Illinois Government Overreach Targeted Homeschool Families—Parents Fought Back

In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Christie Black and Matt Black, Illinois homeschool parents who became grassroots leaders in the fight against a proposed state mandate that would have forced homeschooling families to register with the government—backed by fines and even jail time for parents who failed to comply. They explain why the proposal represented serious government overreach and how vague enforcement powers could have punished families over paperwork instead of protecting children.

Christie and Matt also describe how homeschool families across Illinois mobilized at an unprecedented scale, pushing back through testimony, witness slips, letters, and in-person advocacy at the state Capitol. Their story shows how ordinary parents, students, and communities can successfully stand up to government mandates and defend parental rights, educational freedom, and limited government.