Moody settles lawsuit against Chicago schools' student-teaching program

Moody Bible Institute settled a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education Thursday. The settlement was a favorable outcome for the Christian college based in Chicago, according to Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented Moody.

The college first sued the board in November over its student-teaching program rules. Chicago Public Schools barred Moody students from participating in the district program because of Moody’s policy to hire employees who share its religious beliefs. Under the settlement, Chicago Public Schools modified its student-teaching program rules to allow Moody to participate without changing its hiring policies. Moody students are now eager and well prepared to participate in Chicago’s student-teaching program, the college’s provost, Tim Sisk, said in a statement.

Why did Chicago Public Schools exclude Moody students? The school system previously required Moody to sign agreements that prohibited the college from hiring individuals who discriminate based on so-called gender identity or sexual orientation. In its lawsuit, Moody argued that these agreements prevented it from hiring individuals who held the college’s Biblical views on sexuality and marriage. The college said it had a constitutionally protected right to hire like-minded individuals. When Moody asked for a religious accommodation to the requirements, it said Chicago Public Schools denied it.

Following the settlement, Moody filed a stipulated dismissal of the case.

WORLD reached out to Chicago Public Schools and will update this story with any response received.

Dig deeper: Read my report for Liberties on the details of the lawsuit.