A proposed bill introducing stricter regulations on homeschooling in Illinois is meeting significant resistance in Springfield, with critics, including homeschooling families and lawmakers, arguing it aims to curb educational choice.

State Representative Dr. Bill Hauter, a Morton Republican, warns the legislation is a step toward making homeschooling prohibitively difficult, if not eliminating it entirely. He suggests the bill is less about safety and more about shielding Illinois’ struggling public school system from competition.

Supporters of the bill claim it includes necessary safety measures for homeschooled students. Hauter counters there’s no evidence to support this claim, arguing the legislation distracts from addressing the deeper failures of public education.

The Morton Republican emphasizes the bill contradicts legislative priorities. He urges lawmakers to examine why families are increasingly choosing homeschooling, pointing to systemic issues in public schools as a driving factor.

The pushback isn’t limited to downstate Republicans. Dr. Hauter notes Illinois Democrats are struggling to rally their caucus behind the bill, reflecting its unpopularity among the general public.

Recent data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) underscores the public education challenges fueling the homeschooling debate. In Decatur, only 2% of black 3rd-graders and 16% of white 3rd-graders were reading at grade level in 2019. Math proficiency was even lower, with just 1% of black 3rd-graders meeting standards. Statewide, 2023 ISBE data revealed 67 schools had zero students proficient in math and 32 had none in reading, despite per-student spending as high as $24,000. Alarmingly, nearly 70% of students in these schools graduated, raising questions about accountability and standards.

As the homeschooling bill continues to spark debate, opponents like Hauter argue that lawmakers should focus on fixing public education rather than restricting families’ alternatives.