Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois, said a longtime physical education teacher at Gary Elementary in West Chicago was forced to resign after posting a brief comment supporting ICE on social media, raising questions about free speech rights for educators.
“A dedicated PE teacher with 14 years at Gary Elementary in West Chicago was forced to resign after a single social media comment supporting ICE sparked massive backlash and unfair pressure,” said Adcock, Founder and President. “He lost his career, his calling, and the chance to say goodbye to his students; all without a fair hearing. This isn’t just about a job; it’s about free speech and standing up to mob outrage. He is not an activist and cares a lot about his students. He got a bum deal here.”
The incident has raised questions about free speech rights for educators and the impact of online expression on professional roles. According to Adcock on X, “A dedicated PE teacher with 14 years at Gary Elementary in West Chicago was forced to resign after a single social media comment supporting ICE sparked massive backlash and unfair pressure (…) He lost his career, his calling, and the chance to say goodbye to his students; all without a fair hearing.” She added, “This isn’t just about a job; it’s about free speech and standing up to mob outrage (…) He is not an activist and cares a lot about his students. He got a bum deal here.”
Adcock shared details of the case on X, stating that the teacher’s brief pro-ICE remark led to significant backlash and deprived him of both his professional role and student interactions without proper review. The account also urged assistance through a fundraising link for the affected individual. According to her post, support is being sought for the former teacher.
<a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/gary-elementary-school-teachers-go-ice-post-social-media-draws-outrage-west-chicago-district-33-community/18556009′>ABC7 Chicago reports that the two-word “Go ICE” comment resulted in administrative leave for the teacher and subsequent resignation following protests from community members concerned about implications for the local Hispanic population. The school board approved a separation agreement amid calls for accountability.
Illinois educators have faced scrutiny over social media activity in recent years. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, about a dozen teachers were placed on leave or questioned in 2025 over comments related to conservative figures or immigration stances, reflecting ongoing debates over professional boundaries.
Nationally, teachers with conservative perspectives often encounter hostile work environments. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nea-insider-blows-whistle-on-toxic-culture-and-far-left-politics-inside-teachers-union-its-a-cult’>Fox News reports that an anonymous National Education Association employee described sessions focused on social justice themes as marginalizing differing opinions, contributing to self-censorship among conservative educators.
Adcock founded Awake Illinois in 2021 to promote parental involvement and challenge school policies regarding COVID mitigations and equity programs. According to her organization’s website, she is also chair of the DuPage County chapter of Moms for Liberty.
