Alleged sexual misconduct investigation at Illinois School for the Deaf

Jacksonville, ILL. — A teacher at the Illinois School for the Deaf is currently under investigation by the Illinois State Police (ISP).

Charles Hicks Jr., 52, is at the center of that investigation over alleged sexual contact with students, according to a spokesperson with ISP.

KHQA's sister station, WICS was told the investigation is open and remains ongoing.

According to the State Journal-Register, the investigation into Hicks Jr. began in February of 2018. Hicks Jr. is currently on administrative leave, according to an IDHS spokesperson.

Hicks Jr., a special education teacher at the Illinois School for the Deaf, made around $86,000 last year while employed with the state, according to online state employee salary records.

When WICS looked into his salary, we also found that Hicks Jr. is still being paid while on leave.

Director of Communications Meghan Powers, with the school, issued this statement Monday:

"The safety of our students is our highest priority and we will always do everything in our power to make ISD a safe learning environment. The individual in question will remain on leave for the duration of the investigation."

Powers said administrative leaves are approved for a specific period of time but are able to be extended as needed.

The Illinois Association of the Deaf issued this statement on the investigation:

The Illinois Association of the Deaf's position regarding the Illinois School for the Deaf remains the same. In multiple correspondences to Governor Rauner, we expressed our concerns about Illinois School for the Deaf’s students’ overall safety and welfare. We urge Governor Pritzker and his team to promptly address the overarching issues at the Illinois School for the Deaf, especially as the school is under the Illinois Department of Human Services’ purview.

This isn't the first time Illinois State Police have been involved in an investigation at the Illinois School for the Deaf.

In April of 2018, a porn video involving two of the students at the school was leaked to an adult website, namely PornHub.

After this investigation became public, the Illinois Association of the Deaf sent a letter to then Governor Bruce Rauner among others, which said they are concerned for the welfare and safety of the students as a result of the video being leaked.

This came about a month after a student at the Illinois School for the Deaf died on campus. We were told the incident was not connected to the video release and no foul play was suspected.

We'll bring you more information on this investigation as it becomes available.