Testimony: ‘Homeschool Act’ is unconstitutional government intrusion into families’ privacy

By Mailee Smith

03/18/2025

As Illinois House members consider regulating homeschools and private schools, Illinois Policy and parents across Illinois have registered their opposition to government intrusion into constitutionally protected rights.

TAGS: homeschool, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, private schools

‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents

By Mailee Smith

03/14/2025

House Bill 2827 would require the collection of personal information – including religious affiliation – of private school and homeschool families all over the state. That violates families’ constitutional rights.

TAGS: education, homeschool, private schools

Keep investing in Illinois’ Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships

By Amy Korte

12/08/2021

Illinois state lawmakers resisted efforts to cut tax credit scholarships in Illinois, instead extending the program. Now low-income and minority students need them to make the scholarships permanent so they can get the educations that best fit their needs.

TAGS: education, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, private schools, school, school choice, tax credit scholarships, tax credits, taxes

Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition

By Patrick Andriesen

10/07/2021

Private schools will be granted a 60-day probation to address COVID-19 compliance issues in line with public school standards under ISBE’s updated policy. Nonrecognized schools were put on probation status Oct. 1.

TAGS: COVID-19, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, masks, private schools

Pritzker administration forces Christian school to follow mask mandate

By Noah Shaar

08/16/2021

Timothy Christian Schools tried to keep their mask-optional policy despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide school mask mandate. The state quickly stripped the schools of their recognition, crippling their high school seniors as they started college applications. Masks are now on.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, private schools

Even private schools must mask up after Pritzker flip-flop

By Patrick Andriesen

08/06/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to respect local school boards and private school autonomy, until too few were doing what he wanted. So he reversed himself, mandating masks for both private and public Illinois schools.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, private schools

Illinois bill to impose more public health controls on private schools dies

By Brad Weisenstein

05/31/2021

Private schools kept most of their students in class during the COVID-19 pandemic, making public schools look bad. Union bosses tried and failed to force through a bill to mandate state controls on private school operations in the case of a new health crisis.

TAGS: Illinois, private schools, teachers union

ISBE official confirms teachers’ union bosses have heavy hand in anti-private school bill

By Hilary Gowins

05/28/2021

Private schools found a way to stay open during the pandemic while the majority of public schools remained closed. Teachers’ union bosses want to rewrite the rules to handicap their competition should another state of emergency arise.

TAGS: emergency, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, private schools, teachers union

Bill giving state new powers to shut down private and public schools advances in General Assembly

By Amy Korte

05/27/2021

HB 2789 could threaten in-person instruction at public and private schools while the COVID-19 emergency order – or any other emergency order – persists.

TAGS: emergency, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, private schools, teachers union

Illinois takes aim at private schools with new bill

By Amy Korte

05/25/2021

An amendment to Illinois House Bill 2789 could result in a flurry of complaints against private and public schools for alleged violations of COVID-19 protocols, provides harsh penalties, including punishing teachers, and expands state authority over private schools.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, private schools, teachers union