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Niles North teacher from Bensenville faces sexual abuse charge

A high school math teacher faces one misdemeanor count of sexual exploitation of a child after Bensenville police said a victim reported the abuse to them Monday.

Jeffrey L. Tackes, 30, of the 400 block of S. Addison Street in Bensenville, is accused of coercing or persuading a girl younger than 17 to remove her clothing for his sexual arousal or gratification, police said.

Tackes is a math teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie, where he is also a head varsity cheerleading coach. In addition, police said Tackes is a staff member with Cheer Illinois Athletics in Bensenville.

School officials said Tackes resigned from his posts.

A spokesman said the district is not commenting on the charges outside of a prepared statement posted on its website, niles219.org. The statement said district officials are cooperating not only with Bensenville police, but with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Skokie Police Department. “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 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.” Police Chief Frank Kosman said the abuse occurred in December 2010, but the victim came to the police station Monday to report it. Detectives then launched an investigation that led to Tackes's arrest.

Kosman said the victim had an 18-month window to report this type of crime. He said police are not looking into any other accusations.

Tackes is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. March 15 in DuPage County Court.

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