Chicago City Wire

The Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies (DFI) and the Liberty Justice Center (LJC) have filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The complaint alleges that ISBE and CPS are violating Title IX by requiring students to share bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations based on self-declared gender identity.

The complaint argues that ISBE and CPS enforce a state law conflicting with Title IX by making students share intimate spaces as a condition for accessing school programs. It suggests that students uncomfortable with this arrangement should be given alternative options, such as using an all-gender or secure-access restroom. The policies are said to prioritize gender ideology over biological sex, which is claimed to violate Title IX.

The complaint also points out ISBE's efforts to limit parental involvement in these matters. Sample procedures provided by ISBE allow students to participate in overnight trips according to their gender identity without notifying parents or chaperones about housing arrangements for transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming students.

Despite federal court rulings against redefining Title IX unlawfully, ISBE and CPS continue enforcing policies allegedly conflicting with the law. DFI and LJC urge the Office for Civil Rights to investigate these entities and ensure compliance with Title IX under threat of losing federal funding.

"Congress intended Title IX to ensure that schools provide equal educational opportunities without regard to sex," said DFI President Bob Eitel. "ISBE and CPS are pushing radical policies that prioritize ideology over student safety and privacy." He called on the Department of Education to investigate the matter.

Jacob Huebert, President of LJC, said: "The Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools are violating parents’ right to raise their children by hiding important information about their children’s activities at school." He emphasized that they are also violating federal law by forcing women and girls to share facilities with the opposite sex.

To read the full complaint, visit here.

Information from this article can be found here.