Around 200 students at West Chicago Community High School participated in the “Walkout” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest, which occurred nationwide, on Jan. 30. The protest was posted on social media, encouraging students and staff to participate in a peaceful walkout at 12:30 p.m.
This protest became the talk in the halls on Friday morning. The student body felt the pull to come together and protest their rights.
At 9 a.m., Superintendent Kurt Johansen sent out a pre-action email to students and parents.
Dear District 94 Students and Families,
We have been informed that a student-led walkout is being planned throughout the country today, Friday, January 30 at approximately 12:30 p.m. While we have not received any information that our students plan on participating, I felt it was important to provide you with the following information.
Our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for all students, while respecting the constitutional rights of students to peacefully protest. Students choosing to walk out of school during school hours have been encouraged to achieve their goals in the safest and least disruptive way. When students leave campus, we cannot ensure their safety, nor will staff follow students off-campus. We are cooperating with our local law enforcement to share what we know about plans around this student-led walkout to ensure they are aware of the potential activity within the community.
Students will not be disciplined for engaging in peaceful civil protests that do not interfere with the learning environment; however, leaving class or school unexcused is a violation of school rules and can result in disciplinary action. Our discipline is consistent and assigned individually to students, depending on past infractions and as outlined in the student handbook.
Thank you for your support in maintaining a caring and safe environment for all our students.
Dr. Kurt Johansen
Superintendent
When asked what “disciplinary action” could take place, he explained that the normal consequences for missing a class period without being excused will still take place due to being outlined in the student code.
“It has nothing to do with the protest in itself. It has to do more with attendance,” Johansen said.
A student-run Instagram account posted a poll asking WEGO students if they will be participating in the walkout. 77% of responders said “Yes I will be there.” Following that post were many updates, including the reminders, and to meet after sixth period in the commons.
Students lined up in front of the cafeteria doors, awaiting their decision to walkout. Until eventually marching the school hallways to make their way to Door 1, where they ultimately walked out of the building.
“It really makes me feel proud and safe in this community. I’m glad we see so many people like me walk out for the same idea as you. None of us really messed with ICE,” John Benitez, senior at WCCHS, said.
WEGO students are proud of the action their community has taken against this issue.
“It means a lot to me, especially because my parents are Hispanics, and especially for all the families who can’t go out and defend themselves, we could use this as a way to like, motivate others to continue like pressing the problem, because if we don’t do anything about it, they’re just gonna keep taking advantage of it,” Ulises Vega, junior at WCCHS, said.
On the other hand, some WEGO students did not support the walkout occurring. According to some, it was “used to skip school,” or “not the time to protest during a school day.” Those students who felt strongly on the opposing side decided to stay at WCCHS and attend their classes, although some decided to watch the walkout until it left the building.
The walk led outside the front of the school and then headed towards Downtown West Chicago.
“I graduated from this high school in 1996. I am so incredibly proud of the movement of the students, the voice of the students. I was told earlier that maybe one or two students were gonna walk out. Look around. This doesn’t look like just one or two students,” Karina Villa, Illinois State Senator of Senate District 25, said.
While this protest was posted nationwide, many did not believe the students of WEGO would participate. However, the Wildcat student body showed otherwise.
At 2:07 p.m. Johansen, sent out a follow-up email to students and parents.
Dear District 94 Students and Families,
I am writing to provide a brief follow-up regarding the student-led walkout that occurred today, Friday, January 30.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., nearly 200 students chose to leave class to participate in a student-led walkout. School administrators and staff monitored activity on school grounds to support student safety and maintain an orderly environment. Staff did not accompany students off campus during this demonstration.
As shared earlier today, our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for all students while respecting their constitutional right to peacefully express themselves. I am proud of the way our students organized and comported themselves during this demonstration. Most of the students who chose to leave campus did not return to the building and the school day has continued without disruption.
We appreciate the cooperation of our students and the support of our families as we work together to maintain a caring and respectful learning environment.
Dr. Kurt Johansen
Superintendent
“I give them a lot of credit for organizing [this]. I mean, as a young person, even as an older person like me, you’ve got to find something to believe in, right?” Johansen said. “There’s nothing wrong with exercising your rights.”
This peaceful protest was supported by not only our students and staff, but also parents and other members of the West Chicago community.
“Do not let your voices be divided, because we are all together. I’m proud of you all,” Villa said.
Correction
Jan. 30 2026
This article was updated to fix small grammatical and spelling errors.