Onetime Chicago youth pastor accused of sex abuse appears in photo at children's art studio
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two women recently told their stories of sexual abuse by a man who served as their youth pastor years ago – and now they say the same man was recently spotted at a newly-opened art studio for children in Lincoln Square.
The women are asking the City of Chicago to do something.
"His wife just opened up a children's play space, art space business," said Ellen Kim.
John Kim, the man who called himself youth pastor at the Salvation Army Mayfair Community Church years ago, is now a convicted felon for aggravated battery. A photo also appears to show him at the Bunny Ears Art House, at 4541 N. Lincoln Ave. in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.
His wife, Lois Song, was the co-owner.
"For her to open a business, that in turn tells us that you are still willing to have him around you – and you're around children," said Ellen Kim.
Ellen Kim – who is not related to John Kim – and Catherine Park told CBS 2 their stories of sexual abuse as minors that went on for years. They say John Kim was the perpetrator.
Catherine was 13 when she met John Kim. Ellen was 7.
"He would offer to give us a ride, and then whomever that sits in the passenger seat, we just knew, like, OK, he's going to touch me," said Park.
Years later, Park confronted John Kim by email. He apologized, writing, "I want to completely own my actions in the past and say I was wrong."
In January of last year, John Kim was charged with three counts of criminal sexual abuse of a minor. In February of this year, he took a plea deal.
Kim was sentenced to two years' probation, and was ordered to complete a sex offender evaluation program. In turn, the aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges were dismissed – but Kim did plead guilty to battery.
He did not have to register as a sex offender.
"Our goal from the beginning was to get him on the sex offender list, because that is the only legal safeguard that would have protected us growing up," said Ellen Kim.
So seeing John Kim in the photo at the newly-opened children's art space – and learning that the business received a $183,439 community development taxpayer-funded grant from the city – has the women's blood boiling.
The women reached out to the office of Ald. Matt Martin (47th), and so did CBS 2. It now turns out the city is looking into the business application to see if there were any failures in issuing the grant.
Martin released the following statement:
"As a parent in our community, I am deeply alarmed by the recently revealed charges and conviction of John Kim, including his potential affiliation with a business that primarily serves children. At my request, the Departments of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection and Planning & Development are prioritizing a thorough review of the business' license and application for City resources to determine what action that the City may be empowered to take here."
"Are there any safeguards to protect those children?" said Ellen Kim. "Legally speaking, no, because he was not put on a sex offender list."
A city source told CBS 2 the city is prioritizing a thorough review of the business' license.
Meanwhile late Wednesday afternoon, the city's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection – which handles licensing – said as part of its application, Bunny Ears Art House claimed only its owners would be present with children during programming:
"Bunny Ears Art House, located at 4541 N. Lincoln Ave., has a current active business license.
"The Municipal Code of Chicago (MCC) requires that no owner, manager, or employee at a facility with a Children's Services Facility License have a criminal history (felonies and other crimes specified in the Code).
"As part of the application, the business attested that only the three owners would be managers/on site with the children.
"The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) conducted a criminal background check of the owners of this entity, which was approved.
"The licensee is responsible for conducting criminal background checks on their managers and employees (see MCC 4-75-110).
"BACP has not received any complaints regarding the business."
CBS 2 also reached out to the owners of Bunny Ears Art House, and did not receive a response in time for our original report. A few days after our report, owners Jinny Choi and Zak Patterson wrote, in part, to CBS2:
"We're shocked to learn about Kim's record as well and have taken swift action to address safety concerns. First, Lois Song is no longer an owner or working at Bunny Ears Art House in any capacity. Second, we are taking several measure to make sure that Bunny Ears Art House is a safe space for the community. What we are doing is outlined here: www.bunnyearsart.com/safety"
They explained why Kim was present at the Art House previously:
"The event that John Kim is pictured in on May 4th was at our Grand Opening where we allowed members of the public to tour the space over a 30 minute time period. It was a public event that we worked on with the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce. Katie Kraus, VP of the Chamber, Alderman Matt Martin of the 47th Ward as well as Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynh were all present for the event as well as members of the public. It was not a class for children and any children present were accompanied by their parents.
"John Kim is not affiliated with Bunny Ears Art House in any way. He is not and was never an owner or employee. He has had no role at Bunny Ears Art House."
CBS 2 has analyzed documents confirming Lois Song's termination.