Carbondale Reporter

Terri Bryant, a state senator for Illinois' 58th District, expressed her strong opposition to House Bill 2827, describing it as "a huge government overreach into the homes of Illinois homeschoolers." She shared this view in a Facebook post on March 1.

"I strongly oppose HB2827, a bill that would be a huge government overreach into the homes of Illinois homeschoolers," said Bryant, according to Facebook. "No on HB2827."

House Bill 2827 mandates the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a homeschool declaration form. This form would require administrators to submit information to the school district where the student would otherwise attend. The bill suggests penalties for students whose homeschool administrators do not notify the public school district of their status. It also requires homeschool students to provide proof of immunization and health exams or a signed exemption certificate. The bill was filed by Representative Terra Costa Howard on February 5 and assigned to the House Education Policy Committee on March 4.

Screenshot of State Representative Terri Bryant's March 1 Facebook post | State Senator Terri Bryant's Facebook page

According to Illinois Policy, the bill is seen as an infringement on parents' rights, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision from a century ago affirming parents' right to direct their children's upbringing and education. The proposed legislation would also affect private schools, requiring them to report various details about students and their families to educational authorities.

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has been monitoring the bill since its inception and notes that a hearing in the House Education Policy Committee is scheduled for March 12. HSLDA continues to track legislative activities related to the bill. On March 6, more than 2,000 parents and students gathered at the Illinois Capitol for Cherry Pie Day, an annual homeschool rally organized by Illinois Christian Home Educators, urging legislators to oppose House Bill 2827.

Bryant has been part of the Illinois General Assembly since 2014 and was elected to the state senate in 2020. Her career includes two decades with the Illinois Department of Corrections and significant political involvement prior to her election as a representative. Her official biography highlights roles such as precinct committee woman and vice president of the Jackson County Republican Women’s Club.