Kane County Reporter

Katie McNamara, a mother of four and homeschooling parent based in Elgin, is adding her voice to the growing chorus of parents opposed to House Bill 2827—the Homeschool Act—a controversial measure that would significantly increase state oversight of homeschooling.

McNamara, who describes herself as “left-leaning,” takes issue with what she saw as excessive bureaucratic demands placed on parents.

Opponents say HB2827, sponsored by State Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Elln), unfairly targets homeschoolers, especially those responding to urgent situations like bullying or school-related trauma. By imposing strict registration deadlines and increased oversight, they argue, the bill would create obstacles for families at their most vulnerable.

The bill has garnered 42,000 witness slips in opposition. 

McNamara described how personal experience with bullying in a public school first pushed her family toward homeschooling. 

She said what began as a temporary measure soon became a lifestyle, one she says better supports her children's unique needs and learning styles.

“When my 13-year-old was actually in second grade, she had a bit of a bullying issue,” McNamara told the Kane County Reporter. “And I wasn’t thrilled about how the school handled it. They kind of made it not just focused on stopping this child from what he was doing—which caused not even just my daughter, but other students, a lot of problems—but they kind of put it on her that she needed to kind of make some changes. And I wasn't happy with that.”

After switching schools and navigating the disruptions of COVID-19, McNamara found herself embracing the flexibility homeschooling provided. But she now fears that HB2827 could unravel that freedom.

"I think the bill would mess with that because to come in and assume that you don't know what you're doing,” she said. “Any parent would be wise to learn how to teach. You know, I have a daughter who kind of struggled with reading right now, and for a long time it was me learning how to teach to do that. And eventually I said, ‘Okay, well, I can reach out for extra intervention on my own,’ whereas I thought initially I needed to rely on a public school to do it."

Critics say recent amendments to the bill amount to a sweeping overhaul, introduced with limited public input and designed to impose burdensome new mandates on homeschool families.

Concerns include increased data collection from private education providers, potential state oversight of homeschool curricula, and vague language that could open the door to government overreach.

“I was writing to Dick Durbin just yesterday,” McNamara said. “It’s hard with everything on my plate—working two jobs, homeschooling, and being in school myself—but I want to make my voice heard,” she said.  

McNamara also reflected on the broader reasons many families are turning to homeschooling, particularly since the pandemic.

“When we first started in 2021, our homeschool (co-op) class was small,” she said. “Now? It’s exploded. There are so many options now—cooking classes, nature groups, sewing, tutoring, even basketball teams. You wouldn’t see that kind of growth if there wasn’t demand. People realized during COVID that homeschooling gives you freedom, and they want to hold on to that.”

At the heart of McNamara’s perspective is a belief that homeschooling should remain a protected parental choice, not one heavily policed by the state.

“We're part of a nature homeschool group, and I just love that there's so much that you can do,” he said. “I just hate to think that this would be taken away from us because of this bill. I mean, I often think about, you know, what kids in public schools get to do versus… and stuff that we get to do.”

The bill has stalled in the state legislature, prompting cautious optimism among homeschool advocates who fear the legislation threatens parental rights and educational freedom. 

Kirk Smith, Executive Director of the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE), said the bill’s sponsor appears to be making real-time changes in an effort to gain support from hesitant lawmakers. Notably, a recent carveout exempted brick-and-mortar Catholic schools from some provisions—but not Catholic homeschoolers, prompting frustration among faith-based families.

With the Illinois legislature set to reconvene on April 22, parents across the state are watching closely—and speaking up.