DOJ Probes 36 Illinois School Districts Over Sexual Orientation Content in Pre-K–12 Classes

The department will investigate whether parents are notified about their right to opt out children from gender ideology topics.

The Department of Justice in Washington on March 11, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division has launched multiple investigations into 36 Illinois public school districts to assess whether sexual orientation and gender ideology content is being taught in pre-K-12 grade classes.

If the districts are determined to be teaching sexual orientation and gender ideology-related content, “the investigations will examine whether the schools have notified parents of their right to opt their children out of such instruction,” the DOJ said in an April 30 statement.