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ILLINOIS

New intimidation tactics in 2004

Last year Bruce Dennison, regional superintendent of Stark, Henry, and Bureau counties, caused much concern by his aggressive harassment of homeschoolers. He demanded home visits and curriculum reviews, and sent truant officers and police cars to deliver notices for pretrial hearings to homeschoolers' doors. After pointing out that such enforcement measures were illegal and a violation of families' civil rights, Home School Legal Defense Association Senior Counsel Christopher Klicka was able to persuade Dennison to abandon such tactics.

Unfortunately, the regional superintendent has begun using a new method of intimidation. He sends homeschooling parents a letter stating that it is his responsibility to verify that the family is in compliance with state law and requesting that they complete the enclosed Statement of Assurance form. (This is an optional form that homeschoolers may fill out if they wish, but it is not required by law.)

Two HSLDA member families—one in Henry County and another in Stark County—recently found out what happens to those who choose not to fill out the Statement of Assurance. They were promptly turned over to the county state's attorney's office for "failure to comply" with Dennison's demands.

HSLDA has been able to intervene in each of these situations to prevent prosecution. We have informed Dennison of our objections to this harassment, and we will continue to protect homeschoolers from heavy-handed tactics such as these.

— by Christopher J. Klicka