Illinois Senate Republicans request federal guidance to protect fairness in women’s sports

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter April 22 to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting federal guidance to ensure fairness in girls’ and women’s athletics in Illinois high schools.

The letter reflects conflicting guidance from state agencies and growing concerns about how to uphold the intent of Title IX in the wake of recent federal actions. Every member of the Senate Republican Caucus signed the letter, underscoring the unified support behind efforts to protect opportunities for female athletes in Illinois.

“We are standing up for fairness and for every girl who has put in the work to compete, earn a scholarship, or chase a championship,” said Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris), speaking to why the Caucus sent the letter. “Title IX was meant to give women equal opportunity—we must protect that hard-fought progress and ensure girls today have the same chance to succeed that generations before them earned through grit and perseverance.”

Recently, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) responded to a letter from Republican lawmakers who asked how the IHSA plans to protect opportunities for female athletes. In its response, the IHSA revealed that both the Illinois Attorney General and the Department of Human Rights have directed the organization to permit athletes to compete based on gender identity—a stance the IHSA says could conflict with federal law.

In their letter to Attorney General Bondi, Republican Senators are asking for clarification on how Illinois schools and athletic associations should respond to President Donald Trump’s February 5 Executive Order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order directs federal agencies to interpret Title IX consistent with its original intent—protecting single-sex athletic competition for biological females.

“The President’s order affirms what Title IX was created to do—ensure women and girls can compete on a level playing field,” said Republican Caucus Whip Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy). “We’re not just talking about who wins a race. We’re talking about scholarships, leadership opportunities, and life skills that sports provide to young women.”

“There are two genders: male and female. No amount of identity politics changes biology,” said Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia). “Allowing males to compete against females is not inclusion, it’s injustice. It’s dangerous, it’s unfair, and it erases the very foundation of women’s sports. As a father of a student athlete, I will not stand by while our daughters are robbed of safety, opportunity, and the level playing field they deserve. 

The lawmakers are seeking answers to the following:

• Whether Illinois’ current position permitting biological males to compete in girls’ sports violates federal law.
• If that position places the state at risk of losing federal education funding or facing legal action from the Department of Justice.
• What steps Illinois must take to align with both the Executive Order and Title IX.

“As a former athlete, I know firsthand how sports help young women develop confidence, discipline, and leadership,” said Assistant Republican Leader Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). “Those opportunities helped shape who I am—and they deserve to be protected for the next generation of girls.”

The IHSA’s written response underscored the legal confusion facing schools:

“The [Illinois] Attorney General (‘AG’) and, more recently, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (‘IDHR’) have asserted to the IHSA that the Illinois Human Rights Act requires that transgender athletes be permitted to participate in events and programs aligning with the gender with which they identify… Compliance with the Executive Order could place IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa.”

The association concluded by encouraging state and federal officials to work together to provide clear, coordinated guidance.

In the letter to Bondi, the Caucus also cited legal actions already under way in other states. The U.S. Department of Justice has taken action in Maine, California, and Minnesota—arguing that allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports may constitute sex discrimination under Title IX and violate federal funding agreements.

“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s about protecting the progress generations of women have fought for,” said Senate Republican Caucus Whip Sally Turner (R-Beason). “Letting biological males compete in girls’ sports is unfair—plain and simple.”

A copy of the letter sent to Attorney General Bondi is available here.