Six students from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, will leave the school after the district board unanimously accepted their voluntary withdrawal following an investigation into alleged racial harassment at a September 4 football game against Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education approved the withdrawals Thursday night after administrators recommended expulsion for the students involved. Rather than proceed with formal expulsion hearings, the students’ parents chose to withdraw them from Lincoln-Way East.
The students will also forfeit their student privileges, according to the district and local news reports.
What Happened at the Homewood-Flossmoor Football Game?
The incident occurred during a September 4 varsity football game at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor.
Video recorded from the stands showed Lincoln-Way East students making monkey-like gestures and noises toward Homewood-Flossmoor students. Homewood-Flossmoor officials said the conduct was directed at Black students and characterized it as racist harassment.
The students involved were spectators rather than members of the Lincoln-Way East football team.
Lincoln-Way East officials quickly condemned the behavior and said the students would face disciplinary action.
Principal Toriano Griggs called the conduct “hurtful and completely unacceptable” and said it had no place at Lincoln-Way East or elsewhere.
District Conducted Eight-Day Investigation
Superintendent Scott Tingley said administrators conducted an investigation that lasted eight school days.
The review included:
- Interviews with students and witnesses
- Multiple video recordings and camera angles
- Interviews with the students’ attorneys
- An assessment of each student’s individual involvement
- An opportunity for the students to be heard
Following the investigation, district administrators recommended expulsion for the students determined to have been involved.
The parents subsequently chose voluntary withdrawal rather than continuing through the expulsion process.
“The parents of those students have chosen, however, to voluntarily withdraw their children from Lincoln-Way East High School and forfeit all student privileges,” Tingley said at Thursday’s board meeting.
The board then voted unanimously to accept the withdrawals.
Lincoln-Way East Students Held a Walkout
The football-game incident prompted a response from other Lincoln-Way East students.
On September 9, dozens of students walked out of the school to protest the behavior and show support for students at Homewood-Flossmoor. Students chanted messages including “No place for racism” during the demonstration.
Student organizers said they wanted to make clear that the conduct of the students involved did not represent the broader Lincoln-Way East student body.
An online petition calling for disciplinary action reportedly collected about 1,300 signatures, while more than three dozen students participated in the walkout.
District Says It Is Addressing Broader Concerns
Lincoln-Way officials have also said they are working on broader issues involving inclusion and student support.
Tingley said District 210 has reached out to 28 organizations and individuals that provide training and resources related to areas including restorative justice, equity, inclusion and wellness.
The move comes amid broader discussion within the school community about how racial incidents are addressed and how students can feel safe and supported at school.
Separate Cross-Country Incident Remains Under Investigation
A separate incident involving Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor’s girls’ cross-country teams remains distinct from the football-game case.
Homewood-Flossmoor officials reported that a Lincoln-Way East coach and members of the girls’ cross-country team allegedly made racial comments and gestures during a meet in Western Springs on September 5.
Lincoln-Way East has disputed the allegations. District officials said their initial investigation found that neither the coaching staff nor student-athletes intended to harass, intimidate or offend competitors or their families. The Illinois High School Association is continuing to investigate the matter.
Because that investigation remains ongoing, the two incidents should not be treated as a single disciplinary case.
IHSA Condemns Football-Game Conduct
The Illinois High School Association also responded to the September 4 incident.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said the organization condemned the conduct and emphasized that Illinois high school sports are expected to provide a safe and respectful environment.
The association is working with the schools as the situation develops.
What Happens Next?
The six students will leave Lincoln-Way East following the board’s approval of their voluntary withdrawals.
The decision resolves the district’s disciplinary process for the football-game incident without a formal expulsion hearing. The students’ individual identities and the specific disciplinary findings for each student were not publicly disclosed by the board.
The separate cross-country allegations remain under investigation, while Lincoln-Way officials say they are pursuing additional resources and training related to inclusion and student support.
The case has drawn attention beyond the two schools, but the board’s September 17 vote provides a formal resolution to the disciplinary process stemming from the September 4 football game.
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