photo #8745319

Moody Bible Institute has been a renowned Chicago institution since 1886.But—despite a teacher shortage—the Chicago public school board is refusing to accept student teachers from Moody, due to its religious hiring practices.Today we filed a federal lawsuit.Why would the Chicago Board of Education exclude well-qualified student teachers from a local private college, even as they struggle to staff hundreds of open teaching positions?The answer: they object to Moody Bible Institute’s long-standing practice of hiring Christians who live by biblical standards. But if Moody were to hire non-believers, it would quickly cease to be a Christian college. Chicago is asking Moody to give up its faith in order to qualify for the student teaching program.The First Amendment has something to say about this. Government can’t deny otherwise available benefits to religious people or institutions simply because of their faith.Common sense has something to say as well. Disqualifying good teachers because they go to Christian school helps no one—least of all the Chicago families whose children stand to benefit.@ADFLegal is honored to represent Moody Bible Institute in this case.