Durbin calls probe ‘sham’; state lawmaker backs transparency

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is voicing strong support for a federal investigation into dozens of school districts, framing the move as a necessary step toward transparency and parental involvement – while pushing back against criticism from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat.

State Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, who also serves on the Mt. Zion school board, praised the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to examine school policies across Illinois, arguing that parents have been sidelined in key educational decisions.

“The federal government and the Department of Justice sending investigators to the state of Illinois, I think, is a great idea,” Deering said. “Parents don’t stop being parents when their child walks into a school building… over 40 hours a week.”

Her comments come after the U.S. Department of Justice launched investigations into multiple Illinois school districts to determine whether classroom content and policies align with federal law.

Deering emphasized that families deserve greater insight into what their children are being taught.

“They do have a right to this information and knowing what is being taught in the classroom, and more importantly, being involved in major decisions that might be affecting their children,” she said.

In a statement, Durbin accused the Trump administration of misusing federal power, saying the president is “once again weaponizing the DOJ to carry out a sham investigation against a state that did not vote for him in the 2024 election.”

Durbin sharply criticized the federal probe, dismissing it as politically motivated. “I can save DOJ some time,” Durbin said in a statement. “Their investigators will find 36 Illinois school districts dedicated to providing their students with a good, well-rounded education.”

Deering rejected that characterization and doubled down on her call for collaboration between schools and families.

“Parents are demanding transparency and looking for partnership between families and schools, and it really is not controversial at all,” she said.

The Republican lawmaker attributed the current tensions to policies enacted by Democratic leadership in Illinois.

“What’s happening in our schools here in Illinois is a result of bad policy that’s being pushed by our governor and the legislative Democrats,” Deering said, adding that the system has been “moved… in a direction parents have not agreed to.”

She also suggested that some school districts feel pressured by state mandates.

“A lot of conversations I’ve had with local school districts, they feel like they’re being forced to comply with these state mandates,” Deering said. “Many parents are raising absolutely legitimate concerns.”