Illinois school district OKs deal over locker room access

Chicago (AP) — A suburban Chicago school district has approved a deal allowing a transgender student a separate changing area in a girls' locker room.

The Township High School District 211 school board in Palatine met for hours Wednesday, hearing public comments and then meeting in closed session.

The vote came after the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights ruled last month that the district violated federal law by not permitting the student — who was born male and identifies as female — full access to the locker room. But the Chicago Tribune reports that with the settlement, the student has agreed to use the private areas to change and shower.

According to The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald, the agreement also says the district will allow any student privacy accommodations in the locker room.

Federal officials still must approve the deal.

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The Gayly – December 3, 2015 @ 7:20 a.m.