Community Members Demand Action Against Teacher Over Social Media Post
Over 100 members of the community, including many parents, gathered at a West Chicago City Council meeting to call for action against an elementary school teacher due to a controversial social media post related to immigration.
West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey echoed the community’s sentiments, urging Gary Elementary School to dismiss the teacher for showing support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We want to ensure our schools are safe places and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school,” he stated.
Bovey went on to express concern for students in the district who have recently lost family members. “They are going home wondering if they will never see their mother or father again,” he remarked.
The teacher’s controversial comment was simply “Go to ICE,” which he posted in the comments of an article addressing immigration operations.
The school’s principal confirmed that the teacher is currently on paid leave. “On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the district became aware of concerns regarding harmful social media comments made by a district employee on a personal account,” Superintendent Christina Davis explained in a statement.
Interestingly, the teacher initially submitted his resignation, but later retracted it before any board action could occur.
Many believe the post has rendered the teacher unfit for the classroom. One activist questioned, “Where is the due process for all the children kidnapped from the streets?”
Emma Villa, a grandparent, shared her thoughts: “At home, we teach our children to respect their teachers, and we expect them to respect their teachers as well.” Some parents chose to keep their children home in protest of the teacher’s comments.
Illinois Senator Karina Villa noted that many students in District 33 did not attend school due to their teachers’ words inciting fear.
A few attendees even called for Mayor Bovey to resign, suggesting he was trying to suppress a teacher’s political expression.
“We understand that this situation has caused concern and confusion for our students, families, and staff,” Davis continued in her statement. “We want to ensure our schools are safe places and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, trust, and cooperation during this ongoing investigation.”
