This Reality Show Family's Link To Hinsdale

HINSDALE, IL – The Duggar family of reality show fame were known for their religious virtues until a sex abuse scandal came to light a few years ago.

The stars of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" live in Arkansas, but were connected for a quarter century to the Institute in Basic Life Principles. The group was long based in Hinsdale, but moved its headquarters to Big Sandy, Texas, a few years ago.

The family followed the institute's ministry and its home-schooling curriculum.

The institute's building is on Ogden Avenue in northwest Hinsdale. The group is trying to sell its property, but developers have failed to get their plans for retirement communities through the village's zoning process.

In 2016, Chicago Magazine documented the institute's presence in Hinsdale, titling its story, "The Cult Next Door."

On Friday, a four-part documentary, "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets," premieres on Amazon Prime.

In 2014, "19 Kids" was canceled after allegations surfaced that the family's oldest child, Josh Duggar, molested four of his sisters and a babysitter when he was a teen. He was later convicted of possession of child porn.

Institute founder Bill Gothard, who was born in Hinsdale, resigned as its longtime leader in 2014 after revelations emerged that he sexually harassed female employees and volunteers. He denied wrongdoing.

Gothard graduated from Lyons Township High School.