Andrew S Chesney, State Representative for 89th District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=3215
Andrew S Chesney, State Representative for 89th District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=3215
Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney has raised concerns over a recent track meet at Jefferson Middle School, where a transgender student competed on a girls' junior high track team. Chesney said that this participation is "a clear violation of Title IX protections for female students."
"Last week in Naperville a biological male was allowed to compete against girls at a junior high track meet," said S Chesney, according to Facebook. "The race wasn't even close. This is what happens when we do not clearly define the difference between "male" and "female. This is a clear violation of Title IX, and I fully support the lawsuit filed against the District on those grounds."
The event, part of the Napier Prairie Conference, took place on May 14 and has sparked debate within the Napier Community Unit School District 203. According to an NBC5 report, parents opposing the student's involvement argued it provided an unfair advantage, while others defended the district's policy. The school district maintains compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.
Screenshot of State Senator Andrew Chesney's May 21 Facebook post
| State Senator Andrew Chesney's Facebook page
Awake Illinois, an advocacy group, filed a civil rights complaint on May 19. The complaint accuses government officials, state agencies, and local school districts of misapplying state laws and ISBE guidance. It requests that the federal Office of Civil Rights investigate these policies and actions, assess penalties for non-compliance, and warns that failure to adhere to federal regulations could result in loss of funding. The group's press release claims that the school district lacks formal policies on transgender student participation in sports and alleges violations of federal Title IX protections.
Chesney has represented Illinois' 45th Senate District since 2023. Before his senate tenure, he served in the 89th House District starting in December 2018. His public service includes time as an elected member of the Freeport City Council and board membership with Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP), supporting individuals with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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