Kane County Reporter

Devin Corbett, chairman of the Aurora Township Republicans, said that Illinois parents have united in a protest to defend their right to homeschool freely. He urged lawmakers to respect freedom and support family-driven learning. Corbett made his statement to Kane County Reporter on March 12.

"Illinois parents have made their voices heard with a powerful show of unity at the Capitol, standing together to defend their right to educate their children freely," said Corbett. "Their passionate protest reflects a deep commitment to providing quality education without unnecessary government interference. The overwhelming turnout sends a hopeful message that engaged citizens can shape policy and protect their freedoms. Lawmakers now have an opportunity to listen, respond with fairness, and support families who are dedicated to giving their children the best possible education."

According to Capitol News Illinois, hundreds of families protested on March 6 in Springfield against the Homeschool Act, a bill requiring families to notify school districts if they homeschool. Illinois currently has some of the nation’s least restrictive homeschool laws, with no registration, curriculum, or testing requirements. The new legislation would introduce statewide data collection and mandatory regulation on homeschoolers. Supporters of homeschooling argue that school choice offers solutions to public school challenges, as Illinois public school enrollment has declined by 127,000 since 2020.

The proposed legislation, HB2827, also known as the Homeschool Act, would create a Homeschool Declaration Form for use by a homeschool administrator to submit information indicating that a child is enrolled in a homeschool program. The act states that a student enrolled in such a program without notifying the public school or district with the form is considered truant and subject to penalties. It also sets forth requirements for homeschool administrators and programs and reporting requirements.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reported that homeschooled students score 15–25 percentile points higher on standardized tests than public school students. Additionally, 78% of studies favor homeschoolers over traditional schoolers academically. According to NHERI, homeschooled students’ success is not notably related to parental education level or home income. Homeschooled students also perform above average on the SAT and ACT, leading to increased college recruitment.

Corbett was first elected as Chairman of the Aurora Township Republican Party 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 Aurora Township voters."