A Message from the Superintendent: Supporting Our Families Amid New Immigration Enforcement Procedures

January 24, 2025

Topic: Updates

Dear CCSD21 families,

At District 21, we are deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all our students and families. 

This week, we received several questions about recent changes in immigration enforcement and their potential impact on public schools in Illinois. The Illinois State Board of Education has provided guidance and resources for public schools and families related to immigration policies, which can be accessed through this link

I want to reassure all parents that our district has clear guidelines in place to protect the safety, privacy, and well-being of our students should immigration officials come to our schools.

Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs Border Protection (CBP) are not permitted to enter our school buildings without a valid warrant signed by a judge, and we will always carefully review and manage any situation that may arise with the guidance of legal counsel to ensure the rights of our students and families are upheld.

As established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe, every child has the right to a free public education, regardless of their background or immigration status. District 21 does not request or collect information about a student’s or their family’s immigration status during the enrollment process.

Student information is safeguarded by federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois School Student Records Act (ISSRA). These laws prohibit the sharing of student records with law enforcement or immigration authorities without proper legal documentation or parental/guardian consent.

Please know that your child’s safety and well-being are always our top priorities. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s principal if you have any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Dr. Michael Connolly
Superintendent