Skokie High School Teacher Accused Of Making Girl, 17, Strip
UPDATED 02/15/12 9:13 a.m.
BENSENVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- A teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie has resigned after being charged with sexual misconduct.
As WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, Jeffrey Tackes, 30, of Bensenville had been a math teacher and head coach of the varsity cheerleading team at the school, at 9800 Lawler Ave. in Skokie. He stands charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports
Podcast
The Daily Herald reports the charges came after a girl, then 17, accused Tackes of coercing her to strip naked for him.
The young woman came to the Bensenville police station on Monday to report the alleged incident that happened in December 2010, the Daily Herald reported. Police told the newspaper she had an 18-month window to report the alleged crime.
Niles North suspended Tackes from his teaching and coaching positions until the matter is resolved, a statement from School District 219 said.
The school is working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Skokie police and Bensenville police, and has been in contact with students who might have any relevant information and their parents, according to the statement.
"We take all allegations of this type very seriously, and we have been in communication with students who might have any relevant information, as well as their parents," Niles North Principal Dr. Ryan McTague said in the statement. "Our number one priority is the safety and security of our students, and our student services team members are ready to respond to any level of student need."
Bensenville police tell the Daily Herald they have no other complaints against Tackes.
It is not clear whether the girl he allegedly exploited is, or was, a student at Niles North.
Tackes is also affiliated with Cheer Illinois Athletics, a cheerleading training facility in Bensenville, according to a police news release. A representative for the facility could not be reached by the Sun-Times Media Wire for comment Wednesday morning.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
