(The Center Square) – Homeschool groups have concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tax credit as Illinois lawmakers look at regulating the practice.
Trump, in a video posted on social media, promised homeschooling parents tax relief on their education costs, up to $10,000 per year per child.
“I will do everything I can to support parents who make the courageous choice of homeschool,” said Trump. “I will also work to ensure that every homeschool family is entitled to full access to the benefits available to non-homeschool students … including participating in athletic programs, clubs, after-school activities, educational trips and more.”
Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith said rumblings of regulation coming out of the Illinois capitol might deter homeschooling parents from applying for the credit.
"Right now, Illinois is one of the most free states in the nation, liberally allowing us to homeschool as we wish,” said Smith. “As far as the tax credit, there are some really conservative homeschoolers who don’t even want to take that because they claim it will put them on the radar for the government. ‘If I take the tax credits, then they’ll know I am homeschooling. In case they do pass regulation, I don’t want to submit to that.’”
In 39 states and Washington, D.C., homeschooling parents are required to inform a government entity they are homeschooling. Illinois is not one of those states.
Illinois state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, chairs the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee in the Illinois House. She has called for action following an investigation that revealed some parents isolated and mistreated their children.
Smith said many Illinois homeschooling parents are treading carefully after Costa Howard called for the state to strengthen its laws to protect homeschooled children facing inadequate education, abuse and neglect.
"She’s made some waves about regulating homeschooling parents, and that was in response to a ProPublica article highlighting children involved in a horrible abusive situation,” said Smith. “Well, that’s not the norm of homeschooling parents.”
Smith called on the legislature to address the abuses that go on in public school before regulating homeschooling parents.
"Look at the abuse in the Chicago Public School system itself,” said Smith. “Sexual abuse going on by administrators with our students. Are you kidding me? Get your own house in order before you start saying homeschoolers need to be regulated. So there is a threat there hanging over our heads.”
