Elmhurst Church Financial Theft Inquiry Continues: Police

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst police say they are still investigating a financial theft at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 134 W. Arthur St.

This week, the police department denied Patch's public records request for the theft report, citing the ongoing inquiry.

In May, police reported on the discovery of the theft in their regular blotter. Police said employees contacted them.

In a statement Tuesday, Immaculate Conception's finance director, Tera Sternitzke, said the church became aware of financial irregularities in May. She said police have been investigating since then, adding the church could not comment on specifics because of the inquiry.

She said the church has been in communication with its community members and would share more information with them when it can do so.

The church's finances, Sternitzke said, are separate from those of IC Catholic Prep, an Elmhurst high school that the church sponsors.

"IC Catholic Prep remains on solid financial footing," she said in an email to Patch.

Sternitzke said the church reaffirms its "unwavering commitment to safeguarding and stewarding the resources entrusted to us."

"We take this responsibility seriously and continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds," she said.