Chicago-area teacher forced to resign over 'Go ICE' Facebook post speaks out

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

James Heidorn, a 14-year veteran physical education teacher at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago, was forced to resign after local activists circulated his Facebook post saying 'GO ICE' in support of a local police department cooperating with immigration enforcement. Heidorn argues his case represents a dangerous double standard in free speech protections, noting that teachers across the country have protested Trump's immigration policies 'without facing pushback or repercussions from local school districts.'

Why it matters

Heidorn's case highlights the potential consequences for teachers who express personal political views on social media, even if those views are not directly related to their work. This raises questions about the extent to which school districts can regulate the private speech of their employees and the balance between free speech rights and maintaining a welcoming environment for all students.

The details

Before any investigation was completed, Illinois Democratic state Sen. Karina Villa publicly condemned Heidorn's 'Go ICE' Facebook post, and West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey posted a Facebook video calling the comments 'hurtful' and 'offensive.' Parents organized a school boycott, and the city held a public 'listening session' with a Spanish translator where parents said 'kids do not feel safe.' Heidorn ultimately resigned a second time rather than face termination, also losing his soccer coaching job at a nearby private school.

• Heidorn made the Facebook post supporting local police cooperation with immigration enforcement.

What they’re saying