There is NO room for racism in the classroom.  

This past weekend, we were informed that Professor Jason Kilborn, who was placed on administrative leave last year, will be returning to UIC Law Spring 2022. Black UIC Law students do not feel safe!

Here is a brief background about the situation:

Last year, an investigation opened up about a tenured professor at UIC Law that repeatedly made racist comments and participated in discriminatory practices both within and outside of the classroom. This is not only about his language choice in a Civil Procedure 2 final exam last year. He has made racial comments in the classroom. He has directly contacted students who felt profiled by him. He has used threats of homicide. He has interviewed on media platforms, alluding to the idea that he has done nothing wrong. 

While UIC Law conducted an investigation into his discriminatory practices, Professor Jason Kilborn was placed on administrative leave. The investigation was prompted by Kilborn's choice to use redacted versions of the n-word and b-word on a Civil Procedure 2 exam. This happens to be the only instance of wrongdoing Kilborn seems to acknowledge. Though reports from the investigation that found him guilty of the discrimination and harassment claims made by students were concluded by the UIC Office of Access and Equity (OAE) on May 28, 2020, students involved, faculty, staff and UIC BLSA are just being notified of the findings and his reinstatement at UIC Law come Spring 2022. 

In 2021, UIC School of Law moved to remove John Marshall from the name due to its historically racial context. In addition, the school has committed to becoming an anti-racist institution, with efforts to integrate relevant curriculum. However, the schools administration's inaction to this issue suggests clearly that this commitment was merely a baseless initiative. It is not enough to just change the name of the school or begin to implement an anti-racist curriculum in the classroom to call us an anti-racist institution. It takes more than that. It takes enforcing a zero tolerance policy for ANY discriminatory conduct. It takes ensuring that Black students and other students of color feel safe, heard, and protected.

Students have expressed their concern and hesitancy about Jason Kilborn's return to school and engaging in academia with his presence. These concerned have been expressed on several occasions. Yet, the school administration has found these concerns to hold little to no weight as their inaction proves. 

The Black Law Student Association calls on Black students and allies to demand the prompt removal of Jason Kilborn from UIC School of Law in addition to a multitude of other relevant demands. We seek a safe, non-hostile, classroom environment.