DOJ Probes 36 Illinois School Districts Over Sexual Orientation Content In Pre-K–12 Classes

The Department of Justice is investigating 36 Illinois school districts regarding their teaching of sexual orientation and gender ideology in pre-K-12 classes. The investigations examine parental notification, access to single-sex spaces, and adherence to Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. The DOJ is also considering parental rights as established in Supreme Court precedents like *Mirabelli v. Bonta* and *Mahmoud v. Taylor*. This is to ensure schools are not violating parents’ rights to direct their children's education and values. The investigation is a response to concerns about the ideological content in classrooms and lack of parental transparency. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is pursuing this to safeguard parents' rights regarding their children's upbringing. Similar investigations and actions have been taken by other federal agencies, such as the Department of Education in Kansas. These efforts are part of a broader push to address how schools handle topics related to gender and sexuality. The Department of Health and Human Services previously sought to remove gender identity references from teaching, leading to a legal challenge by multiple states. This push is justified by an Executive Order focused on preventing radical indoctrination in schools.