Illinois

Illinois treats homeschools as private schools with minimal requirements. There is no separate homeschool statute.

Key Statute: 105 ILCS 5/26-1

Exempts children attending "a private or a parochial school where children are taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools."

The Levisen Decision (1950)

People v. Levisen established homeschools as private schools:

"The law is not made to punish those who provide their children with instruction equal or superior to that obtainable in the public schools."

The Court defined a private school as "a place where instruction is imparted to the young... the number of persons being taught does not determine whether a place is a school."

The Simple Truth

There is no mandatory process to start homeschooling in Illinois. You simply begin teaching your children the required subjects.

Steps to Start

1. Understand the Law — Ages 6-17 must receive instruction in required subjects, in English
2. Withdraw from Public School (if applicable) — Written notification
3. Begin Teaching — No notification, registration, or approval required

Optional: Voluntary Registration

ISBE offers voluntary registration. Many Illinois homeschool organizations advise against it due to historical issues with aggressive truancy enforcement using registration lists.

What Illinois Requires

Compulsory Attendance Ages

Ages 6 to 17 — Child who turns 6 by September 1 must be enrolled that fall.

Required Subjects ("Branches of Education")

1. Language Arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, literature)
2. Mathematics
3. Biological and Physical Sciences
4. Social Sciences (history, geography, civics, economics)
5. Fine Arts
6. Physical Development and Health

Access to Public School Courses

105 ILCS 5/10-20.24 allows homeschoolers to enroll in individual public school classes. Request must be made by May 1 of the previous school year.

Sports & Interscholastic Athletics

Current Status: Very limited access — requires enrollment.

IHSA requires students to:

• Be enrolled at the member high school
• Pass at least one course each semester
• Take 25 credit hours minimum (5 courses) at the school
• Receive credit toward graduation from the school

Alternatives: Homeschool sports leagues, club sports, YMCA/Park District programs, some districts have flexible policies.

No State Requirements

Illinois has no state graduation requirements for homeschoolers (private schools). Parents determine required courses, credits, grading standards, and diploma format.

Parent-Issued Diplomas Are Valid For

• FAFSA/financial aid
• Most colleges
• Employment purposes
• Equivalent to other private school diplomas

Creating Transcripts

Include: student name, school name, courses by year with grades, credit values, GPA, graduation date, parent signature.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Admits approximately 60-70 homeschooled students each year. Requires application (Common App), self-reported courses and grades, essays. NOT required: Letters of recommendation, GED.

Illinois State University

Homeschooled students follow same application process. Requires final transcript demonstrating college prep coursework.

Tips for Illinois Applicants

1. Create detailed transcripts with grades
2. Consider ACT/SAT to validate education
3. Take AP exams for college credit
4. Dual enroll at community college
5. Document extracurriculars

Illinois Education Expense Credit

Illinois offers a tax credit for K-12 educational expenses — one of the few states with such a benefit.

Qualifying Expenses

Eligible: Book rental fees, lab fees, tuition for instruction, curriculum rental fees, workbooks used up during instruction.

NOT Eligible: Purchased textbooks, general school supplies, computers, tutoring services.

How to Claim

Complete Schedule ICR with your IL-1040. Keep detailed receipts.

Truancy Enforcement

The Regional Superintendent of Schools investigates reports. Per Scoma v. Chicago (1974), burden of proof rests with parents to demonstrate compliance.

Special Education

Homeschooled students with disabilities can access testing and services through local public schools. Illinois law requires public schools to accept homeschool children with disabilities for part-time enrollment.

Driver's License

Requires proof of enrollment or graduation for applicants under 18. Homeschoolers: parent-signed statement of enrollment or homeschool diploma.

Illinois provides substantial homeschool freedom with the added benefit of a state tax credit.

Key Advantages:

1. No Notification Required — Simply start homeschooling
2. No Testing — No mandatory standardized tests
3. No Oversight — No state monitoring or reporting
4. Tax Credit Available — Up to $750 for educational expenses
5. Strong Legal Foundation — People v. Levisen (1950)

Unique: The combination of minimal regulation PLUS tax credit is unusual.

Comparison Table

*Texas requires notification only when withdrawing from public school