Apr 11, 2025 Last action Apr 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to shift from a strict regulatory framework to a more permissive model that recognizes homeschooling as a valid alternative to public education. The new version removes punitive truancy penalties for unregistered homeschools, expands the definition of who can be a homeschool administrator, and clarifies that homeschooling can include multiple students from the same household.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include homeschools with multiple students from the same household and removed exemptions for non-home-based nonpublic schools that were previously excluded from certain provisions.
DEFINITION

Redefined 'Homeschool' to allow multiple students from the same household and clarified that it does not apply to cooperative agreements between separate households.

Changed 'Homeschool administrator' from a parent or guardian to any person providing instruction, including third parties, while excluding curriculum publishers.

Added definitions for 'Adequate education', 'Board', 'Department', 'Regional superintendent', and 'Student's address'.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed the finding that unregistered homeschools constitute truancy and the associated penalties.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement for homeschool administrators to submit proof of immunizations or a religious exemption certificate if a child seeks part-time enrollment in public school.

Replaced the requirement to submit a 'Homeschool Declaration Form' with a new 'notification form' that must be submitted by September 1 of each year.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the exclusion of non-home-based nonpublic schools from the application of the Act.

Floor votes · House Apr 11, 2025

How they voted

6641
Failed · 11 other
Total votes 118
Apr 11, 2025
D Democratic78
66 Yea 2 Nay 10
84% Yea
R Republican40
39 Nay 1
97% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
87
Key actions
15
Committee
18
Amendments
13
Apr 11, 2025
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Introduced
Note / Motion Filed - Note Act Does Not Apply Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (66-41-11)
house
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 State Debt Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Racial Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Pension Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Home Rule Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Correctional Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Balanced Budget Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Judicial Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 State Debt Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Racial Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Pension Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Home Rule Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Correctional Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Balanced Budget Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Judicial Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Amy Elik
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 008-004-001
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Education Policy Committee
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
1 primary · 16 co-sponsors

Sponsors