Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has agreed to accept Moody Bible Institute students in its student-teacher internship program after the private Christian college filed suit against the district for unconstitutionally blocking the college’s religious hiring practices, a March 12 press release announced.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represented the Chicago-based college, reached a favorable settlement with the Chicago Board of Education four months after the initial suit. The Nov. 4, 2025, suit was filed after CPS barred the institute from participating in its student-teaching program.
Although the Illinois State Board of Education approved the college’s Elementary Education degree program, the district stated that in order to partake in the program, the college must sign two similar policies affirming that the college will not refuse employment to an individual based on religion, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
Moody Bible Institute only hires those who agree with Moody’s Doctrinal and Positional Statements. For example, an employee must agree with core Biblical doctrines such as the Trinity, the infallibility of the Bible, Jesus’ divinity, the virgin birth, the Gospel and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Those who are employed must also be part of a local church and abstain from sex outside of marriage and not condone or affirm transgenderism or homosexuality.
Moody requested religious accommodation from the policies, but the district refused. ADF argued that the school board’s policy violated their religious and constitutional rights.
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the government cannot exclude religious observers from otherwise available public benefits based on their religious character or exercise,” the suit states. “… 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.”
As part of the settlement, the CPS amended its Student Teacher Internship Agreement to include students from Moody, ADF’s press release announced.
Moody Provost Dr. Tim Sisk thanked ADF and those who prayed for the college during the suit.
“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 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.”
ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus celebrated the significance of the legal victory for Moody and Chicago public schools.
“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 the press 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. 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.”
