Some West Chicago residents are outraged over a remark made by an elementary school teacher.
It was just two words.
“Go ICE.”
Written by the teacher on social media.
State Sen. Karina Villa was among those speaking during a meeting at City Hall.
“Words matter,” she said, “and words have consequences.”
West Chicago has a large Latino population and some residents have been taken by ICE and Border Patrol agents.
Mayor Dan Bovey said the teacher can have political opinions and he’s entitled to due process.
“The reason that we are here is because our community is one that has been traumatized in the last 3 months, 4 months, by the actions of ICE,” he said. “We have kids in the schools, in the school in question, who have lost a mom or a dad. We have kids who are having panic attacks at school, who are afraid that they will get home and their mom or their dad will not be there.”
One resident said, “where is the due process for all the people that are being kidnapped on the streets?”
A teacher, Deb Taylor, said “as teachers we care deeply for the well-being of our students and our community. We want to reassure you that our schools are a safe place for your children. We strongly believe that schools should be a safe place for every one of our students, regardless of race, ethnicity or immigration status.”
Another resident, a woman identifying herself as Christine, said “this person, his values are not aligned with the values of our community.”
She said its like someone going into a black community saying ‘go KKK,’ and said that person doesn’t have any business there.
“That person has his right to his own opinion,” she added. “He can express it however he wants, but he can do it within another school community, not ours.”
The teacher in question resigned from his position at Gary Elementary School last week and then rescinded the resignation.
He was later placed on leave.
Those who want to see him go will have more to say at the next meeting of the school board.