Janitor Put On Administrative Leave In October, District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse Reveals

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Public School District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse, who is leaving Joliet in the summer of 2027 after more than a decade on the job, issued a statement on Saturday evening addressed to parents at Eisenhower and Keith schools in regard to the child pornography charges filed last week against janitor Jeremy Ledesma. The District 86 employee remains in the Will County Jail following his Will County Sheriff's Office arrest on Thursday.

According to Rouse's statement, Ledesma also worked at Keith elementary, in addition to Eisenhower Academy. He typically worked in the late afternoon and evening shifts, she explained.

"I want to reassure you that Mr. Ledesma passed all required state and FBI criminal background checks prior to being hired by District 86. These checks also notify us if any new criminal convictions occur. No such notifications were provided to the District," Rouse pointed out.

"In October 2025, the District was made aware that Mr. Ledesma was the subject of a police investigation, however, no details regarding the nature of the investigation were shared with the District at that time. Out of an abundance of caution, Mr. Ledesma was immediately removed from all District facilities on October 3, 2025 and placed on leave. He has not returned to any of our schools since that date. At that time, the District did not have information that would have supported additional employment action."

Rouse also wanted everyone to know that "The District did not become aware of the nature of the charges until the indictments were made public on Friday, January 9, 2026. This matter was, and continues to be, a law enforcement investigation and not an investigation being conducted by District 86. While the District will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement, details of an ongoing criminal investigation are not shared with us."

Rouse explained that "the indictments do not allege that any criminal conduct occurred on school property. After reviewing documents filed in the criminal case on January 9, 2026, the District learned that Mr. Ledesma allegedly photographed children at the Eisenhower playground, however, those facts did not form the basis of any criminal charges. These videos are not in possession of the District and are being held by law enforcement.

"Based on the nature of the conduct, its impact on District students, staff, and the community, and its disruption of the educational process, we will take all appropriate and legally permitted employment actions."