Last week, the Department of Education announced the formal rescinding of the 2024 Title IX rule and reinstatement of the 2020 Title IX rule. This announcement began the process of codifying the 2020 Title IX Rule in the Code of Federal Regulations. The Recodification of Title IX Rules was released on September 29, 2026 in the Federal Register.
We recognize that last week’s announcement may cause concern and distress for members of our university community and beyond, especially amid renewed concerns about sexual misconduct at colleges and universities across the country. We want to reaffirm that this announcement does not change how the university supports and serves anyone affected by sexual misconduct, including the LGBTQ+ community.
While Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may be the first federal and most well-known law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs, there are other laws that protect sex and gender rights which the university upholds. In addition to Title IX, the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy incorporates expectations from other federal and state laws, such as the Violence Against Women Act as codified in the Clery Act (34 CFR § 668.46), the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and the Illinois Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected classes, including sexual orientation and gender identity, and retaliation. These laws are all incorporated into the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Additionally, the university has expanded the Sexual Misconduct Policy beyond state and federal requirements to address harmful behavior as recommended by the Provost’s Task Force on Faculty Sexual Misconduct in 2019.
Illinois has several resources to help our campus community create an environment that is welcoming, safe, and inclusive for people of all sexualities and gender identities.
- Sexual Misconduct support, response, and prevention information is available on the We Care website.
- Confidential Advisors are available in the Women’s Resources Center to provide support and advocacy services for people of all gender identities if you or someone you know needs support.
- The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center at Illinois serves the university by fostering an environment in which people of all sexualities and gender identities can be their authentic selves.
- Students and employees who are affected by pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions may seek assistance under the Pregnancy and Related Conditions policy. The university’s prohibition on discrimination extends to any current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions.