Dueling petitions in the north suburbs are sparking a debate over whether a school district should or shouldn't permanently honor Charlie Kirk.

The conservative activist graduated Wheeling High School in 2012 and started his Turning Point USA organization soon after.

Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 during one of his events at Utah Valley University.

His death prompted adults in the north suburbs to start an online petition calling for Township High School District 214 to honor Kirk with recognition as a notable alumnus, approve Turning Point USA chapters at its schools and establish a district-wide day of honor for Kirk. An opposing petition started soon after.

The debate jumped from the online space to the District 214 Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

A few dozen people attended the meeting, though the district had prepared an overflow room and called in extra security expecting many more to attend.

The issue at hand was dueling petitions circulating online – one calling for the district to honor Kirk, and the other opposing such an effort.

The petition, organized by area adults, requests honorary plaques at Wheeling High School — of which Kirk was a graduate in 2012. The petition also asks for expedited approval for any chapters at district schools of Turning Point USA, the conservative organization Kirk founded, as well as a district-wide day of honor for Kirk that could include school assemblies.

"You can't argue that he's not a distinguished alumni, when the NFL has a moment of silence for him, the Chicago Cubs do a thing of mourning for him, they're chanting his name in London, Korea had a thing for him. Like, are they all wrong?" said Amy Osterman, who supports the petition for Kirk. "I'm actually shocked that there's not more people signing it."

At the District 214 school board meeting, Kirk's supporters pushed to have him honored permanently.

"Charlie Kirk showed his passion for free speech and dialogue while he was a student in District 214," Cassie Kearney said. "He welcomed all voices. It didn't matter your sex, your gender, your religion, or your race. He welcomed all to have a dialogue."

A Wheeling High School sophomore named Daniel was among those urging the district to recognize Kirk as a distinguished alumnus, and to build a memorial to him.

"Most importantly, let's recognize the right of many people in America to free speech," he said.

The effort to honor Kirk was prompted by an online petition started by area adults, and sparked an opposing petition that argues Kirk was a divisive figure, stating in part, "While his achievements are notable to some, honoring him at this level would send a message to many students, families, and staff — especially those who have been targeted or alienated by Kirk's rhetoric — that their concerns and lived experiences are secondary."

Jennifer Abonce-Alcantar, who has a child at Wheeling High School, said during Thursday's school board meeting, "While this individual's career is noteworthy to some, it is also deeply polarizing."

Some parents of the district said honoring Kirk in such a way would be divisive.

"Recognition of alumni should celebrate achievements that unify and inspire all students, not ones that risk alienating significant portions of our community," Abonce-Alcantar said. 

"I cannot support my daughter's school system honoring a man who spread such regressive, sexist, and harmful messages," Fay Costa said.

The petitions were not formally being considered in the meeting's agenda.

The district sent CBS News Chicago a statement saying it was aware of the petitions.

The statement said the district was not aware of any current or previous Turning Point USA chapters within its schools. Anyone wanting to start a chapter would have to go through the district's typical process for non-school sponsored groups.

Addressing the call for honoring Kirk as a notable alumnus, the district said in its statement each school has a different process for 'Distinguished Alumni'.

"The district is currently updating the process to nominate and consider candidates for the award to align with the Future 214 Strategic Plan that was approved in April 2025," the statement reads. "This will ensure the district has a uniform nominating process and each school evaluates nominees using the same criteria."

The district said the updated process is expected to be ready by January 2026.

People at the meeting also brought up concerns of previous recognition of Kirk inside Wheeling High School being removed, with some alleging it was due to Kirk's political stances.

The district sought to clarify the issue in its statement saying Kirk was not previously named a 'Distinguished Alumni' from Wheeling High School.

"From 2005 - 2020, there was a "Where Are They Now" campaign that included his picture with numerous other alumni to highlight the district's career pathways program," the statement said. "The photos were on foam boards and had deteriorated over time. That program ended when the district underwent a full rebranding campaign, and all alumni photos were removed."

The district said while it extends condolences for the loss of Kirk, it will not hold a district-wide memorial for Kirk as it, "would disrupt the learning environment at our schools."

Here's District 214's full statement:

We are aware of the two Change.org petitions related to Charlie Kirk's passing and actions District 214 should or should not take.

We are not aware of any current or previous Turning Point USA Chapters in the school district. Turning Point USA would need to follow our policies and procedures related to non-school sponsored groups, which state that groups that "advocate particular religious, political, or philosophical beliefs or ideas" are non-school sponsored groups. These groups have equal access to district facilities, but District 214 does not provide funding, does not promote or participate in group meetings or events, and does not support the activities of these groups in any way. Additionally, non-school sponsored groups must have a volunteer "monitor" who is an employee of the district. Monitors are not compensated for their time with the group and must attend group meetings for supervisory purposes but cannot participate in the group's activities.

Each school has a different process for Distinguished Alumni. Not every school recognizes alumni each year.  The current process typically includes completing a nomination form which is reviewed by a school-level committee. We recently updated our administrative procedures that align with Board policy regarding namings, and have not updated the process or procedures for Distinguished Alumni Awards at our schools.

The district is currently updating the process to nominate and consider candidates for the award to align with the Future 214 Strategic Plan that was approved in April 2025. This will ensure the district has a uniform nominating process and each school evaluates nominees using the same criteria. We anticipate the nominating and consideration process will be finalized by January 2026 and the next round of Distinguished Alumni awards will be announced in the 2026/2027 school year.

The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni award is to recognize and honor District 214 graduates who have made significant and noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors to mankind.

Charlie Kirk was not previously named a Distinguished Alumni from Wheeling High School. From 2005 - 2020, there was a "Where Are They Now" campaign that included his picture with numerous other alumni to highlight the district's career pathways program. The photos were on foam boards and had deteriorated over time. That program ended when the district underwent a full rebranding campaign, and all alumni photos were removed.

While we continue to extend our deepest condolences to Charlie Kirk's family and friends for this terrible and senseless loss, we will not hold a district-wide memorial as that would disrupt the learning environment at our schools. Instead, we encourage students, faculty, staff, and families to mourn and remember Charlie Kirk together at one of the many public services and vigils that are being organized throughout the community.

Kirk to be laid to rest on Sunday

Kirk's funeral is set for Sunday morning. His casket was flown to Arizona, where his family lives, on Air Force Two, with Vice President JD Vance accompanying it. Mr. Trump previously said he will attend the service. Mr. Trump also recently said he would posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, was arrested late last week and is being held without bail. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and other related crimes. Authorities say Robinson confessed to the killing in a series of text messages. Utah officials have said they intend to seek the death penalty. 

Meanwhile, Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has been named chief executive officer of Turning Point USA — which has a presence on 3,500 campuses in the United States, according to its website.