Community rallies to force removal of Proud Boys billboard in southern Illinois county

Clinton County residents pushed back against a Proud Boys billboard, leading Lamar Advertising to remove the sign near Central High School.

Packed Clinton County Board Meeting

Photo: Molly Parker/CNI

Nearly 70 people packed a Clinton County Board meeting Monday night to oppose a Proud Boys ad on a billboard near Central Community High School.
by Molly Parker
Capitol News Illinois
BREESE - After strong community opposition, including a county board meeting where dozens of people spoke against it, the Proud Boys billboard that was put up near a high school in Clinton County was removed Tuesday.

A representative from Lamar Advertising’s Collinsville office said the sign was taken down around noon. The company declined further comment.

Clinton County Board Chairman Brad Knolhoff said the county had no legal authority to regulate the billboard’s content, but he and many others contacted the company, expressing their outrage.

The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate or extremist group by multiple organizations and was tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

“I would say the fact that so many people were reaching out played a large factor” in the decision, he said. “I’m very pleased that the billboard is down because of the animosity it was causing and the angst in the community. It’s not healthy for the community.” The billboard, up only a few days, was located at Old U.S. Route 50 and St. Rose Road, about 1,000 feet from the entrance to Central Community High School. It listed a local recruiting phone number, but calls went to a voicemail that was full.

Worker takes down Proud Boy sign near Breese, IL
Photo: Molly Parker/CNI

A Lamar Advertising representative on Monday moves an ad for the far- right extremist group Proud Boys; the sign was taken down entirely around noon Tuesday.

The Proud Boys have been labeled a hate or extremist group by multiple organizations and was tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, though the group has been quieter in recent years. Lamar Advertising declined to say who purchased the billboard. At Monday night’s board meeting, about 70 people attended and more than 30 spoke during public comment, a turnout far larger than usual.

Former judge and state’s attorney Dennis Middendorff reminded the crowd this was not the first time Clinton County had faced such a test. In the 1980s, he recalled, the KKK received a permit to rally at nearby Carlyle Lake.

“I didn’t want to give” the legal advice at the time, he said, but under the First Amendment, they had the right to assemble. Even so, Middendorff told the board Monday night this moment was still an opportunity: “You don’t have to take action to try and stop it. Maybe you can’t stop it, but you can condemn it, and that’s what I’m really asking you to do.”

One by one — teachers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, parents, students — went to the microphone. Most said the same thing: We don’t want it here.

I know that most of us are amazing people who actually believe in family and faith and community.

Gene Hemingway, who is Black, said the billboard only made visible what was already simmering. “I heard some years ago, they’re dropping the robes and they’re putting on suits,” he said. “I’m not scared, but I am very aware. Because I know the primary purpose is to eradicate people of my color, the LGBTQ community, anything other than white.”

Naomi Knapp, a recent graduate of Central Community High School, said she was disappointed but not surprised.

“I don’t think a lot of people in this county actually believe the things that people like the Proud Boys are saying,” she said. “But I did hear it in my high school. I did hear racial slurs. … And I can’t even imagine any person of color having to honestly live here. And that’s devastating, because I know that most of us are amazing people who actually believe in family and faith and community.”

At the conclusion of public comments, board member Greg Riechman said he appreciated the concerns raised and thanked the residents for “speaking from their hearts.” He then introduced a nonbinding resolution condemning “hatred, bigotry, divisiveness or racism of any kind,” which passed unanimously.

Though the billboard did not include much content beyond a phone number, logo and website for the Proud Boys, many objected to it being an obvious recruiting tool that was placed near the high school.

Knolhoff said he hopes the county can move forward, but added, “We will remain vigilant.”


Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Clinton County Proud Boys billboard removal, Community opposition to extremist group signs, Lamar Advertising billboard controversy Illinois, Proud Boys recruiting billboard near high school, Clinton County board resolution against hate
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Back to school |
Managing food allergies at school: A guide for parents and teachers

Food allergies affect millions of school-age children. About 1 in 13 U.S. children has a food allergy. Here's how parents and schools can work together to keep students safe.
Burger and fries for lunch at school
Photo: Michael Moloney/Unsplash

Some children may eventually outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, or soy. Until then, parents should work with teachers and lunchroom staff to avoid their child's contact with food items that could trigger an allergic reaction.


URBANA - For millions of families, sending a child to school involves more than preparing lunches and packing backpacks. For those managing food allergies, it means navigating daily risks that can have life-threatening consequences.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as dangerous. When a child eats—or in some cases simply touches—the allergen, the body releases chemicals like histamine to fight back. This reaction can lead to a range of symptoms, from hives, itching, and stomach pain to swelling of the lips and throat or difficulty breathing. The most severe cases can cause anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish are among the most common culprits. Some children may eventually outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, or soy, but allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish usually persist into adulthood.

Parents should also provide emergency medication, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, along with a doctor-signed action plan that guides staff in the event of a reaction.

Statistically, food allergies touch nearly every classroom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 13 children in the United States—roughly two students per classroom—live with a food allergy. Data from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that prevalence is highest among preschool children, with about 9% affected, and remains around 8% for children ages 6–13. By 2021, about 4 million U.S. children had diagnosed food allergies, including nearly 8% of school-age youth. Rates vary across populations, with 7.6% of non-Hispanic Black children and 5.3% of non-Hispanic White children affected.

While prevalence is somewhat lower in Europe—1–4% by confirmed testing—self-reported rates can reach as high as 14%, reflecting how often allergies are misunderstood or misreported.

For parents, managing these risks at school means preparation and collaboration. Experts recommend starting with a formal health plan, such as a 504 Plan or Individual Health Plan, which clearly outlines how staff will prevent exposure and respond to emergencies. Meeting with teachers, school nurses, and cafeteria staff before the school year begins ensures everyone understands the child’s needs.

Parents should also provide emergency medication, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, along with a doctor-signed action plan that guides staff in the event of a reaction. At home, children can be taught essential habits: not sharing food, washing hands before meals, recognizing the signs of a reaction, and notifying an adult immediately.

Hot dog and Fritos for lunch
Photo: Joshua Hoehne/Unsplash

Checking cafeteria menus or sending meals from home can help reduce exposure to foods that may trigger a child's allergic response.

Classroom and lunchroom planning play a role as well. Checking cafeteria menus or sending meals from home helps reduce exposure. Teachers can also support inclusion by avoiding food-based rewards, replacing them with safe alternatives that allow all students to participate.

Food allergies may be complex, but with strong communication, medical readiness, and a culture of awareness, schools and families can work together to create safe, supportive environments for every child.

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    • Tags: How to manage food allergies in school settings, Food allergy safety plans for students, Best practices for parents of children with food allergies, Classroom strategies for food allergy prevention, Working with schools on child food allergy management
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