Dupage Policy Journal

Democratic Illinois State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) recently said that she supports Illinois HB2827, a proposed bill aimed at increasing oversight of homeschooling in the state. Stava-Murray made her comments in a March 20 Facebook post.

“Have been getting some questions on how I’ll vote on the bill putting the most basic of regulations on parents who say they homeschool to register with their local district and either opt in or out of community resources,” Stava-Murray said. “I’m not just a yes; I’m a Hell yes. This is long overdue.”

Illinois HB2827 is a proposed bill that seeks to regulate homeschooling by requiring parents to register with their local school district. The bill mandates that homeschooled children be given access to community resources, with parents required to decide whether to opt in or out of these services. It also introduces a vaccine requirement for children wishing to participate in sports, though medical exemptions would allow for participation with a valid doctor's note.

HB 2827 has garnered significant criticism with a primary concern being the bill's requirement for homeschooling families to submit a "Homeschool Declaration Form" to their local public school district annually. According to the New York Post, Failure to comply could result in children being classified as truant, with potential penalties including fines, imprisonment, or removal from the home. 

Additionally, the bill mandates that homeschooled children provide documentation of immunizations and health examinations to participate in public school activities, ABC 7 News reports. This provision has raised alarms among parents and educators who view it as an infringement on personal freedoms and parental rights.

Furthermore, the bill's requirements extend to private schools, including religious institutions. This has led to concerns about potential conflicts with religious freedoms and the autonomy of faith-based educational institutions. Leaders from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have expressed that the bill's measures "overstep the bounds of decency" in pursuit of educational goals.

Anne Stava-Murray is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 81st district since January 9, 2019, according to her Ballotpedia page. The district includes areas in DuPage and Will counties, such as Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Woodridge, Darien, Westmont, and Bolingbrook. Stava-Murray previously served on Naperville's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.