Prairie State Wire

Calvin Lindstrom, Pastor for the Church of Christian Liberty, said that rallies and bipartisan backing played a role in halting a bill affecting homeschool families. The statement was made on the Prairie State Wire Podcast.

"We rallied in the Springfield several times in Chicago, and at least as of now, this legislation has been stopped," said Lindstrom, Pastor School Administrator. "Stopped. In part because some Democrats, thankfully it wasn't just the mighty Republican party in Illinois, which there is none unfortunately, but it was some Democrats, prominent Democrats from Chicago, in fact, who came to our side, at least in part."

Illinois lawmakers revisited homeschooling regulation in 2025 through HB2827, known as the "Homeschool Act," after earlier failed attempts in 2011 and 2019. According to Capitol News Illinois, the bill would have required mandatory notification, diploma standards, and possible portfolio reviews. This sparked intense grassroots backlash over parental rights and child safety concerns. The measure reflected a renewed push for oversight in a state with minimal requirements.

Illinois does not track exact homeschool enrollment, but withdrawal data shows steady growth. Capitol News Illinois reports that nearly 4,500 children left public schools for homeschooling in 2022, about double the figure from a decade earlier. The lack of a registration system complicates long-term trend analysis, leaving officials reliant on indirect measures to estimate growth.

Bipartisan opposition to HB2827 underscored the contentious nature of education legislation in Illinois. Chalkbeat Chicago reported that the proposal drew more than 40,000 witness slips in opposition, dwarfing typical response levels. Republican lawmakers voiced concerns during hearings, and the bill ultimately failed to advance in the House despite strong support from some child advocates.

Lindstrom serves as pastor of the Church of Christian Liberty and administrator at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, Illinois. According to Christian Liberty Academy, he earned degrees from the University of Illinois and Whitefield Theological Seminary. His leadership includes both pastoral duties and oversight of the academy’s educational programs. His work links religious ministry with Christian education policy.

Illinois treats homeschooling as a form of private schooling with minimal state oversight. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, families are not required to register or notify authorities but must teach core subjects in English and comply with compulsory attendance laws. Proposed legislation like HB2827 would have added new notification and accountability requirements.