Dupage Policy Journal

Ajay Gupta, a candidate for Illinois House District 41, has expressed concerns regarding Illinois school districts allegedly using vague state guidance to circumvent federal protections. He voiced confidence that the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals will overturn a district court's ruling. This statement was made in a press release.

"For far too long, Illinois school districts have been hiding behind vague state guidance to sidestep explicit federal protections," said Gupta. "The district court here missed an opportunity to compel clear standards. We are confident that the Seventh Circuit will correct this error and grant the injunction to which our clients are entitled."

A federal judge on September 30, 2025, denied a preliminary injunction in the case F.F. v. Valley View Community Unit School District 365U. The case challenges a district policy that allows transgender students access to facilities matching their gender identity. According to Justia’s docket summary, this ruling maintains the district's policy while broader decisions from the Seventh Circuit and Supreme Court continue to influence Title IX enforcement in Illinois.

Illinois has not released comprehensive statewide data on school district policies regarding access to sex-segregated facilities based on gender identity. Franczek P.C.’s 2024 education law update indicates that the Illinois State Board of Education delayed collecting gender identity and sexual orientation data, opting instead to issue nonregulatory guidance affirming Title IX protections without tracking district compliance.

Across the United States, multiple states have filed legal challenges against the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rule, which expands protections for LGBTQ students. Education Week reports that at least eight multi-state lawsuits—from Kansas, Louisiana, and others—aim to block the rule, resulting in a patchwork of injunctions and contrasting sharply with Illinois’ generally supportive legal climate for inclusive policies.

Gupta is a Republican candidate for Illinois House District 41 and a Harvard-trained attorney specializing in tax and financial law. His campaign website describes him as a financial economist and immigrant resident of Naperville who focuses on fiscal accountability, education reform, and transparency within Illinois’ state governance.

Illinois House District 41 encompasses parts of DuPage and Will Counties—covering sections of Naperville and Warrenville—and has a population of approximately 111,000. Census Reporter notes it is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, with median household income above the state average and a history of politically competitive races between Democrats and Republicans.