Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Homeschool Act (HB2827)—a bill that critics say could have made Illinois one of the most restrictive states in the country for homeschooling families—appears to be stalled, at least for now.

But leaders in the homeschool community, including Will Estrada of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), are not letting their guard down.

Estrada, a homeschool graduate himself, has been leading opposition to the bill and remains wary despite recent signs of legislative inertia.

“I think where we are though now with less than three weeks to go before the session adjourns on May 31, and they've got some major issues, they have a budget bill, they've got a deficit in Illinois, so I am becoming more and more optimistic that HB 2827 is dead for the year,” Estrada told Prairie State Wire. 

“Of course, we are encouraging people to continue to maintain vigilance. We are watching closely. We have teams on the ground in Springfield. I'm actually flying out to Chicago on Monday for some meetings. So we're leaving nothing to chance because this bill truly is the most dangerous bill we've fought this year. And one of the most dangerous bills we've fought in our 42-year history here at HSLDA.”

Though the bill failed to meet the March 18 crossover deadline—a procedural cutoff for legislation to advance—Estrada warned that procedural loopholes and the bill’s influential sponsor, State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn), could keep the proposal alive.

“The bill should have been dead then and there,” Estrada said. “Having said that, this is Illinois, and there are some procedural ways that bills can be resurrected from the dead, and compounded with that, Terra Costa Howard is in leadership. So I've been reluctant to say it's officially dead at this point.” 

Originally introduced to impose new regulations on homeschoolers, HB2827 has been widely criticized by families, educators and civil liberties advocates. 

The amended version of the bill expanded state oversight in significant ways—including requirements for homeschool families to file withdrawal forms, authorizing truancy officers to investigate homeschooled children and granting broad rulemaking authority to the Illinois State Board of Education. 

In previous statements to Prairie State Wire, Estrada warned that passage of HB2827 could set a dangerous precedent nationwide, signaling that rollbacks of homeschool freedoms are politically viable.  

Critics also objected to what they call unfounded claims that homeschooled children are more at risk of abuse.

Estrada said the fight over HB2827 has drawn an unprecedented level of attention—both from media and within political circles—and could still make a surprise comeback before the legislative session ends May 31.

“It's been probably 15–20 years since I worked an issue for HSLDA that had this much media,” Estrada said. “The only other one that comes close is some of the work we've done.”

More than 42,000 Illinoisans filed witness slips in opposition to HB2827 earlier this year, and county boards like Madison County have even passed resolutions denouncing the bill. While the legislation is unlikely to advance in its current form, Estrada reiterated that HSLDA remains vigilant.

Estrada has urged homeschool families to take proactive civic steps, including thanking lawmakers who opposed the bill and encouraging local officials to speak out.

“We are in a framework and a posture of constant vigilance until the legislature adjourns,” he said. “But having said that, we are cautiously optimistic that this bill is dead, at least for this year.”