Black family files civil rights complaint alleging 7 years of racial harassment in Illinois school district
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The parents say their three children faced racial slurs, physical assaults and discriminatory treatment while school officials repeatedly failed to stop the harassment.
A Black family has filed an Illinois civil rights complaint against Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34, alleging their three children endured more than seven years of racial harassment and discrimination from students and staff.
Tiffany and Brian Durlak filed the complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights on behalf of their three children, according to the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, which represents the family.
Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported that the complaint accuses white students of physically assaulting the children and repeatedly using racial slurs. It also alleges school employees treated the Black students differently and failed to respond adequately when the family complained.
The attorneys say the harassment continued for more than seven years in the predominantly white district. The complaint also describes experiences involving other Black students who allegedly faced racial bullying and discriminatory treatment.
The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee said reports from Black students and their families were repeatedly dismissed or ignored. In some instances, the complaint alleges white administrators would not acknowledge certain racial slurs as racial slurs.
Tiffany Durlak said the complaint is about more than what happened to her three children and raises broader concerns about how minority students and families are treated in District 34.
The filing alleges violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act. The family’s attorneys say it is among one of the first complaints brought under the state’s Racism-Free Schools Law.
The law took effect in 2024 and requires school districts to adopt anti-harassment policies, track discrimination complaints, and conduct staff training aimed at preventing race-based discrimination and harassment. It also amended the Illinois Human Rights Act regarding a school’s failure to stop student harassment or discrimination.
District 34 Superintendent Aron Borowiak said the district has received the complaint and will cooperate with the Illinois Department of Human Rights investigation. He said the district takes discrimination and harassment reports seriously but cannot discuss details involving individual students because of privacy laws.
The family’s attorneys say they want District 34 held accountable, existing protections effectively applied, and students, parents, and staff educated about those protections to prevent further harm.