'Horrendous' religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

‘Horrendous’ religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School students who were required to participate in a Transcendental Meditation program during class.

The settlement approved by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kennelly requires the Chicago Board of Education and the New York-based David Lynch Foundation to pay $100,000 to the lead plaintiff and from $3,000 to $9,500 each to the remaining students who filed claims.

Attorney John Mauck, partner at Mauck & Baker, said the so-called “Quiet Time” program was a horrendous violation of religious freedom.

“The David Lynch Foundation, which promotes what they call ‘Transcendental Meditation,’ which is really totally Hindu worship and Hindu meditation, worked its way into the Chicago schools for a number of years,” Mauch explained.

Mauck said students were coerced to go through a Hindu initiation ceremony with offerings to a guru and repeat mantras with the names of Hindu deities.

“Another student was told, ‘If you don’t kneel before the picture of the guru during your initiation ceremony, it could affect your eligibility on the girls basketball team,’” Mauck related.

Mauck said students were instructed not to tell their parents, especially if the parents were religious.

“So parents were kept in the dark. Of course, some students didn’t obey that restriction and the parents eventually found out,” Mauck said.

Mauck said parents got involved, and the school board eventually dropped the program when the Transcendental Meditation group refused to stop holding the Hindu initiation ceremony.

Mauck said the court certified 773 students who had been required to participate in the program. More than 200 filed claims, and Mauck said those students are receiving checks between $3,000 and $9,400 each.

Citing the recent Mahmoud v. Taylor decision, Mauck said the U.S. Supreme Court has reemphasized parental control over religious education of students.

“The parents have an opt-out, and they need to be informed if there are religiously-controversial teachings going on,” Mauck explained.

Mauck said he was not aware of similar cases in Illinois, but there have been cases in California, Massachusetts, New York and “a lot in New Jersey.”

Mauck said Transcendental Meditation is out of Chicago schools, but parents should find out if similar programs are happening in their schools.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump's policies

Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...
Two Democrats, two Republicans seek attorney general seat

Two Democrats, two Republicans seek attorney general seat

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
Democrats condemn Minnesota GOP convention tribute to Derek Chauvin

Democrats condemn Minnesota GOP convention tribute to Derek Chauvin

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republicans are facing backlash after delegates at the Minnesota Republican Party's state convention voted to hold a moment of silence for former Minneapolis police officer...
Questions loom after data center legislation stalls

Questions loom after data center legislation stalls

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he thinks state lawmakers will eventually pass data center regulations,...
Feds charge 14 in Ohio fraud schemes, totaling $50M

Feds charge 14 in Ohio fraud schemes, totaling $50M

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal prosecutors announced charges against 14 individuals in Ohio on allegations of fraud totaling as much as $50 million. Two state employees were included in...
U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of generic drug patents

U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of generic drug patents

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that a cardiovascular drugmaker did not violate America's patent laws. The ruling could allow...
Former HHS secretary tied to company that could benefit from CMS screening proposal

Former HHS secretary tied to company that could benefit from CMS screening proposal

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal rule that would expand Medicare coverage for certain colorectal cancer screening tests could benefit a company whose board includes former U.S. Health...
Supreme Court rules against Verizon, AT&T over privacy penalties

Supreme Court rules against Verizon, AT&T over privacy penalties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision on Thursday, ruled that the Federal Communication Commission did not need to involve a jury in multimillion...
Illinois quick hits: Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House, Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill

Illinois quick hits: Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House, Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller’s legislation aimed...
Trump to tap Blanche as attorney general

Trump to tap Blanche as attorney general

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After serving as acting attorney general for more than two months, President Donald Trump says he plans to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general. Trump...
Trump signs executive orders on customs, federal workforce reforms

Trump signs executive orders on customs, federal workforce reforms

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A year and a half and over 260 executive orders into his second term, President Donald Trump signed several more executive orders Wednesday, including one...
McCuskey eyes delay, reversal of furnace, water heater rules

McCuskey eyes delay, reversal of furnace, water heater rules

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey has submitted a formal comment letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright urging the...
Pratt, Bass on track to face each other in Nov. 3 mayoral race

Pratt, Bass on track to face each other in Nov. 3 mayoral race

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) – It continues to appear that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will be in a Nov. 3 runoff with Spencer Pratt. Bass,...