Chicago Teacher Kept Job After Mocking Kirk Assassination, While Colleague Lost Job for Pro-ICE Post

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A Chicago-area teacher who allegedly mocked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk kept her job, while another teacher who expressed support for the federal immigration enforcement agency ICE lost his job. The contrasting reactions highlight a perceived double standard in how political speech is treated in the education system in the Chicago region.

Why it matters

This case reflects growing concerns about the politicization of education and the perceived intolerance of certain political views, especially those seen as conservative, in the classroom and school system. It raises questions about free speech, the appropriate boundaries for political expression by teachers, and whether certain views are being unfairly targeted or protected.

The details

Lucy Martinez, a teacher at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Chicago, was filmed at a protest pointing a fake gun to her neck and shouting "Bang, bang!" - an apparent mockery of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Despite this, Martinez kept her job. In contrast, James Heidorn, a physical education teacher in West Chicago, was placed on leave and later resigned after making a simple Facebook post expressing support for the federal immigration enforcement agency ICE. Local officials and a state senator condemned Heidorn's post, while Martinez faced little backlash for her actions.

• In October 2025, shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Martinez was filmed at a protest mocking the killing.
• In September 2025, Tyler Robinson shot and killed Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The school district and local officials have not indicated whether they will take any further action regarding Martinez's alleged mocking of Kirk's assassination.