McLean County Times

Chuck Erickson, former McLean County Republican Party chairman, says a local teacher’s decision to wear an “Abolish ICE” shirt in class raises concerns about political expression in public schools. Erickson said the incident reflects a broader issue of how educators present personal views in the classroom and questioned whether existing school policies address such matters.

The teacher, identified on social media as Matt Chapman of Normal Community High School, reportedly wore the shirt while teaching earlier this month. Chapman also serves as the school’s girls’ soccer coach.

Erickson, also a lawyer and former McLean County Board member, said, “He should not be wearing that as a teacher at school. It's that simple. He shouldn't wear it.”

Former McLean County Board member and GOP Chairman Chuck Erickson is speaking out about political messaging in schools concern over bias and professionalism in the classroom. | Facebook / Chuck Erickson for Illinois

The shirt was first flagged by social media users.

“You can't go into a school and say whatever you want,” Erickson said. “He shouldn't be wearing that shirt to school.”

Libs of TikTok, a popular conservative-leaning account on X, posted a photo of Chapman and accused him of promoting a political agenda.

“HOLY SHIT. Matt Chapman, who reportedly works as a teacher and coach at @McLeanCountyU5 in Illinois, appears to be wearing an ‘ABOLISH ICE’ shirt AT SCHOOL,” the post reads. “This teacher is pushing anti-ICE propaganda on students. “Any comment @McLeanCountyU5?”

The McLean County Republican Party also commented on the situation.

"This teacher, allegedly identified as Matt Chapman, was wearing the 'Abolish ICE' shirt on Monday as he taught classes and was obviously standing in the hallway to gain as much attention as possible," the group said in a Facebook post.

"Teachers should follow the Supreme Court ruling in Garcetti v. Ceballos (2006). This decision significantly limited the free speech protection afforded to public employees. In the classroom, a teacher's speech is generally considered part of their official duties. Wearing shirts with specific political views should be banned while teachers are serving in the classroom."

The incident comes amid heightened national attention on immigration enforcement following the launch of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal initiative in response to the killing of Katie Abraham, a student killed by an undocumented immigrant released under Illinois’ sanctuary laws. 

The operation has resulted in more than 1,000 deportations and led to protests outside the Broadview ICE Processing Center. Some demonstrators wore the same “Abolish ICE” shirt seen in the photo of Chapman.

Erickson said political expression in schools should be carefully regulated to maintain neutrality.

“You don't have a right to indoctrinate (students),” he said. “They don't need to know your political views. Why do they need to know that you're for abolishing ICE? If you are going to have a class called ‘Political Discussion’ or ‘Political Debate,’ you must be as neutral as possible."

He said he supports teachers’ right to express political beliefs outside of school.

“That doesn't stop him after school. He can vote any way he wants, give money to anyone he wants, or participate in a peaceful protest anywhere he wants,” Erickson said. “But he can't wear that to school.”

Erickson added that the issue reflects the need for consistent enforcement of policies.

“If you allow one side to do it, you have to allow everybody to do it,” he said. “You can't let one side do it and then have a problem with people wearing other types of shirts to work. You have to let everybody do it. I don't think you want to open that door.”

He also questioned whether the school district has clear policies in place.

“They ought to know better,” he said. “If you have to instruct a teacher that he shouldn't wear that, what kind of guidelines do you have in the first place? Do you have no guidelines? You have to tell a teacher that's not a good idea? If you even have to say that, what kind of guidelines do you have in the first place?”

Erickson referenced a separate controversy involving Unit 5 School Board President Alex Williams.

“They also had that controversy about the school board president criticizing Charlie Kirk,” Erickson said.

Williams drew criticism following online comments after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. In the posts, Williams reportedly described Fox News viewers as “low information voters” and shared critical views on institutional racism, Christianity and Trump supporters.

"They are deplorable and belong to a cult! Yep..I said it!" Williams said in one post, according to a petition calling for his resignation.

The petition, signed by more than 800 residents, claims his comments reflect political bias.

“This type of public commentary is unacceptable from the President of the board. His role is to represent ALL Unit 5 parents and taxpayers regardless of our political and faith beliefs,” the petition states.

The McLean County Republican Party also responded to the posts.

"Unit 5 School Board President, Alex Williams, has insulted a vast majority of his student body and their families," the group said on Facebook. "As a public leader, he should not resort to such tactics. This post distorts, mischaracterizes, and lies about conservative Americans across this nation. Mr. Williams needs to publicly apologize to the families of Unit 5 and to conservative voters across this county."

Williams has not commented publicly on the matter.

“There are people who are very suspicious of the political leanings of the school board, and they think board members shouldn't be expressing their political views so strongly, especially considering someone was assassinated,” Erickson said.

Erickson said the two incidents have raised broader concerns in the community.

“That, coupled with this, has people wondering what’s going on at Unit Five,” he said. “If I'm not a leftist, am I not allowed to go there?”

As of publication, neither Superintendent Kristen Weikle nor other members of the McLean County Unit District No. 5 school board have issued statements regarding the controversy.

The district has also faced criticism over academic performance. According to Wirepoints data from 2023, only 31% of students read at grade level, and 29% meet math standards. Achievement levels among Black and Hispanic students were reported as significantly lower.

The next McLean County Unit District No. 5 school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Normal West High School, 501 N. Parkside Road, Normal.