As we previously reported to you in the January and February editions of The Extra Mile, Township High School District 211 has been defending a legal action brought by a transgender student named Nova Maday. Maday, who identifies as female, seeks equal access to the school girls’ locker room, and she has now appealed a lower court ruling in favor of the District.
On January 25, 2018, the lower court denied Maday’s motion for a preliminary injunction to allow her to use the locker room of her choice on the same terms as other female students. According to media reports, when Judge Thomas Allen denied Maday’s motion, he stated that the Illinois Human Rights Act does not require “full and equal access” to school facilities only “access,” something which the District provided to Maday.
However, on February 7, 2018, Maday appealed Judge Allen’s decision to the First District Appellate Court. The trial court record is due to be filed with the appellate court by March 2. Typically, the parties would then have a 21-day period in which to file their briefs, or written arguments. We will keep you updated as this matter progresses.
