Latest news with #Georgas
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois school faces criminal DOJ referral after allegations of forcing girls to change with trans student
FIRST ON FOX: The Illinois school district that faced national scrutiny for allegations of forcing middle school girls to change in the same locker room as a transgender student has been referred to the Department of Justice. The law firm America First Legal (AFL) made the criminal referral of the district Deerfield Public Schools 109 to the DOJ on Tuesday, urging the department to investigate the district and middle school where the allegations occurred for potential violations of federal and state law. AFL alleged the district violated Code § 241, also known as the "Conspiracy against rights" statute, which makes it a federal crime for two or more people to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws. "We ask that your office promptly open a directed criminal investigation into the allegations in the complaint for violations of § 241, take all actions necessary," the complaint reads. AFL senior counselor Ian Prior advocated for a criminal investigation in a statement. "The situation at Deerfield Public Schools has gone beyond a Title IX violation and has escalated to a situation that requires the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to launch a criminal investigation. Students should not have their First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment Rights sacrificed at the altar of radical transgender madness and the woke government bureaucrats that view the Constitution as nothing more than toilet paper should face the long arm of our Justice Department," Prior said. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights announced in late March that it was launching an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, the Chicago Public School District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 over reported Title IX violations. Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought the situation to light when she filed a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department after alleging that school administrators had attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls' locker room last month. Georgas told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that she is "praying" for her daughter and justice amid the request for an investigation. "I am praying for justice for Cate and all the girls whose rights have been so callously disregarded," Georgas said. Georgas revealed the complaint during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident took place last month after her daughter had refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present at the time. "The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being, mental health and privacy are at stake," Georgas said during her speech at the board meeting on Thursday. Georgas then raised the issue to the school's administration, noting to them that she believed it was a direct violation of President Donald Trump's Keeping Men out of Women's Sports executive order. She said in her speech that the school administration had informed her that, under the direction of its legal counsel, the transgender student was free to use both the girls' bathroom and the girls' locker room Fox News Digital has reached out to DPS 109 for comment. The district previously provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the DOE investigation. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement read. "We are sensitive to the privacy needs of all of our middle school students and ensure that no student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others. When both our middle schools were renovated in 2017, we added five private changing stations within each locker room that are available to all students. All students also have multiple options to change in a private location separate from the locker room if they wish." The district also said it will work with local families to determine next steps. "The District and the Board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement continued. "The District and the Board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois school district responds to federal probe into allegations of making girls change with transgender
Deerfield Public Schools District 109 has responded to a federal Title IX investigation that was launched over allegations of administrators forcing middle school girls to change in the same locker room as a transgender student. The district provided a statement to Fox News Digital insisting that its actions were rooted in Illinois state law. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement read. "We are sensitive to the privacy needs of all of our middle school students and ensure that no student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others. When both our middle schools were renovated in 2017, we added five private changing stations within each locker room that are available to all students. All students also have multiple options to change in a private location separate from the locker room if they wish." The district also says it will work with local families to determine next steps. "The District and the Board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement continued. "The District and the Board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights announced on Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, the Chicago Public School District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 over reported Title IX violations. Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought the situation to light when she filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging that school administrators had attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls' locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident had taken place last month after her daughter had refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present at the time. "The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being, mental health and privacy are at stake," Georgas said during her speech at the board meeting on Thursday. Georgas then raised the issue to the school's administration, noting to them that she believed it was a direct violation of President Donald Trump's Keeping Men out of Women's Sports executive order. She said in her speech that the school administration had informed her that, under the direction of its legal counsel, the transgender student was free to use both the girls' bathroom and the girls' locker room. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump admin probes Illinois school over allegations girls were forced to change in front of trans student
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights announced on Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, the Chicago Public School District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 over reported Title IX violations. The reported violations stem from an alleged incident involving middle school girls being forced to change in the same locker room as a transgender student. "Congress enacted Title IX to end sex-based discrimination against females in educational programs, and its implementing regulations have long reflected the common sense practice of schools providing separate intimate facilities for males and females," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor in the announcement. "The architects of Title IX understood that males and females, especially minors, have a right to be free from compelled exposure of their bodies or from engaging in intimate activities—like changing their clothes in a locker room—in front of the opposite sex," Trainor continued. "This preserves the privacy and safety of all involved, especially young girls. The Department is deeply troubled by these allegations and will investigate this matter fully." Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought the situation to light when she filed a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department after alleging that school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls' locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident took place last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student was present at the time. "The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being, mental health and privacy are at stake," Georgas said during her speech at the board meeting on Thursday. According to Georgas, her daughter was "frightened" and "extremely upset" on Feb. 5 when she was using the girls' bathroom and noticed a transgender student was using the facilities at the same time. "She was told by the administration that a student can use the bathroom as well as a female locker room because they now identify as female," Georgas said of the explanation administrators allegedly provided to her daughter. Georgas then raised the issue to the school's administration, noting to them that she believed it was a direct violation of President Donald Trump's Keeping Men out of Women's Sports executive order. She said in her speech that the administration informed her that, under the direction of their legal counsel, the student was free to use both the girls' bathroom and the girls' locker room. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Deerfield Public Schools District 109 said no student is required to change in front of others in the locker room and added that the school's policies align with state law. "District 109 is committed to providing a learning environment where all students and staff are respected and supported. Our policies and procedures, including student use of locker rooms, align with state laws, the Illinois School Code, and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidance. No student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others in locker rooms. All students in the middle schools have multiple options to change in a private location if they wish." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Karoline Leavitt vows Trump will keep males out of girls locker rooms amid Illinois school controversy
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the ongoing national battle over transgender inclusion in girls sports and locker rooms Wednesday. Leavitt was asked about a situation in Deerfield, Illinois, involving a mother who alleged last week that her daughter was forced to change in front of a transgender student in a locker room. The mother, Nicole Georgas, says she filed a complaint with the Department of Justice over the situation involving Deerfield Public Schools. Leavitt did not address Georgas' situation specifically, but vowed that President Donald Trump will tackle the issue at large. "The president has made it incredibly clear that it is the policy of this administration that there are only two genders, male and female," Leavitt said. "And we are not going to tolerate such behavior by men pretending to be women. The president will continue to strongly stand for the rights of women and girls, not just in sports and on athletic fields, but also private spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms." Georgas revealed the complaint during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming that the incident took place last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present at the time. "The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being, mental health and privacy are at stake," Georgas said during her speech at the board meeting on Thursday. Meanwhile, a Democrat politician has minimized the issue. During an Illinois General Assembly session Tuesday, Illinois Democrat state representative Bob Morgan suggested the girls who alleged they had been forced to change with a transgender student in a locker room had lied about the situation. Morgan, who represents Deerfield, addressed the issue in response to it being brought up by Republican state representative Adam Neimerg, who brought up the allegations by Georgas. "I'm really proud of my community who stood up for those who need to be defended and protected, making sure we have great schools, which we do by the way. We have incredible, incredible schools, incredible families, an incredible community that has come together to deal with this situation. Because it's a lie!" Morgan said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Deerfield Public Schools District 109 said that no student is required to change in front of others in the locker room and added that the school's policies align with state law. "District 109 is committed to providing a learning environment where all students and staff are respected and supported. Our policies and procedures, including student use of locker rooms, align with state laws, the Illinois School Code, and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidance. No student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others in locker rooms. All students in the middle schools have multiple options to change in a private location if they wish." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
GOP lawmaker urges Trump to pull funding for school accused of making girls change in front of trans student
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., has called on President Donald Trump to "pull all federal funding" from one district in the state after one mother alleged that her daughter and other students were forced to change in front of a transgender student in the girls' locker room. Miller posted a message on social media Tuesday, calling the allegation an "egregious violation" of the young girls' privacy and Trump's "Keeping Men out of Women's Sports" executive order, which effectively banned trans participation in women's and girls' sports. "Forcing young girls to undress in front of a biological male is not just perverted—it's an egregious violation of their privacy and President Trump's executive order to protect girls in female-only spaces," Miller's post read. "I urge President Trump to immediately pull all federal funding from the Deerfield School District! I stand firmly with Nicole Georgas, a bold and courageous Illinois mother, in defending the rights of our daughters." Miller's post came nearly a week after Georgas spoke during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109. During her speech, she accused her daughter's school administrators of attempting to force her 13-year-old daughter and others to change in front of a transgender student in a girls' locker room after the girls had previously protested changing into their uniforms for a physical education class. "The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being, mental health, and privacy are at stake," Georgas said. Georgas explained that her daughter first complained in early February that she was using the girls' bathroom when a trans student was also using the facility. She said the administration later explained that "a student can use the bathroom as well as a female locker room because they now identify as female." The issue escalated days later when Georgas' daughter refused to change in front of a trans student in the girls' locker room. Other students followed her protest, but that was when Georgas claimed that school administrators stepped in. "That day, [Assistant Superintendent for Student Services] Joanna Ford, [Assistant Principal] Cathy Van Treese, and multiple teachers all came into the girls' locker room, making them change into uniform. This went on all week," she said, adding that her daughter still "refused to take part." Georgas said she filed a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department last month. However, in a statement to Fox News Digital, Deerfield Public Schools District 109 said that no student is or was required to change in front of others in the locker room, adding that the school's policies do align with state law. "District 109 is committed to providing a learning environment where all students and staff are respected and supported. Our policies and procedures, including student use of locker rooms, align with state laws, the Illinois School Code, and Illinois State Board of Education guidance. "No student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others in locker rooms. All students in the middle schools have multiple options to change in a private location if they wish." The Trump administration has keyed in on several states accused of violating the executive order. Most notably, Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills sparred publicly over federal funding. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused funding to the University of Maine System, a network of eight public colleges in the state, but days later, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' office said the funding freeze had been reversed. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
