West Chicago Teacher Placed on Leave Over Pro-ICE Post

A teacher at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago was placed on administrative leave Monday after posting "GO ICE!" on his personal Facebook account last week, sparking widespread community concern in a district serving a predominantly Hispanic population affected by recent federal immigration enforcement actions.

The post, made in response to a local article about Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, drew immediate backlash from parents, activists and local leaders. On January 22, the West Chicago Elementary District 33 learned of the comment, which Superintendent Kristina Davis described in a statement as disruptive. The employee initially submitted a resignation that day but withdrew it before the school board could act, allowing him to report to work Monday. Following a meeting with district administrators, he was placed on leave pending an investigation and barred from district property.

Community members organized a response, including an online petition with more than 380 signatures by Tuesday afternoon. The petition urged parents to keep children home from school Monday in protest, arguing that the post undermined trust and safety for students whose families...