Former Illinois State Rep. Jeanne Ives said May 5 that “every public school in IL should be investigated” after the Department of Justice announced civil rights investigations involving Illinois school districts.
“The truth is the trans agenda is supported in nearly every school in IL because Pritzker and his Dems have passed laws on LGBTQ mandated curriculum, comprehensive sex ed which includes teaching LGBTQ issues, and official guidance says school districts need to support LGBTQ, even behind parents’ backs. So every public school in IL should be investigated,” Ives said in a post on X.
The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division announced April 30 that it opened investigations into Illinois school districts involving pre-K through 12th-grade instruction, parental opt-out rights, single-sex facilities, and sports participation policies, according to the Department of Justice.
Illinois enacted House Bill 246 in 2019, requiring public schools to include the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals’ roles in history instruction by eighth grade for promotion. The law took effect July 1, 2020, according to the Illinois General Assembly.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 818 in 2021, updating personal health and safety education standards for K-12 schools. The law requires school districts that provide comprehensive personal health and safety education to use standards that include instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity when sexual health topics are covered, according to the Office of the Governor.
Ives served three terms representing Illinois’ 42nd District after graduating from West Point and serving as an Army officer. She has remained active in public policy commentary since leaving office, according to Ballotpedia.
