Moody Bible Institute of Chicago has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city Board of Education for barring its students from student teaching opportunities.
“As a condition of participation, Chicago Public Schools insists that Moody sign agreements with employment nondiscrimination provisions that forbid Moody from employing only those who share and live out its faith,” according to the action filed Nov. 4 by Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian law group behind several high-profile religious liberty cases.
The litigation cites Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer and other Supreme Court rulings prohibiting the denial of public benefits due to religious belief or exercise.
“By excluding Moody and its students for Moody’s faith-based employment practices, the Board violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” the suits contends.
The suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois notes Moody’s elementary education degree program is accredited with the Association of Christian Schools and was approved by the state of Illinois in 2024. “State approval further demonstrates that Moody’s elementary education program meets rigorous professional and regulatory standards, strengthening Moody’s reputation and ability to attract students.”
Chicago Public Schools has insisted the college sign agreements violating its policy of exclusively accepting students who share its religious views.
But Chicago Public Schools has insisted the college sign agreements violating its policy of exclusively accepting students who share its religious views and who comply with its Christian conduct standards, the suit claims.
The school district’s “Non-Discrimination Statement” explains its strict adherence to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other federal laws prohibiting discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, gender and gender identity, physical disability and religion, among others.
“As a religious organization, Moody has a legally protected right to employ persons who share its religious beliefs and agree to comply with its religiously based standards of conduct,” Moody argues in the lawsuit.
A CPS spokeswoman said the district will not comment on pending litigation but “remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students,” the Chicago Tribune reported.
However, the lawsuit claims the district has signed agreements with Trinity Christian College and Concordia University despite those schools giving employment preference based on religion.
The suit also claims the district’s stance has harmed Moody’s reputation as well as its elementary education students’ job prospects after graduation. The institute seeks injunctive and declaratory relief.
“Defendant’s actions, policy and practice have also put Moody to an impossible and unconstitutional choice: (a) adhere to its religious beliefs and faith-based employment practices and be excluded from Chicago Public Schools’ Pre-Service Teaching Program; or (b) abandon its religious beliefs and faith-based employment practices and alter its religious identity, mission and message.”
Meanwhile, the suit also chastises Chicago schools for contributing to its own teacher shortage in part by blocking Moody students from participation in its student-teaching program.
Moody Bible Institute of Chicago is itself the target of a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by Janay Garrick, a teacher fired in part for disputing the institution’s belief that Scripture requires women to submit to men.
Moody is a private evangelical Bible college founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886.