Lawsuit accuses Chicago Public Schools of ignoring report of sexual assault by school security guard

The complaint alleges the abuse continued for years after administrators were warned.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A new lawsuit claims Chicago Public Schools ignored a report that a security guard was sexually assaulting a student. The complaint alleges the abuse continued for years after administrators were warned and that the district failed to follow Illinois mandatory reporting requirements.

Why it matters

This case exposes how institutional silence can protect abusers within the school system. The lawsuit raises concerns about the district's handling of sexual abuse allegations and whether it has adequate safeguards in place to protect students.

The details

The lawsuit alleges a district-employed security guard at Farragut Career Academy groomed and sexually abused a student, identified as Jane Doe, between 2012 and 2015. The guard presented herself as a mentor, communicated privately with the student on Instagram, and later bought her a cellphone to engage in unsupervised contact. The complaint describes sexually explicit messages that escalated into physical abuse, including kissing, groping, oral sex, and sexual assault. The lawsuit also alleges the guard threatened to report Doe's family to ICE to prevent her from speaking out. Attorneys claim the guard's ex-wife reported the inappropriate messages to school administrators, prompting an internal investigation, but CPS did not notify child protection authorities or law enforcement as required.

  • The alleged abuse occurred between 2012 and 2015.
  • The lawsuit was filed on March 10, 2026.

The players

Jane Doe

The student who was allegedly sexually abused by the school security guard.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

The school district accused of ignoring a report of sexual abuse and failing to follow mandatory reporting requirements.

Chicago Board of Education

The governing body of Chicago Public Schools, also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Farragut Career Academy

The high school where the alleged abuse took place.

School security guard

The district-employed security guard accused of sexually abusing the student.

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What they’re saying

“CPS had a clear warning and a clear legal obligation, and failed both. That failure didn't just break the law; it allowed the abuse to continue.”

— Nicholas Wainwright, Attorney (Fox32Chicago.com)

“This case exposes how institutional silence protects abusers. When insiders have access and the district still fails to act, it tells survivors that reporting is unsafe. That silence doesn't protect students. It empowers abusers.”

— Jennifer Cascio, Attorney (Fox32Chicago.com)

“This is just one more instance of a decades-long trend that we have seen within the Chicago Public Schools. The district is warned about sexual abuse, mandatory reporters fail to act, and no meaningful reforms follow. It's a predictable and devastating trend for students and raises questions as to whether the School District has any concern for its students whatsoever.”

— Bryce Hensley, Attorney (Fox32Chicago.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages against the Board of Education, including claims of willful and wanton conduct. Attorneys representing Doe will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday to announce the lawsuit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight and accountability within the Chicago Public Schools system to protect students from sexual abuse. It underscores the importance of mandatory reporting laws and the consequences when school districts fail to act on reports of abuse.