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Homeschooling in Illinois: what the law requires and who pays

The state board says homeschooling is a form of private education in Illinois. One state program pays toward a homeschooled student’s costs here, by its official source: Illinois Education Expense Credit.

Quoted from official sources, read October 8, 2026. A law summary, not legal advice.

What Illinois’s law requires

The law that allows it

The state board says homeschooling is a form of private education in Illinois.

“As a result, home schooling is considered to be a form of private education in the State of Illinois.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

This rests on a 1950 Illinois Supreme Court decision, People v. Levisen.

“In a 1950 decision of the Illinois Supreme Court, People v. Levisen , the Court held that home-schooling could be considered private schooling” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

Homeschooling parents must meet the compulsory attendance law, Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code.

“Parents or guardians who choose to educate their children at home are under a legal obligation to meet the minimum requirements stated in Illinois' Compulsory Attendance Law (Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code).” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

Telling the state or district

No registration is required before homeschooling.

“The state of Illinois does not require parents to register before they begin home schooling.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

The state board recommends telling the child's current school, preferably in writing, that the child is leaving to homeschool.

“The agency recommends that you notify your child’s current school, preferably in writing, that you are withdrawing them to homeschool or enroll in an online school.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (printable document)

The state board no longer collects homeschool forms. A Regional Office of Education may offer a voluntary form.

“ISBE no longer collects homeschool forms.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (printable document)

What and how long to teach

Instruction must be in English and cover the required subject areas under 105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 27-1: language arts, math, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and physical development and health.

“Per 105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 27-1, you must provide instruction, in the English language, in the following subject areas” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (printable document)

The education must be at least equivalent to what public schools offer.

“You must offer education that is at least equivalent to that which is offered in public schools.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

There is no required number or length of school days.

“There are no requirements for the number of school days or the length of a school day for homeschool students.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (printable document)

Testing or evaluation

Standardized tests are not required, and any test results do not have to be sent to a school or state agency.

“If you choose to administer tests to assess academic progress you are not required to submit the results to any school official or state agency.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (web page)

Records to keep

There are no specific recordkeeping rules, but the state board strongly encourages good records.

“Although there are no specific recordkeeping requirements, you are strongly encouraged to keep good records of your homeschool program.” Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling (printable document)

The state’s own page for families: Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling.

State money for homeschoolers in Illinois

Illinois Education Expense Credit

Parents of a student taught in a home school that meets Section 26-1 of the School Code can claim the state Education Expense Credit. (Illinois Department of Revenue, Publication 112, Education Expense Credit (R-04/24))

For home schools, qualifying costs include workbooks and teacher's grade books that are used up during the class. (Illinois Department of Revenue, Publication 112, Education Expense Credit (R-04/24))

The credit is 25% of qualified expenses after the first $250. (Illinois Department of Revenue, Publication 112, Education Expense Credit (R-04/24))

School choice in Illinois Private schools in Illinois

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Illinois next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Illinois?

No registration is required before homeschooling. The state board recommends telling the child's current school, preferably in writing, that the child is leaving to homeschool. The state board no longer collects homeschool forms. A Regional Office of Education may offer a voluntary form.

Do homeschoolers in Illinois have to take tests?

Standardized tests are not required, and any test results do not have to be sent to a school or state agency.

Can a homeschooler in Illinois get state money?

Illinois Education Expense Credit: Parents of a student taught in a home school that meets Section 26-1 of the School Code can claim the state Education Expense Credit. For home schools, qualifying costs include workbooks and teacher's grade books that are used up during the class. The credit is 25% of qualified expenses after the first $250.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

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