The Illinois High School Association announced Friday afternoon that it has concluded its investigation into the two incidents of racial harassment between Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor in September.
The IHSA placed Lincoln-Way East on probation for the remainder of the school year. Probation does not actually deny Lincoln-Way East any privileges, but means that any further violations will result in more serious sanctions.
"The incidents may be the subject of future litigation," the IHSA's statement reads. "As a result, the IHSA will have no further comment on these matters at this time, while also reserving the right to reopen its investigation at any time should any new information be revealed."
Homewood-Flossmoor officials say that a coach and members of Lincoln-Way East’s girls cross country team racially taunted the H-F team on Sept. 5 at a meet in Western Springs. H-F provided written statements from three cross-country athletes describing a Lincoln-Way East coach making comments about “running past those monkeys,” and that some of the Lincoln-Way East team began cheering and making “noises that were racist” and “monkey gestures.”
Lincoln-Way investigated the incident and concluded that “neither its staff nor student athletes intended to harass, intimidate or offend any of their competitors or those competitors’ families.
The IHSA says it reviewed the statements of witnesses and other evidence from the meet and was "unable to corroborate any malicious language directed at anyone involved in the meet."
"Lincoln-Way East imposed educational requirements on its coaches as a result, and the IHSA accepted the actions imposed by the school," the statement says.
The incident occurred the morning after Lincoln-Way East students were caught on video racially harassing H-F students at a football game in Flossmoor. Lincoln-Way East acknowledged what happened at the football game and apologized.
"Given the totality of these two situations, the IHSA has placed Lincoln-Way East on probation for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year," the IHSA statement says. "The IHSA also requested that Lincoln-Way East provide greater administrative oversight of students at athletic events moving forward."
At a meeting later in September, the Lincoln-Way School District Board of Education voted unanimously to allow the students involved in the racial harassment incident during the football game on Sept. 4 to withdraw voluntarily from Lincoln-Way East rather than be expelled.
Homewood-Flossmoor has not responded to a request for comment on the IHSA's investigation or decision. Lincoln-Way sent the Sun-Times the following statement:
"Lincoln-Way appreciates the IHSA’s thorough investigation of these incidents. The district remains committed to fostering greater cultural understanding among students and staff and ensuring our schools are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. The Board of Education discussed the district’s next steps at its meeting last night. Additional details are available in the Superintendent’s District Report on the meeting agenda."
