CHICAGO – Four months after filing a religious discrimination lawsuit on behalf of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys reached a favorable settlement with the Chicago Board of Education.
Chicago Public Schools had prevented Moody, a private Christian college, from participating in its student-teaching program unless it gave up its right to hire only like-minded individuals who share and live out its religious beliefs and mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. As part of the settlement, CPS modified its Student Teacher Internship Agreement to recognize Moody’s right to hire in this way, allowing Moody to sign the agreement and participate in the student-teaching program. CPS has now listed Moody as an approved university partner on its website.
“Chicago desperately needs more teachers to fill hundreds of vacancies, and Moody’s students will be well-equipped and qualified to help meet that need,” said ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus. “Moody holds its faculty and students to high standards of excellence, and we’re pleased to reach this favorable outcome that will allow it to participate in Chicago Public Schools’ student-teaching program. We’re hopeful other public officials will take note that they can’t inject themselves illegally and unconstitutionally into a religious non-profit’s hiring practices.”
“We are deeply grateful that a resolution has been reached affirming our constitutional right to hire individuals who are aligned with our core mission and biblical values,” said Moody Provost Dr. Tim Sisk. “Moody’s Elementary Education students are eager and well prepared to participate in the CPS student teaching program, which is an essential and formative part of their journey toward becoming effective educators. We sincerely appreciate ADF for their thoughtful counsel and dedicated efforts, and we are thankful for the many prayers and support that have helped ensure this important opportunity remains available to our students.”
Founded in 1886 by evangelist and pastor Dwight L. Moody, The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago offers a variety of biblically based, undergraduate- and graduate-level degrees to more than 2,300 students across its four schools. Moody hires faculty and staff who are ambassadors for its mission of spreading the gospel and preparing students through biblical, practical, and relevant training. As a Christian school, Moody expects all employees to share and live out its biblical beliefs and values.
In January 2024, the Illinois State Board of Education approved Moody’s Elementary Education degree program. But Chicago Public Schools refused to allow Moody’s participation in its student-teaching program, citing its policy that colleges and universities participating in the program cannot “discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of . . . religion, . . . gender identity/expression, [or] sexual orientation.” When Moody sought a potential amendment to the policy recognizing its rights as a religious institution, Chicago Public Schools continued to refuse to accommodate Moody’s religious rights.
In light of the settlement, ADF attorneys filed a stipulated dismissal of the case, The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago. John Mauck and Whitman Brisky, two of more than 5,000 attorneys in the ADF Attorney Network, served as local counsel for the college.
- Pronunciation guide: Galus (GAL’-us)
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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Jeremiah Galus
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