Midwest
Illinois homeschool bill would create a 'pipeline to the criminal justice system for parents': Dem lawmaker
An Illinois bill that could drastically change homeschooling rules in the state would create “a pipeline to the criminal justice system for parents,” a state Democratic lawmaker warned Thursday.
Rep. La Shawn Ford, who represents a district that includes parts of Chicago, made the remark as parents, students and opponents of HB 2827, the Homeschool Act, rallied in the city’s downtown.
The bill, which is advancing through the Illinois state legislature, would charge parents with a misdemeanor if they fail to register their kids in a “homeschool declaration form” to the nearest public school they would otherwise be attending. It also requires documentation of immunizations and health examinations for children who wish to participate in public school activities.
“I support the representative that is sponsoring the bill, and I hope that we can work with her to have this bill become something that you can support. But right now, I don’t believe the bill is exactly what’s needed in Illinois,” Ford said. “I believe in restorative justice. I believe in making sure that people don’t have a pathway to the criminal justice system. And this bill is a pipeline to the criminal justice system for parents. And I can’t stand for that. How can we criminalize parents for wanting to love their children?”
ILLINOIS PARENTS, LAWMAKERS SOUND ALARM OVER PROPOSED HOMESCHOOLING BILL
Opponents of HB2827 rally in downtown Chicago on Thursday, April 3. (Fox News)
“And finally, we’ve seen, since the pandemic, the growth in home schooling. It has increased across all demographics, but specifically in the Black community, from 3.3% to almost 17% of Black people use homeschooling in this state,” he added.
Bobby Sylvester, the vice president of the Urban Center nonprofit, said Thursday that “This bill would require private schools to hand over the individual contact information, including names, phone numbers and addresses, to the state of Illinois.
“That is government overreach,” he said.
Democrats say the bill – which contains a portion that requires parents to hand over teaching materials if it’s suspected the child isn’t being educated properly – will strengthen oversight of homeschooling.
Democratic state Rep. Terra Costa Howard introduced the bill following an investigative story by ProPublica, which has a left-leaning bias, according to the nonpartisan news rating company AllSides, entitled, “How Illinois’ Hands-Off Approach to Homeschooling Leaves Children at Risk.” The report included cases of abuse that went unnoticed because children were not in school.
SCHOOL CHOICE ACTIVISTS WARN PARENTS ABOUT ILLINOIS’ HOMESCHOOL BILL WITH JAIL-TIME PROVISION
Rep. La Shawn Ford, an Illinois state Democrat, said “this bill is a pipeline to the criminal justice system for parents.” (Fox News)
However, opponents of the bill argue there’s no correlation between homeschooled students being more at risk of abuse than those in the public school system.
“Many families need to make sometimes untimely decisions to pull their children out of a public school setting for their own safety, and a more effective learning environment,” Chantal Moore, a homeschooling mother, said at the rally Thursday.
Moore said her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but that he has thrived in a homeschooling environment.
“Keeping our children safe is not acquired by a form, but by standing as a community together,” she added.
A March 19 protest against House Bill 2827, known as the Homeschool Act, at the Illinois state capitol. (Fox News)
Aziza Butler, a self-described homeschooling mother of six and former Chicago Public Schools teacher, said, “Not only will this bill divert precious resources, time and energy away from the critical needs of public schools who are already in peril, but it threatens an education revolution that so many minorities are benefiting from.”
Fox News’ Jamie Joseph and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Activities are planned throughout metro Detroit this week to celebrate the federal holiday known as Juneteenth, which marks Black Americans’ freedom from slavery.
On June 19, 1865, institutionalized slavery ended in Texas, the last state where it remained two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The date officially became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, credited largely to the activist Opal Lee, known as the grandmother of Juneteenth.
Here is a sampling of events planned to mark the event this week:
∎ Wednesday, June 17
Juneteenth jazz & blues concert: An evening of jazz and blues in honor of the celebration of Juneteenth. Hosted by the Friends of the Southfield Public Library, in the library meeting room, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield. More information here.
∎ Thursday, June 18
Juneteenth Family Paint Party: Children ages 5+ and their caregivers can join artist Candace Dove in the family-friendly activity of creating Juneteenth paintings at the Detroit Public Library Bowen branch. All supplies will be provided, and registration is required. Runs from 6-7 p.m. Event is at 3648 Vernor Highway, Detroit. More information here.
∎ Friday, June 19
“Juneteenth at Wilson: The stories of us,” sponsored by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, will celebrate “the complexity of the American story” with music, dance, art and interactive activities on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, family-friendly event takes place at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park at 1801 W. Jefferson in Detroit. The event, presented by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, has a storytelling theme that encourages attendees to share stories that celebrate the freedom Juneteenth represents. More info here.
Juneteenth Forever Detroit parade and celebration, 9 am-1 p.m. June 19, starting at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit. End point is at the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Boulevard, Detroit. Admission is free. More info here.
Juneteenth at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: The museum celebrates freedom of enslaved African Americans through commemorative ceremonies, silent disco yoga, cultural performances, educational workshops, and film.10 am- 5 p.m. June 19. Free, Wright Museum, 315 East Warren Avenue, Detroit. More information here.
Hart Plaza Juneteenth Block Party: This daylong block party is all-ages and family-friendly, consisting of art displays, activities, food, musical performances, and creative vendors. Runs noon-5 p.m.; ticketed concerts including Fetty Wap and Kash Doll start after 5 p.m., Hart Plaza. More info here.
Ypsilanti’s annual Juneteenth celebration: Ypsilanti hosts its annual Juneteenth Celebration over three days in the downtown area, June 19-21. Event includes community organizations, live performances, local vendors, and a kids’ corner. Times vary. More info here.
∎ Saturday, June 20
Freedom Festival at Rouge Park: Free festival fun with food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, face painting, and haircuts, along with live performances such as African drumming, dancing, music, storytelling, poetry, and more. 12-4 p.m. June 20. Free. Rouge Park (Joy & Spinoza Green space). More information here.
athomas@detroitnews.com
Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee jewelry artist brings handmade soccer-inspired earrings to city’s World Cup block party
SOUTH MILWUAKEE — South Milwaukee artist Briana Hibbs is celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a pari of earrings she made herself — and she will be selling them in person at the city’s second World Cup block party Friday afternoon outside Moran’s on Milwaukee St. in South Milwaukee.
“This has got me pumped and excited and to learn more about the World Cup. So we have some official 2026 balls that I made for earrings so you can celebrate and honor this year’s World Cup,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Briana gave up the corporate world a few years ago to focus on her passion for making jewelry. Her business grew out of a Friendsgiving gathering where she wore her first handmade pair to test the reaction.
Watch: South Milwaukee artist makes soccer-inspired earrings:
Celebrating the World Cup with jewelry
“I wore my first pair of earrings that I made to see if my friends liked them. And I was like, well, I’ll just wear these, see if anybody says anything or wants a pair. And then my friends were like, ‘Wait, you made those? Can I have a pair?’ So it kind of started out like that, and then people kept seeing them and then asking where to get their own pair, and it kind of just blew up from there,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Made by the Lake has since grown into more than a business — it has become a community. Briana runs a Facebook group by the same name where customers share photos of themselves wearing her earrings, which fans have nicknamed “ear-fees.”
“People share their selfies, which people call them their ear-fees, you know, so you share your ears, what earrings you’re wearing, and then people also recognize each other that way too, which is really fun that they share the stories with me that they go to like the doctor’s office for instance, and their nurse is wearing my earrings and they’re like Made by the Lake, and they’re like, yeah, Made by the Lake. So it’s like we’re like a little community too, which is fun,” Briana said.
Briana Hibbs
Briana, who was born and raised in South Milwaukee and still lives there with her husband — her middle school sweetheart — said she is looking forward to setting up as a vendor at the block party.
“The block party is awesome. Any excuse to get out and be outside and celebrating with the community, which is really fun.” Briana said.
Her jewelry is available through her Facebook group and Instagram. She will also be on-site as a vendor Friday afternoon during Moran’s Pub second World Cup Block Party, you can learn more by clicking here
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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