Question 1

Do I have to register with the state to homeschool in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

No. Illinois treats homeschools as private schools, and no registration, notice, or approval is required. The state offers a voluntary registration form you can submit if you like, but skipping it is completely legal. If you're withdrawing a child from public school, sending the school a dated withdrawal letter is a smart (though optional) step.

Question 2

Didn't Illinois pass a law requiring homeschool registration?

Accepted Answer

No. A 2025 bill called the Homeschool Act (HB 2827) would have required an annual notification form, but it stalled in the Illinois House in April 2025 and was never enacted. As of July 2026, nothing has replaced it — confirm the latest with ISBE or a homeschool association if you're reading this later.

Question 3

What subjects does Illinois require homeschoolers to teach?

Accepted Answer

The same branches of education taught in public schools, in English: language arts; mathematics; biological and physical sciences; social sciences; fine arts; and physical development and health. Illinois leaves curriculum choices, materials, and methods entirely up to you.

Question 4

How many hours a day does Illinois require for homeschooling?

Accepted Answer

There's no required number of hours or days. Illinois sets no time minimums for private schools, including homeschools. Courts have said the education should be at least equivalent to what public schools offer, but how you schedule it is your call.

Question 5

Does my homeschooled child have to take state tests in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

No. Illinois has no testing requirement for homeschooled students. If you choose to test your child privately to track progress, you don't have to share the results with any school official.

Question 6

Does Illinois have ESA money for homeschoolers?

Accepted Answer

No. As of July 2026, Illinois has no education savings account or voucher program at all. Its only private-school-choice program, the Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship, ended December 31, 2023 and was never usable for homeschooling anyway. ISBE says it knows of no state financial resources for homeschool expenses.

Your Illinois homeschool checklist.

Getting started

Through the year

Homeschooling in Illinois? We’ll handle the paperwork side.

Sources