Moody Bible wins religious liberty case after Chicago Public Schools settles 

Chicago Public Schools has agreed to settle a religious freedom lawsuit after it unlawfully barred Moody Bible Institute students from completing necessary student teaching hours because of the school’s religious hiring practice.

“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 Dr. Tim Sisk said in a statement. “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.”

Alliance Defending Freedom represented Moody in a lawsuit filed in November after CPS refused to accept Moody students into its Student Teacher Internship program because of Moody’s hiring policy, which requires staff to affirm its Christian beliefs. Student teaching hours and classroom observation are required under Chicago law to attain a Professional Educator License.

“It was a little disappointing that we even had to file this lawsuit, because we think the Supreme Court has been abundantly clear as to what government officials can and cannot do when it comes to government benefit programs and allowing religious institutions to participate,” ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus told The Lion in an interview.

Under the settlement, CPS recognized Moody’s right to hire according to its statement of faith and listed Moody as an approved university partner on its website – demonstrating that Moody students are qualified to participate in the Student Teacher Internship program, Galus explained. CPS also covered $100,000 in attorney fees. 

“We view the settlement agreement as an acknowledgement that what Chicago did was wrong, and they recognize it is wrong,” Galus said. “Religious organizations have a First Amendment right to hire and associate with those who share their religious beliefs.”

Moody Bible Institute, founded in 1886, seeks to “equip people to be biblically grounded, practically trained, and to engage the world through gospel-centered living,” according to its mission statement. The school offers various “biblically based undergraduate and graduate level degrees to more than 2,300 students across its four schools,” according to an ADF press release.

In step with its mission, the school clearly states its Christian beliefs and promises to hire faculty and staff who agree with those principles.

Moody’s elementary education degree, which is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International, certifies graduates to teach in Christian schools worldwide, The Lion previously reported. Graduates who wish to teach in public schools, however, must qualify for a Professional Educator License. The Illinois State Board of Education approved Moody’s Elementary Education Degree Program in January 2024, but CPS excluded Moody from its teaching program. 

The district’s actions unlawfully forced Moody to choose between its Christian beliefs and providing quality education to students – the two primary missions of the school, Moody President Mark Jobe previously told The Lion. 

“The Supreme Court’s been clear that government officials cannot exclude religious institutions from government benefit programs like the Student Teacher Program, solely because of a religious institution’s religious exercise of the religious character,” Galus told The Lion, saying CPS violated Moody’s constitutional rights.

Because of the quick settlement, Moody students were not severely impacted, Galus explained.

“What we’re really grateful for and excited about is that we were able to get this resolved quickly so that the students should be able to get into the classrooms this upcoming fall and fulfill their requirements within the timeline that’s needed to graduate and get the degree.”

The win is not only a victory for Moody students but also for Chicago schools, which desperately need more teachers, Galus said.

“Something that Moody is excited about is that it has well-qualified students who are ready to student teach, and this is a pipeline to help fill classrooms,” Galus said. “Chicago desperately needs teachers, so we view the settlement and quick resolution as a win-win for everybody.”

Moody sets “high standards of excellence” for its faculty and staff so its students will be “well-equipped and qualified” to fill these positions, Galus said in the press release.

“We’re hopeful other public officials will take note that they can’t inject themselves illegally and unconstitutionally into a religious nonprofit’s hiring practices,” he said.