Rockford Schools Face Civil Rights Complaint Over Racial Bias in Discipline

Two national civil rights groups have filed a complaint against Rockford Public Schools, Illinois' third-largest school district, alleging discriminatory practices in school discipline that disproportionately target Black students with police tickets and arrests. The complaint, submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, argues that minor behavioral issues are being handled by police rather than educators, funneling Black students into the justice system. The groups seek federal intervention to change these practices and highlight broader racial disparities in school discipline within the district.