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Effingham County Board adopts resolution opposing HB 2827 after debate over truancy enforcement
Summary
The Effingham County Board voted 5-3 to adopt a resolution opposing state bill HB 2827, approving two amendments after extended discussion about enforcement gaps for children who leave public school and the limits of local authorities to compel education.
The Effingham County Board on a 5-3 vote adopted a local resolution opposing state bill HB 2827, titled “defending parental rights and education freedoms,” after amending the document to change the word “infringes on” to “violates” and to strike a paragraph that said existing truancy and child welfare laws provide mechanisms to address educational neglect.
The vote came at a regular meeting where board member Sandy Rich moved to adopt the resolution with the wording change and Chris Keller seconded. Board member Norbert Sawedle later successfully moved to also remove the whereas clause referencing truancy and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The board then adopted the resolution with those two changes by roll call, 5-3.
The matter drew extended discussion from the Regional Office of Education and county staff after Sawedle questioned whether the resolution incorrectly implies that DCFS and truant officers can always intervene when children stop attending public school. Julie Morel, truant officer for the Regional Office of Education No. 3, told the board that “Unfortunately, we have nothing. In the state of Illinois, if anyone says homeschooling, they just get a pass,” and described limits on the office’s authority to investigate homeschooling without clear statutory requirements. Morel said her office had eight homeschooling records in its database, three of which returned paperwork, and that staff had identified about 15 students this year who were withdrawn “to elude the law.” She said her truancy caseload included 97 students for the region, 53 of whom are in Effingham County.
Natalie Hall, who works on a county wraparound program, said many families who notify authorities that they are homeschooling are low-income and often cannot afford formal curricula; she told the board, “I have nothing against homeschooling,” but said many cases she sees are not being managed in a way that ensures students receive an education.
Board members who supported keeping the amended resolution said the county’s vote is a message to state legislators. One board member said the resolution is intended “to tell them what you have in place isn't enough” and to urge lawmakers to reconsider the bill’s details.
Skeptics on the board argued the resolution as drafted included an inaccurate claim about local enforcement, and Sawedle proposed striking the paragraph that said existing truancy and child welfare statutes address isolated incidents of educational neglect. After debate and two procedural amendments, the board approved the resolution as amended; the clerk recorded the final tally as five in favor and three opposed.
A public commenter who identified herself as part of the county’s homeschooling community thanked the board for the vote and said the decision would reassure local homeschool families. The resolution, as adopted, will be forwarded to the county’s legislative contacts and state representatives.
Sources: Board meeting discussion and roll-call votes; testimony from Julie Morel, Regional Office of Education No. 3; comments from Natalie Hall, RAP program.
