Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Illinois - one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. No notification, no testing, no hours required, plus a $750 education tax credit. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Illinois is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. There is essentially one legal requirement: teach the branches of education taught in public schools, in the English language. That is it. No registration, no notification, no testing, no minimum hours, and no parent qualifications.
Illinois homeschool law is rooted in 105 ILCS §5/26-1 (the Compulsory Attendance Law) and the landmark case People v. Levisen (1950), which established that homeschools qualify as private schools. This means your homeschool is legally a private school in Illinois, with all the autonomy that implies.
The state also offers an Education Expense Credit worth up to $750 per family for qualifying curriculum and educational material expenses - one of the only states to provide direct financial support for homeschoolers.
Illinois requires no notification to any government agency to homeschool. You do not need to tell the school district, the state, or anyone else. Simply start teaching the required subjects in English. This is one of the simplest legal frameworks for homeschooling in the nation.
Illinois does not have a separate homeschool statute. Instead, homeschools operate as private schools under existing law. Two landmark court cases define the legal landscape.
| Case | Year | What It Established |
|---|---|---|
| People v. Levisen | 1950 | Homeschools qualify as private schools if they have a competent teacher, teach required subjects, and provide education equivalent to public schooling. |
| Scoma v. Chicago Board of Ed. | 1974 | Reinforced that homeschool parents must provide education equivalent to public school standards. |
Under 105 ILCS §5/26-1, a child is in compliance with compulsory attendance if they attend "a private or parochial school where children are taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools, and where the instruction of the child in the branches of education is in the English language."
| Requirement | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Notification to state | Not required |
| Registration | Not required |
| Standardized testing | Not required |
| Portfolio submission | Not required |
| Hours or days of instruction | Not required |
| Attendance records | Not required |
| Parent qualifications | Not required |
| Teaching credentials | Not required |
Because homeschools are legally private schools in Illinois, you have the same legal autonomy as any private school. You set your own curriculum, schedule, grading standards, and graduation requirements. You also issue your own diploma when your student completes their education.
Starting to homeschool in Illinois is straightforward. The steps depend on whether your child was previously enrolled in public school.
You do not need to do anything official. Simply start teaching the required subjects in English. No notification, registration, or filing is required.
While not legally required, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recommends sending a withdrawal letter to avoid truancy issues. Here is what to include:
Send the letter to your child's current school and, optionally, to your Regional Office of Education. Keep a dated copy for your records.
You may receive forms from your district such as a "Statement of Assurance," "Home School Registration Form," or "Non-Public School Registration Enrollment and Staff Report." You are not required to complete any of these. If contacted, you can return a simple Letter of Compliance stating that you teach the required subjects in English.
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Illinois does not require a minimum number of school days, instructional hours, or any specific schedule. You set your own calendar and teach at whatever pace works for your family.
There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can school year-round, take breaks whenever you want, or adjust your schedule as needed.
Even though Illinois does not require attendance tracking, keeping a simple log of instructional days is a smart practice. It provides documentation if you are ever contacted by a truancy officer, and it helps demonstrate consistent instruction. Most experienced Illinois homeschool families log between 170-180 days of instruction per year.
If contacted by authorities, you only need to demonstrate that you are providing instruction in the required subjects in English. An attendance log, while not required, helps support your case.
Illinois does not legally require any specific recordkeeping for homeschool families. However, maintaining records is strongly recommended for several practical reasons.
Use Blue Folder to track your subjects, upload work samples, and log attendance. Even in a low-regulation state like Illinois, having organized records makes your homeschool run more smoothly and protects you if questions ever arise. Try it free →
Only the Regional Superintendent of Education and truant officers have authority to investigate homeschools. School principals, district administrators, and DCFS do not have this authority. If contacted, you only need to confirm two things:
A simple Letter of Compliance is sufficient. You do not need to provide curriculum details, test scores, work samples, or any other records.
Illinois does not require any annual evaluation, testing, or assessment for homeschooled students. There is no standardized test requirement, no portfolio review, and no progress report to submit to any authority.
This is one of the key benefits of homeschooling in Illinois. You assess your child's progress on your own terms, using whatever methods work best for your family.
While not required, some Illinois families choose to administer standardized tests periodically. This can be helpful for identifying learning gaps, preparing for college entrance exams, or simply tracking progress. Popular options include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, or CAT.
For high school students planning to attend college, keep in mind that most colleges will want:
Most Illinois colleges accept homeschool transcripts. Contact specific schools for their admissions requirements.
Under 105 ILCS §5/27-22, Illinois requires instruction in the "branches of education" taught in public schools. This translates to six broad subject areas.
All instruction must be provided in the English language. ASL (American Sign Language) counts as English. You can teach additional subjects in other languages, but the core subjects must be in English.
The law requires general subject areas, not specific courses. You do not need to teach "Algebra 2" or "Chemistry" specifically - just cover age-appropriate math and science concepts. You have complete freedom to choose your curriculum, materials, and teaching methods within these broad categories.
Illinois has very few formal deadlines for homeschoolers. Here is what you need to know.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Anytime | Begin homeschooling | No specific start date required. No notification needed. Simply begin teaching required subjects in English. |
| When withdrawing | Send withdrawal letter (recommended) | Not legally required, but recommended to prevent truancy issues. Send to current school and Regional Office of Education. |
| May 1 (prior year) | Public school course access request | If your child wants to take individual classes at a public school, the request must be submitted by May 1 of the previous school year. |
| Tax season (April) | Education Expense Credit | File Schedule ICR with your Illinois tax return to claim the education expense credit (up to $750). |
HB 2827 (the Homeschool Act), introduced in February 2025, would require annual notification, documentation, and assessment starting in the 2026-2027 school year if passed. This bill has NOT been enacted. Current law remains in effect. Monitor the bill status at ilga.gov.
Illinois is one of the few states that offers a direct tax credit for homeschool educational expenses.
Homeschool families can claim 25% of qualifying educational expenses over $250, up to a maximum credit of $750 per family (regardless of the number of children). To reach the maximum credit, you must spend at least $3,250 on qualifying expenses.
File Schedule ICR with your Illinois state tax return. Keep detailed receipts showing the item purchased, amount, date, and vendor. The credit is nonrefundable - it reduces your tax owed but does not generate a refund beyond that. Blue Folder can help you track qualifying expenses throughout the year. Try it free →
Illinois offers limited public school access for homeschooled students compared to some other states.
Homeschooled students can take individual classes at their local public school. However, there are conditions:
No. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) bylaws require students to be enrolled in and attending the school where they participate. This effectively blocks homeschooled students from public school interscholastic athletics.
Homeschooled students with disabilities can access testing through local public schools and some limited services. Contact your local district for specific availability.
Parents issue the diploma. Each homeschool (as a private school) sets its own graduation requirements. Illinois does not have state-mandated graduation requirements for private schools.
Parents create their own transcripts for college applications. Include courses completed, grades, credits, and GPA. Most Illinois colleges accept parent-created homeschool transcripts alongside SAT/ACT scores and letters of recommendation.
Illinois has minimal requirements, but new homeschool families still encounter some common pitfalls.
If a truancy officer or Regional Superintendent contacts you, do not panic. Only the Regional Superintendent has authority to investigate, and they must have evidence of non-compliance. A Letter of Compliance confirming you teach the required subjects in English is all you need to provide. School principals and DCFS do not have authority to investigate homeschools.
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Track Illinois ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your Regional Office of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see 105 ILCS §5/26-1. Last updated February 2026.