West Chicago teacher resigns after 'Go ICE' social media post draws outrage

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. (WLS) -- An elementary school teacher has resigned after a social media post drew outrage from some parents in the west suburbs.

The post was a comment in response to an article about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Parents and others who were upset with the teacher's public support for the agency gathered in protest last month.

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The teacher works at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago. His apparent post was just two words long on a social media page talking about immigration activities. It said, "Go ICE."

The school district placed that employee on leave while it investigated.

The teacher voluntarily resigned Thursday and the board approved the resignation, officials said.

The social media comment drew an angry response from a crowd of more than 100 parents and community members. They filled West Chicago City Council chambers on Jan. 26 to express their frustration and outrage that, according to officials, the school still employs the teacher.

Many at the gathering have previously protested against ICE activities in West Chicago. They say ICE has targeted West Chicago's large Latino population in the last several months, causing the separation of many families.

"We have kids in our school districts, in this school specifically, who have lost a mom or dad or family member within the last three months. They're going home wondering if they will ever see mom or dad again," West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey said last month.

The mayor says he invited the demonstrators to express themselves at the meeting rather than at the school. As part of the protest, many parents kept their kids home from school, with some bringing them to the meeting instead.

"You have many students across District 33 who did not go to school today because of fear incited by a teacher," Illinois state Sen. Karina Villa said last month.

Many of the protesters said they recognized the teacher's First Amendment rights to free speech, but they have rights as well.

Superintendent Kristina Davis said in a statement, "On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the District learned of concerns regarding a disruptive social media comment made by a District employee on his personal account. The teacher initially submitted his resignation. Later that day, he withdrew his resignation before the Board had an opportunity to take action."

The teacher submitted another resignation letter this week after the first was withdrawn last month.