Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans, said the recent incident at a Deerfield middle school is a "blatant violation of federal authority and women’s rights," adding that it jeopardizes safety and privacy by prioritizing what he referred to as "woke ideology." Rule made these remarks to the Peoria Standard on March 26.

"Allowing a biological male into a female locker room in defiance of executive orders is a clear act of institutional overreach," said Rule. "Deerfield's administration is not only breaking rules but also endangering students. This is not progress—it's the abandonment of reason and responsibility. This violation undermines the safety and mental wellbeing of girls who rely on the boundaries crafted by trusted adults–they deserve better."

The Chicago Tribune reported that the incident involved a civil rights complaint filed by Nicole Georgas, a parent, with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The complaint was related to a transgender student using the girls' locker room at Shepard Middle School. According to Georgas, staff at the school compelled girls to change alongside the transgender student. Her complaint has since been forwarded to the Department of Education. During a school board meeting, Georgas advocated for sex-segregated facilities, highlighting an existing gender-neutral option. She also referenced executive orders from the Trump administration that restricted transgender rights and warned about potential threats to girls' privacy, safety, and mental health.

The American College of Pediatricians has reported concerns over puberty blockers and other medical interventions for transgender youth. They noted there is no long-term evidence supporting their safety or efficacy, labeling these interventions as experimental. The lack of reliable data complicates informed consent from parents and assent from minors. The report suggests that puberty blockers may exacerbate gender dysphoria and lead to self-harm and emotional instability while posing risks such as osteoporosis and cognitive impairment.

According to Alliance Defending Freedom, Dr. Hilary Cass's review for England’s National Health Service (NHS) critiques the evidence backing puberty blockers and surgeries for children with gender dysphoria. Cass found no reliable long-term outcome data and criticized the rapid global adoption of these treatments based on limited studies. She emphasized involving parents in medical decisions unless it jeopardizes child safety and called for an evidence-based approach over ideological influences in treating gender-related distress.

Rule, who resides in Morton, was first elected chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans in 2018. According to their website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Tazewell County voters."