Lake County Gazette

Illinois parents have united in a protest to defend their right to homeschool without restrictions, according to Jay Swidler, chairman of the Vernon Township Republicans. Swidler urged lawmakers to respect these freedoms and support family-driven learning during his statement to the Lake County Gazette on March 12.

"Illinois parents gathered in force at the Capitol, making it clear that they stand against restrictive homeschooling regulations," said Swidler. "Their dedication to their children's education was evident in their passionate calls for freedom and flexibility. The large turnout demonstrated the strength of their commitment to shaping their children's future. Lawmakers must recognize this movement as a testament to parental dedication and respond with policies that support—not hinder—families."

Capitol News Illinois reported that hundreds of families gathered on March 6 in Springfield to protest against the Homeschool Act, a bill requiring families to notify school districts if they choose to homeschool. Currently, Illinois has some of the least restrictive homeschool laws in the nation, with no requirements for registration, curriculum, or testing. The proposed legislation would introduce statewide data collection and mandatory regulation for homeschooling families. Supporters argue that school choice offers solutions to challenges faced by public schools, noting a decline in Illinois public school enrollment by 127,000 since 2020.

The Homeschool Act (HB2827) would require homeschool administrators to submit a Homeschool Declaration Form confirming a child's enrollment in a homeschool program. Students whose administrators fail to submit this form would be considered truant and face penalties. The act also outlines requirements for homeschool administrators, programs, and reporting.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reports that homeschooled students score 15–25 percentile points higher on standardized tests than their public school counterparts. Furthermore, 78% of studies favor homeschooled students over traditional school students academically. NHERI states that homeschooled students' success is not significantly related to parental education level or household income. Additionally, homeschooled students perform above average on the SAT and ACT exams, leading to increased college recruitment.

Swidler was first elected as Chairman of the Vernon Township Republicans in 2024. According to the organization’s website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Vernon Township voters."