Will County Gazette

Homeschooling families across Illinois are sounding the alarm over the amended version of House Bill 2827—the Homeschool Act—currently being considered in the state legislature, saying it threatens their rights, autonomy, and educational choices.

With over 42,000 witness slips filed in opposition to HB2827, sponsored by State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D–Glen Ellyn), the backlash has become one of the most intense grassroots responses in recent Illinois history.

Among those voicing concern is Sharon Mahalick, a second-generation homeschooler and mother of two, who has been educating her children at home in Frankfort.

“My concern has been raising and elevating, especially with this week's developments with the new amendments,” Mahalick told Will County Gazette. “One of the most alarming things that took place [in the recent hearing] was when a representative asked specifically regarding any sort of collaborative learning, co-op, and things of that nature… the representative there for the Illinois State Board of Education responded very clearly that any sort of collaborative learning is now going to need to be registered as a private school.”

Mahalick said that during the hearing Costa Howard treated opponents disrespectfully by downplaying their concerns about bureaucratic overreach.

She shared a message for Costa Howard and legislators whom the oppositional movement believes are not listening to the tens of thousands of those who are against the bill.

“Stop treating homeschoolers as if we are guilty before proven innocent,” she said. “I think that's the biggest thing that they need to work on. And additionally, stop being so demeaning and using rhetoric like, it's just a form. It's just the form. If it was just a forum, this legislation would not be hundreds of pages, you know? It's so much more than a form. And the demeaning way that homeschoolers and supporters of homeschooling are being talked to is so, so frustrating.”  

Costa Howard has also been accused of misrepresenting a mailed death threat—originating from New Jersey—amid the heated debate over HB2827. Critics argue that her statements are an attempt to portray homeschoolers as “dangerous” in order to deflect growing backlash against the controversial legislation.

Despite her concerns about Costa Howard’s portrayal of the homeschooling community, Mahalick said she has reached out to the offices of State Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D–Chicago Heights) and Sen. Patrick Joyce (R–Reddick), and their aides have listened to her concerns.

She emphasized that she is not alone, noting that homeschoolers from across the political spectrum are uniting in opposition.

“I’m seeing such an uptick in homeschooling from secular and Democrat families. They are just as upset about this bill as I am,” she said. “Homeschooling crosses party lines. We are united in this.”

Critics argue that the recent amendment to HB2827 significantly expands government authority over homeschooling without sufficient public input, introducing strict deadlines that could penalize families acting in crisis situations, such as bullying. Additional concerns center on potential state oversight of homeschool curricula, increased data collection from private schools and provisions that may infringe on family privacy and constitutional rights.

The amendment would also require co-ops—such as the Roots and Wings Christian homeschool cooperative, which Mahalick belongs to—to register as private schools.

Mahalick said this provision would devastate co-op programs that define and enrich the homeschooling experience for thousands of Illinois families.

“We have music lessons,” she said. “My son does the science club on Fridays. He does forest survival school on Wednesdays. We have a very large co-op with over 100 families in Frankfort that we do on Thursdays and I help teach there. If this bill were to go through, I just don’t see a good portion of them… being able to register as private schools, and I see many of our opportunities just drying up.”

Mahalick, who takes pride in running a rigorous and structured homeschool program, said the bill portrays homeschoolers as reckless or unaccountable—a depiction she finds deeply insulting.

“I take it really seriously, the responsibility of homeschooling my kids, and that’s I think why this has been so upsetting,” she said. “I feel like I’m being criminalized by the representatives… they have not educated themselves at all on what homeschool is.”

Particularly contentious is the suggestion that parents might be required to hold a GED or higher degree to legally homeschool their children. Mahalick said this calls into question her own diploma which she received as a homeschool pupil. 

“As a homeschool graduate myself, that’s incredibly upsetting,” Mahalick said. “My diploma has served me well for the last 20 years… my daughter is graduating next year with her high school diploma and a fully accredited bachelor's degree at 17 years old. But under this bill, my diploma is suddenly considered inferior.”

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) called out the amended version of HB2827 as a complete rewrite with little public notice. 

Will Estrada, HSLDA’s senior counsel, labeled the amended version “a completely new law,” warning that it could turn Illinois into “one of the worst states to homeschool in.”

While the bill’s sponsors and supporters—including the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE)—say the legislation is about protecting at-risk children, opponents argue it misdiagnoses the problem and could even make things worse.

“There was no proper follow-up in public schools after families were flagged. That’s a failure of procedure that started there, not in homeschooling,” Mahalick said. “The idea that this form is going to prevent anything is, to be honest with you… madness.” 

Opponents to the CRHE have called the group “a pro-authoritarian, pro-government regulation organization” who “are taking it as their mission to roll back homeschool freedom.”

At the heart of Mahalick’s critique is a plea for clarity, respect and genuine understanding.

“If Illinois wants a better understanding of homeschooling… they need to be very, very clear with the terms,” she said. “Stop criminalizing us. Stop treating homeschoolers as if we are guilty before proven innocent.”

Mahalick remains hopeful—but watchful.

“I would love to see the bill die, to be honest with you,” she said. “This is not about avoiding accountability. We want transparency. But don’t strip away everything we’ve built—everything that’s working—because of a fear rooted in misunderstanding.”