For the past couple of months, institutions across the state of Illinois have announced that they will keep on educating their students on LGBTQ+ history, despite the Trump administration threatening to retaliate by suspending federal funding for those schools.
In 2019, Illinois passed the Inclusive Curriculum Law, requiring public schools to incorporate the history contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals into their teaching programs. This law, which took effect on July 1, 2020, made Illinois the fifth state in the country to adopt such a mandate. The law amended the Illinois School Code, ensuring that LGBTQ+ history is taught alongside other aspects of U.S. and Illinois history.
To support the law’s implementation, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) developed guidelines to help teachers incorporate LGBTQ+ content into their program. This initiative is aimed at creating a more inclusive environment in schools and providing students with a fuller and diverse view of history.
According to the GLSEN, which stands for Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network, their National School Climate Survey, schools that include LGBTQ+ topics into their curriculum tend to have lower levels of bullying and harassment amongst the community, there are higher feelings of safety and belongings among LGBTQ+ students, and there has been an increased student engagement and academic performance. GLSEN’s research emphasizes that when LGBTQ students see themselves reflected in what they are learning, it can significantly improve their mental health, self-esteem, and overall school experience.
As of Feb. 2024, Illinois schools have continued to implement this curriculum, ensuring that LGBTQ+ history is integrated into a lesson on American history. Cortney Mason, a Graduate Assistant at Lewis University for the Student Accounts Department, stated, “We’ve alway been here and will always be here.” She emphasized that the education of the country about the history of the queer community maintains that citizens are united and informed, which consequently causes that there is a community that supports and helps one another. Aside from that, Mason explained that educating the younger generations helps those that are part of the queer community to feel include and creates programs to support them, which help lower the suicide rates amongst them.
The Trump administration has announced plans to withhold federal funding from Illinois public schools that continue to teach LGBTQ+ history, part of a broader crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in education. The move follows President Trump’s January 2025 signing of Executive Order 14190, titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling.” The order bans K–12 schools from teaching content viewed by the administration as un-American or politically charged, including lessons involving gender identity or critical race theory. Schools that do not comply could face financial penalties and legal consequences.
Illinois leaders have strongly opposed the measure. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has defended the state’s Inclusive Curriculum Law, passed in 2019, which requires schools to teach about the historical contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. ISBE Superintendent Tony Sanders emphasized that Illinois is following both state law and federal civil rights protections. He highlighted that the state’s education standards are aligned with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
“We are in full compliance with federal civil rights laws,” said ISBE Superintendent Tony Sanders. “Our curriculum reflects the diversity of our students and upholds the values of equity and inclusion.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed the state’s position, warning that any attempt to strip funding from schools could result in a lawsuit. “We’re gonna sue. It’s unconstitutional to disrupt freedom of speech,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to be intimidated by these threats, it’s just that simple.”
