The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg (R‑MI), sent a formal request to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent and CEO Monica King on August 27, 2026. The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, follows King’s testimony at a June 10 hearing titled “Breaking Trust: Attacks on Parental Rights, Inappropriate Content, and Legal Abuses in America’s Schools.”
Committee concerns
Committee members, including Rep. Mary Miller (R‑IL) and Rep. Bob Onder (R‑MO), pressed King about CPS policies that they say allow schools to hide a student’s gender transition from parents. Walberg cited CPS’s interim guidelines and a “Gender Diversity Toolkit” that prohibit staff from disclosing a student’s transgender status or gender‑nonconforming presentation without the student’s permission, and that do not require parental consent.
Walberg warned that such language could run afoul of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta, which held that parents have a protected right to know about their child’s gender identity under the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment’s substantive due‑process clause. The Court’s ruling, still pending before the Ninth Circuit, suggests that schools that withhold this information may be violating constitutional rights.
Requests for documentation
The committee is demanding that CPS turn over all guidance documents, written complaints, and professional‑development materials related to gender and sexuality. The deadline for a response is set for September 11, 2026.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Walberg emphasized that “parents deserve the right to know what goes on in their child’s classroom and have a say in decisions regarding their child— that is commonsense and that right doesn’t go away at the schoolhouse door.” He added that the committee will continue to “stand up for parents’ rights and defend their God‑given role in their children’s lives and education.”
Local impact
Chicago families have expressed frustration with the district’s lack of transparency. Several parent groups have called for clearer communication policies, arguing that decisions about a child’s name, pronouns, or gender identity should not be made without parental involvement.
CPS has not yet responded to requests for comment on the committee’s letter. The district maintains that it complies with Illinois state law, but has not clarified whether its policies align with the federal standards outlined in Mirabelli.
Broader context
The investigation reflects a growing national debate over how public schools handle pediatric gender treatments and the extent to which parents should be involved. The Trump administration has repeatedly highlighted what it calls “woke” policies in schools, urging federal agencies to enforce parental‑rights protections.
As the House committee moves forward, Chicago parents and educators alike will be watching closely to see whether the district adjusts its policies or faces further federal scrutiny.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
