A teacher from Gary Elementary School in Chicago has been suspended following a controversial social media post expressing support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The teacher, who has not been publicly identified, commented “GO ICE” on a Facebook post, inciting outrage within the predominantly Hispanic community of West Chicago. This incident has spurred demands for the teacher’s termination, with a petition on Change.org claiming the post has adversely affected students’ emotional well-being.

Emotions ran high at a recent West Chicago City Council meeting, where over a hundred parents and local residents gathered to express their discontent. One parent articulated the community’s concerns to ABC7, emphasizing the expectation for mutual respect between teachers and students. Another attendee questioned the lack of due process for individuals detained on the streets. Kristina Davis, the district’s superintendent, addressed parents in a letter, noting that the teacher had initially resigned before an investigation could proceed. However, the resignation was later retracted, and the teacher was placed on administrative leave, according to Fox News.

This situation has sparked debate over potential double standards in Chicago’s handling of educators’ political expressions. Last year, teacher Lucy Martinez retained her position despite a video surfacing in which she mocked an assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk. Conservative commentator Jen Illini highlighted this comparison, pointing out the disparity in consequences between the two cases. Illinois State Senator Karina Villa joined the critique, asserting that the teacher’s actions failed to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

Villa said she stands in, ‘unwavering solidarity’ with families upset by the social media post, describing the show of support as ‘disturbing’. Locals commenting on the Change.org petition urged the school district to fire the teacher, with one writing: ‘I will not send my child to a school that has teachers who are brainwashed by the gestapo. I’d sooner find a new country.’ Another wrote: ‘The fact that he is still teaching at the school, and its Hispanic students and he’s making comments about supporting ICE, is very scary and concerning to me – I wouldn’t trust him around these kids.’ Davis wrote in her email to families that the school district has, ‘obtained legal counsel to conduct an investigation’ into the teacher. ‘The district will share additional information as appropriate. District 33 remains committed to providing safe, caring, and inclusive learning environments for all students,’ she wrote.

The superintendent explained that because the teacher withdrew their resignation before an investigation took place, the educator was placed on administrative leave to prevent them coming into school. ‘Following a meeting with District administration today, the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and will not be permitted on any District property while on leave,’ Davis said. Davis acknowledged that the teacher’s post, ‘raised concerns and caused disruption for students, families, and staff’. ‘We want to ensure our schools are safe spaces, and we look forward to seeing all students back in school tomorrow,’ she wrote. The Daily Mail has contacted the West Chicago Elementary School District for further comment.