Two-Word Post TORCHES Teacher’s Career

Close-up of a smartphone screen displaying Facebook notifications

A 14-year veteran educator lost his entire career over two words posted on his personal Facebook account.

Story Snapshot

James Heidorn, a Gary Elementary School teacher, posted “GO ICE” on Facebook in response to a local news article about law enforcement cooperation with immigration authorities
Community activists organized protests and petitions demanding his termination, leading to administrative leave and a forced resignation before formal termination
Heidorn lost both his teaching position and a separate soccer coaching job at a private school, ending 14 years of relationships with students without a proper goodbye
The incident occurred in West Chicago District 33, where ICE enforcement had resulted in family separations affecting students in the predominantly Hispanic community
The case raises questions about due process, proportionality, and whether educators retain free speech rights on personal social media accounts

Two Words That Ended a Career

James Heidorn typed “GO ICE” on his personal Facebook page on January 22, 2026. The post responded to a community article about local law enforcement pledging to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Within hours, activists circulated the screenshot throughout West Chicago’s predominantly Hispanic community. Parents organized petitions. Protest demands escalated. Heidorn initially resigned that same day, withdrew his resignation before the school board could act, but ultimately resigned again after a hearing rather than face termination. His 14-year teaching career ended without a formal investigation conclusion or the chance to say goodbye to students.

Community Trauma Meets Personal Expression

West Chicago experienced significant ICE enforcement activity in the months preceding Heidorn’s post. Mayor Daniel Bovey confirmed children had lost parents to ICE operations within three months of the controversy. Gary Elementary School serves families directly affected by these separations. This context transformed what Heidorn characterized as personal support for law enforcement into an institutional threat. More than 100 parents and community members filled city council chambers on January 26 to express outrage. The district placed Heidorn on administrative leave, citing its commitment to “safe, caring, and inclusive learning environments.”

The Proportionality Problem

Heidorn’s post contained no threats, no direct statements about students or families, and no mention of the school. The post appeared on his personal account, not school channels. Yet the consequences extended beyond his teaching position. A nearby private school terminated his soccer coaching role as collateral damage. Heidorn emphasized the severity: “I’ve spent 14 years building my career, pouring my heart into teaching kids, building relationships, and being a positive role model.” He called the outcome “a severe blow to my career” and expressed particular anguish about losing “the chance to close out my time with my students properly.”

The district never released formal investigation findings. Heidorn faced a hearing with school officials, but the process details remain undisclosed. He chose resignation over termination, suggesting the outcome was predetermined regardless of any defense he might present. This absence of transparent due process raises troubling questions about whether educators retain any personal expression rights when those views conflict with community sentiment, however understandable that sentiment may be given lived experiences with ICE enforcement.

When Activism Replaces Accountability

Community activists mobilized within hours of the post’s circulation. Online petitions demanded termination. Organizers called for student boycotts. The speed and intensity of the response left little room for investigation, context, or proportional discipline. The district faced a choice between defending an employee’s personal expression rights and avoiding community backlash. School officials chose the path of least institutional resistance. This calculation becomes particularly concerning when the mob’s demands circumvent established disciplinary processes and due process protections that typically govern public employment.

The case exposes a fundamental inconsistency in public education’s approach to viewpoint diversity. Districts routinely champion inclusive environments and diverse perspectives until those perspectives conflict with prevailing community politics. Heidorn supported a federal law enforcement agency executing congressionally authorized duties. That position may be unpopular in West Chicago, but expressing it on a personal social media account traditionally falls within First Amendment protections for public employees speaking as private citizens on matters of public concern.

The Chilling Effect on Educator Speech

Heidorn’s forced resignation sends an unmistakable message to educators throughout Illinois and beyond: your personal social media accounts are not personal, your political views must align with community demographics, and your job security depends on community activist approval rather than professional performance. This standard creates an untenable working environment where teachers must constantly self-censor private expression to avoid career destruction. The precedent extends beyond immigration enforcement to any politically sensitive topic where community sentiment might turn against personal viewpoints expressed outside the classroom.