NW Illinois News

Mike Koolidge, chairman of the Ogle County Republicans, has expressed concern over the advancement of the Homeschool Act to the Illinois House floor. He described it as a "dangerous and urgent threat to parental rights that demands immediate, unified opposition." Koolidge made these remarks to NW Illinois News on March 27.

"The push for the Homeschool Act is a direct attack on families who choose a different educational path," said Michael Koolidge. "By moving it forward, lawmakers are sending a message that parental rights are secondary to state authority. This is a pivotal moment that requires strong and immediate opposition. Illinois parents must use their voices before it's too late for the next generation."

According to Capitol News Illinois, on March 19, the Illinois House Education Policy Committee voted 8-4 in favor of advancing the Homeschool Act. The proposed legislation would require homeschool families to notify school districts, mandate that parents possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and allow education officials to request proof of instruction from parents. Critics of the bill, including homeschool advocates and religious groups, argue that it constitutes government overreach. Over 40,000 witness slips were filed in opposition to the bill. Opponents claim it places undue burdens on low-income families and infringes upon the privacy of private and religious schools.

The Homeschool Act proposes creating a "Homeschool Declaration Form" for homeschool administrators to submit information indicating a child's enrollment in a homeschool program. Failure to notify public schools or districts with this form would result in students being considered truant, with penalties applied. The act also outlines requirements for homeschool administrators and programs as well as reporting obligations.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reports that homeschooled students score between 15–25 percentile points higher on standardized tests compared to their public school counterparts. Furthermore, NHERI states that homeschooled students' academic success is not significantly influenced by parental education level or household income. Homeschooled students also tend to perform above average on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, leading to increased college recruitment opportunities.

Koolidge was first elected as Chairman of the Ogle County Republican Party in 2022. According to the organization's website, he is focused on increasing Republican voter turnout, expanding party membership, and communicating party positions on issues relevant to Ogle County voters.