Round Lake High teacher, Millburn school board member under criminal investigation

A Round Lake High School English teacher is on leave and the subject of a criminal investigation stemming from an allegation made against him in early January, but school and police officials are not disclosing the nature of the accusation.

Round Lake Police Chief David Prus said the complaint against Peter Pettorini was brought to the department, which then informed Round Lake Area School District 116 officials. But Prus declined to comment on the substance of the complaint.

Pettorini declined to comment Wednesday.

"Thank you for contacting me," he wrote in an email. "I have no comment at this time."

District 116 Superintendent Donn Mendoza informed the school community about the investigation in a letter Monday. He said he wrote the letter because many have asked why Pettorini is on leave.

"It is important that RLAS-116 allows the Village of Round Lake to complete their investigation without disruption," Mendoza said. "Due to confidentiality concerns, we will not make further comments on this matter until the investigation has concluded."

Prus said Wednesday he expects the investigation to be completed in the next four to six weeks.

"The investigation is still ongoing; further information regarding the nature and disposition will be available in the near future," he said.

Pettorini, a Lindenhurst resident, is active in local politics. He serves as a member of the Millburn District 24 school board and is the president of the Lake Villa Township Republican Club, according to the group's website.

Last fall, he ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the Illinois House 61st District seat held by state Rep. Joyce Mason, a Gurnee Democrat.