State Representative Tim Ozinga (R – Mokena) introduced a resolution to encourage state policy to honor the traditional autonomy of non-public schools in Illinois when making decisions for those schools.
“Illinois has always had a long history of allowing parochial, Montessori, and other private schools to dictate their policies,” Rep. Ozinga said.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) removed recognition status from 15 non-public schools following non-compliance to the Governor’s school mask mandate.
“The existing state policy of supporting our non-public schools and promoting our voluntary process of recognition is paramount to the education of our children. We should not ruin this relationship no matter how noble policymakers believe their goals to be,” Rep. Ozinga continued.
Rep. Ozinga filed the resolution, HR 471, on September 28, 2021, after consultation with many parents and private school officials who have become increasingly frustrated with the Governor and proposed legislation seeking to supersede their traditional autonomy to function.