Illinois Law
The citizens of Illinois are truly blessed to have much freedom in the area of home education. Under Illinois law a homeschool is considered a private school, just like a private academy or church-based school. All private schools, including homeschools, are required to teach the branches of education that are taught to children of the same age and grade as in the public schools. For a more detailed analysis see here.
Legislative Task Force (LTF)
In 2008 the Christian Home Educators Coalition (CHEC) and ICHE formed a new strategic alliance to protect and defend the freedoms of homeschool families across the State of Illinois. The result was the formation of the new ICHE Legislative Task Force. ICHE created this new strategic task force as a permanent committee under the supervision of the ICHE Board of Directors, and was launched with energy, purpose, and inspiration. The Task Force works closely with Homeschool Legal Defense Assocation and other organizations that share ICHE’s vision for families to glorify Christ in the process of raising and educating their children. The ICHE Legislative Task Force monitors legislation at the state level, and works with local support groups when necessary to educate local politicians on the blessings and benefits of home education.
ICHE’s LTF has been around for over fifteen years, but its goals and efforts have been in existence for almost 35 years! LTF began when homeschool leaders were ready to pass on the mantle of coordinating Cherry Pie Day, and ICHE was prepared to dive right in.
Our desire with LTF is four-fold as it relates to our political/community involvement here in Illinois:
- Nurture
- Align
- Preserve
- Advance
We desire to nurture involvement at the local and state levels. We desire to align (and root) everything we do in Scripture as we carry out our operations. We desire to preserve the homeschooling liberties we have already enjoy in the state of Illinois. We desire to advance the homeschooling movement in Illinois – we cannot be complacent!
If this sounds like something your family wants to be involved in, we’re always looking for volunteers! Feel free to email us at LTF@iche.org to get the conversation going.
Illinois Legislative Battles
Spring 2011: Senate Bill 136
Spring 2025: House Bill 2827
Legal Representation
ICHE does not directly represent families, nor do we provide legal advice. We urge families in Illinois to join the Home School Legal Defense Association to protect their own rights and to preserve the freedom of families around the world to raise and educate their children as God calls them. HSLDA and ICHE were both formed in 1984. From the beginning we have partnered to protect our children from government officials who would put themselves in the place of parents. HSLDA is committed to ICHE’s vision for parents, and we value their work on our behalf.
Joining HSLDA is a great way to support homeschooling freedoms. Use the Group Name and Number to receive a discount.
Group Number: 299728
Group Name: ICHE
Your Legislators
Our friends at the Illinois Family Institute have provided a tool with which you may look up your elected officials.