The state says. •Illinois sets no number of school days.•It sets no length for a school day.•The state school board says so in its homeschool guide.•Courts say the education must be equal to public school standards.

You do. •Pick your own days and hours.•A steady daily plan helps if your child may go back to public school.

The state says. •Illinois has one route.•A home school counts as a private school.•The Illinois Supreme Court said so in 1950.•The case is called People v. Levisen.•The teacher must be competent, which means able to teach.•The required subjects must be taught.•The education must be at least equal to public school.

You do. •Set up your homeschool as a private school.1.Teach the six required subject areas.2.Teach them in English.3.Teach at a level at least equal to public school.

The state says. •School age in Illinois starts at 6.•It counts if your child is 6 on or before September 1.•It lasts until your child turns 17.•It ends sooner if your child graduates from high school.

You do. •Is your child 6 on or before September 1?•Then your homeschool must be running that school year.•Keep teaching until your child turns 17 or graduates.

The state says. •You do not have to register before you start.•The state school board says it no longer collects homeschool forms.•Your Regional Office of Education may have a form you can choose to send.•That is the regional school office that serves your county.•Chicago Public Schools has a form like it for Chicago families.•These forms are a choice, not a must.

You do. •Is your child in a school now?1.Tell that school you are taking your child out to homeschool.•Writing is best.2.Sign the school's withdrawal form, if it has one.3.Keep a copy.•This keeps your child from being marked truant.•Never went to school? You can just begin.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The school law asks for the subjects, taught in English.•It says nothing about a teacher's license or degree.•The 1950 court case adds one thing.•The teacher must be competent, which means able to teach.•The teacher can be the parent or a private tutor.

You do. •Teach the subjects yourself, or use a tutor.•You don't need to get a license first.

The state says. •Illinois asks for six subject areas.•Language arts.•Math.•Biological and physical science.•Social science, also called social studies.•Fine arts.•Physical development and health.•Teach them in English.•No set classes are required inside them.

You do. •Plan all six areas each year.•Pick your own classes in each one.•Is your child headed to college?•The state board suggests using the public high school graduation list as a guide.

The state says. •Illinois does not require a test.•If you choose to test, you do not have to send the scores to anyone.•Homeschool students may not take the state tests used in public schools.

You do. •You decide if and when to test.•Keep any scores with your records.•Your child may join a public school later.•If so, the school may test your child or ask for proof.

The state says. •Illinois homeschool rules ask only that certain subjects be taught.•Those rules say nothing about shots.•The school shot law names public, private and parochial schools.•The state school board says a homeschooled child who takes classes or programs at a school must follow it.

You do. •There is nothing to file about shots to homeschool.•Keep the shot record at home.•Your child may take a class at a school later.•If so, bring the shot record or an exemption.•The religious exemption is a state form.•Your child's health care provider must sign it too.•The medical exemption goes on your child's health exam form.•The doctor, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant who does the exam marks it and signs it.