Prairie State Wire

Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the initiation of investigations into three educational entities in Illinois: the Illinois Department of Education, Chicago Public Schools District 299, and Deerfield Public Schools District 109. These investigations are prompted by allegations that these institutions violated Title IX by requiring female students to share locker rooms with a male student.

The complaints leading to these investigations were filed with OCR, including one from the Defense of Freedom Institute and Liberty Justice Center. The complaint alleges discrimination based on sex, particularly pointing to repeated violations by Deerfield School District.

"Congress enacted Title IX to end sex-based discrimination against females in educational programs," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. He emphasized that Title IX regulations have traditionally required separate facilities for males and females to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors. "The Department is deeply troubled by these allegations and will investigate this matter fully."

Robert Eitel, President and Co-Founder of the Defense of Freedom Institute, expressed concern over alleged harassment faced by students objecting to sharing facilities with members of the opposite sex. "We applaud the Department for launching an investigation and urge the agency to take action to terminate federal funding until the bad actors comply with Title IX," he said.

A parent testified at a recent District 109 School Board Meeting that female students at Shepard Middle School reported a male presence in their locker room during gym class. The following day, school officials allegedly reprimanded these students for refusing to change clothes in front of the male student and forced them back into the locker room throughout the week. According to a complaint filed with OCR, an administrator informed female students that any student identifying as female could use female facilities.

Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Violations can lead to loss of federal funding.

For further information or inquiries, contact the Press Office at press@ed.gov or (202) 401-1576.

Information from this article can be found here.