If you received a Notice, you have the right to join a settlement for current or former students in the Chicago Public Schools if: (1) you participated in the “Quiet Time Program” offered at one of the following public schools: William J. Bogan High School, James H. Bowen High School, Percy L. Julian High School, Daniel Hale Williams Prep School of Medicine, Amundsen High School, TEAM Englewood High School, Gage Park High School, or Telpochcalli Elementary School during the academic calendar year for 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, or 2018-19, and (2) you reached, or will reach, the age of eighteen on or after January 13, 2021. The settlement concerns claims for alleged violations of your rights under the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution by the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation. The Notice and this website informs you of the settlement, the settlement terms that may affect you, and how to receive settlement money. The Notice and this website are only a summary.
The Court has preliminarily approved the settlement as fair and reasonable. If the Court gives final approval of the Settlement, it is not reversed by an appellate court, and if you timely submit a Claim Form, you will be eligible to recover your settlement share. The size of the payments to class members who submit valid Claim Forms has not yet been determined. At this time, we anticipate that each class member who files a valid Claim Form will receive at least $1,000.00.
Regarding allocation of the Settlement, students who participated in TM training (Group A) will receive a payment from the Class Net Settlement Fund in an amount three times greater than students who participated in Quiet Time only (Group B). A determination of whether a Class Member is in Group A or Group B is based on records that were submitted by the Board and DLF to Simpluris, the Class Administrator. No Class Member is eligible to be a member of both Group A and Group B. The size of the payments to the Class Members will be determined after the deadline for Claim submission by the number of Class Members who submit timely and valid Claim forms to the Settlement Administrator.
Your Legal Rights and Options In This Settlement | Deadline | |
File a Claim Form to Participate in The Settlement and Receive a Payment | If you wish to settle your claims and receive a payment, you must submit a timely and valid Claim Form, attached to the Notice. If you do so, and if the Court grants final approval of the settlement, you will receive payment by way of a check in the mail or through an electronic deposit (such as through Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo) based on your selection. | May 2, 2025 |
Object to the Settlement | You may also participate in the settlement but object to its terms, letting the Court resolve your objections. If you object to the settlement, you will be bound by the Court’s decision, and if the Court grants final approval of the settlement, you will receive payment by way of a check in the mail or through electronic deposit and you will release all claims against the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation associated with this action. | May 2, 2025 |
Opt-Out of the Settlement | If you wish to be excluded from the Settlement Class, you must file a timely and valid opt-out letter to the Settlement Administrator consistent with the instructions detailed in FAQ 4. If you opt-out, you will not participate in the settlement, you will not release your claims against the Board of Education for the City of Chicago or the David Lynch Foundation, and you will not receive any payment. | May 2, 2025 |
Do Nothing | By doing nothing, you will remain a Settlement Class Member. However, you will give up any right to receive a payment from this settlement, and you will release all claims against the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation. | |
Upcoming Important Dates
Claim Filing Deadline
5/2/2025
Objection Deadline
5/2/2025
Opt Out Deadline
5/2/2025
Final Approval Hearing
5/7/2025 at 8:45 a.m.