Overview
- James Heidorn, a 14-year physical education teacher at Gary Elementary, resigned after being placed on leave and meeting with administrators who reviewed his two-word Facebook comment.
- Heidorn says the process has been professionally and personally devastating, describing sleepless nights and the abrupt loss of his classroom goodbyes.
- West Chicago Elementary District 33 said the situation caused disruptions and emphasized its responsibility to keep schools as safe spaces.
- Local officials, including Mayor Daniel Bovey and state Sen. Karina Villa, condemned the post, and a community listening session featured parents saying students felt unsafe.
- Supporters launched a GoFundMe that had raised roughly $60,000 by Monday, and Heidorn also lost a separate coaching role at a private school.