North Cook News

Mark Albers, President of Niles Township Republicans, said that although the Homeschool Act is currently stalled, it has initiated a significant grassroots movement. He urged liberty-minded individuals in Illinois to remain engaged. Albers made these remarks to North Cook News.

"Even though the Homeschool Act is stalled, the battle for liberty in Illinois is far from over," said Albers. "Homeschooling families—arguably the most politically effective liberty-minded group in the state—showed what happens when citizens stand up and get loud. The question now is whether the tens of thousands who rose up will stay in the fight—and whether others will join them. This is a call to action: if a single community can push back, imagine what could happen if more conservative Illinoisans woke up and realized their rights are worth defending without apology."

According to Capitol News Illinois, House Bill 2827 missed a procedural deadline. However, its sponsor, Representative Terra Costa Howard, says it remains active as she considers suggestions from lawmakers. The bill proposes that parents file a declaration of intent and permits officials to request lesson plans during truancy investigations. It has faced strong opposition, particularly from Christian homeschooling groups who have welcomed its delay. Minority leaders and major editorial boards have also expressed concerns about potential overreach and the possible negative impact on families leaving public schools due to inadequacies. Costa Howard has requested an extension for the bill.

The proposed Homeschool Act would establish a "Homeschool Declaration Form" for homeschool administrators to submit information confirming a child's enrollment in a homeschool program. If a student is enrolled in such a program without notifying the public school or district via this form, they would be considered truant and subject to penalties. The act outlines requirements for homeschool administrators and programs along with reporting obligations.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reported that homeschooled students score 15–25 percentile points higher on standardized tests compared to their public school counterparts. Furthermore, 78% of studies favor homeschooled students academically over those in traditional schools. NHERI states that homeschooled students' success does not significantly correlate with parental education level or household income. These students also perform above average on standardized college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT, leading to increased interest from colleges.

Albers resides in Morton Grove, Illinois, and was appointed president of the Niles Township GOP organization early in 2024. He recently ran for Illinois House seat #15 and is dedicated to increasing Republican voter turnout in Niles Township, expanding Republican membership there, and effectively communicating Republican positions on key issues.