On Monday, Feb. 13, Bensenville police arrested Niles North math teacher and head varsity cheerleading coach Jeff Tackes and charged him with misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child according to police and news reports.
In December 2010, Tackes allegedly coerced a girl then younger than 17-years-old to remove her clothing for sexual gratification, according to police reports. It has not been released whether or not the student was from Niles North. Police have been led to suspect that the incident had occurred in his home with a possible witness present. As of now, Niles North is cooperating with law enforcement and the state’s Department of Children and Family Services as the case is being investigated.
After school administration received the allegations and conducted their own thorough investigation of the accusations, the victim reported the case to local law enforcement. Tackes was arrested later that day, and resigned from District 219 the following day.
Tackes served as assistant coach of the varsity cheerleading team for three years and this was his first year as head coach. Aside from Niles North cheerleading, Tackes was also affiliated with a Bensenville cheerleading training facility called Cheer Illinois Athletics.
Since the arrest, Niles North and the surrounding community have rallied together and created a supportive network. “I feel that we have done all that we could do to support our students and staff members during this difficult time,” principal Dr. Ryan McTague said. “We have been in constant communication with parents and students to keep them well-informed about the current circumstances and continue our primary mission of maintaining a safe and secure environment for all of our students.”
While moving forward, the District and administration believe that they need to restore any confidence shaken in students and parents by continuing to serve, protect, and educate the school community. “After any major incident, we always conduct a comprehensive review of our programs’ policies and procedures in order to ensure the safety and security of our students,” McTague said. “Having this issue spotlighted in the public media does not reflect well on our institution or profession. However, I strongly believe that the alleged actions of one do not define the whole. Nor [do they] diminish the shared commitment and sacrifice of our staff members who give so much of themselves here on the behalf of our students and parents every single day.”
Tackes’ next status hearing is set for April 24.
Ayana Jamal co-wrote this story.
