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Waukegan board approves personnel action affecting DACA‑recipient employee after extended public comment
Summary
After nearly an hour of public comment urging compassion for a DACA recipient, the Waukegan CUSD 60 Board approved administration personnel recommendations that include suspension/termination of the employee while federal work‑authorization renewal remains pending.
The Waukegan CUSD 60 Board of Education voted June 9 to approve a set of personnel recommendations that included action affecting a long‑time district employee whose work authorization was described at the meeting as pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The decision came after more than a dozen community members and union leaders spoke during the public‑comment period in support of the employee, who several speakers identified as Guadalupe and described as a DACA recipient and longtime district staffer. Linda Una, president of the district professional support staff council, told the board the employee had been given no good legal reason for immediate termination while USCIS processes a renewal and urged the board to grant a leave of absence or other accommodation. Attorney Calman Resnik, speaking for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said the employee applied for renewal on Dec. 12, 2025, and that her employment authorization expired April 24, 2026; he asked the board to extend suspension rather than discharge while adjudication is pending.
Superintendent remarks and board discussion emphasized compliance with federal employment law requiring employees to maintain valid authorization to work. "We must respect employee privacy," the superintendent said during personnel deliberations, and noted the district's obligation to follow federal requirements. Several board members expressed personal sympathy with speakers but said they were legally constrained. The board proceeded to a roll‑call vote on the personnel package; board members recorded as voting yes included Miss Fabian, Mr. McBride, Mr. Riddle and President Rodriguez; Miss Hannah recorded a no vote. The motion carried.
Why it matters: The vote pits district statutory employment obligations against community calls for discretionary protections for individuals caught in federal processing delays. Speakers representing unions and community organizations warned that automatic terminations during prolonged USCIS backlogs can harm households and erode community trust; district leaders said their hands are constrained by federal rules and consistent policy application.
What happened next: The administration said the employee would be eligible to apply for available positions once valid work authorization is restored. Several board members asked administration to pursue clarity on options, including whether a leave or suspension extension could be processed in similar future cases.
A note on names and privacy: Speakers used varying spellings of the employee’s surname during public comment and legal testimony; the board emphasized it would protect the employee’s privacy where required. The attorney who addressed the board identified the employee and provided the renewal‑filing and expiration dates as described above.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the personnel vote.
