Opponents say the bill would mark the first time a state has gone backward on homeschooling freedom. Thousands of homeschooling families are fighting a Democratic-led bill in Illinois that would allow criminal charges to be filed against parents who don’t comply with new paperwork rules.

A new Illinois bill aims to add some oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state does little to ensure these students receive an education and are protected from harm.