Former West Chicago elementary school teacher charged with sexually abusing students

A former West Chicago elementary school teacher is facing 11 felonies after being accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with multiple students, authorities announced Friday.

Mario Garcia, 54, of the 2500 block of Looking Glass Court in Aurora, is charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and four counts of aggravated battery.

According to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office, the West Chicago Police Department and the DuPage County Children’s Center were notified on May 14 by officials at Currier Elementary School in West Chicago School District 33 about a third-grade teacher at the school.

Following an investigation, authorities allege that Garcia inappropriately touched five students on multiple occasions during the 2025-26 school year.

Garcia was ordered to stay in jail until trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31.