BUZZ
Dispute was over Moody Bible Institute’s right to hire staff based on ‘biblical values’
Chicago Public Schools just started allowing student teachers from Moody Bible Institute to work in its schools as part of a settlement announced this week regarding the Christian college’s religious discrimination lawsuit.
The settlement includes approving Moody Bible Institute as a partner in the public school’s student teaching program and agreeing to respect its religious hiring practices, according to a news release from Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the institute.
“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,” Moody Provost Tim Sisk stated in the news release.
The lawsuit centered around the college’s elementary education degree program, which Illinois approved in 2024, The College Fix previously reported.
The college is based in Chicago. However, Chicago Public Schools refused to allow the Christian institution to participate in its student teaching program, citing Moody’s policy of hiring only employees who aligned with its faith values, according to the case.
The lawsuit alleged the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools wanted Moody to comply with its non-discrimination policies, which include prohibiting employment discrimination based on “religion,” “gender identity/expression,” and “sexual orientation.”
Initially, when the college asked the school district for an exception to the policy, Chicago Public Schools refused, the lawsuit alleged.
The settlement, announced Wednesday, includes the school district agreeing to modify “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,” according to the news release.
ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus said he hopes the lawsuit will serve as an example to other public officials that “they can’t inject themselves illegally and unconstitutionally into a religious non-profit’s hiring practices.”
“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,” Galus stated in a news release. “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.”
Notably, the school district also faced pressure from a U.S. Congressional leader over its exclusion of the Christian college.
In December, U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, a Republican who chairs the House Education Committee, sent a letter questioning Chicago Public Schools about the matter, The Fix reported previously.
The Michigan congressman described the allegations as “deeply troubling” in a statement at the time.
“If true, that clearly violates the Constitution. Faith-based institutions shouldn’t be pressured by government entities to violate their religious beliefs. Period,” Walberg told The Fix.
MORE: Chicago schools refuse to hire Christian college student teachers despite lawsuit
