Substitute Teacher Arrested for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault

Jan 28, 2016Press Release

A substitute teacher at La Grange Highlands Elementary School has been charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.

Joseph GURZEJK

On Jan. 25 Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded to a report that a substitute teacher inappropriately touched a female student that day after class. The teacher was identified as Joseph Gurzejk, 56, of Westchester. He had worked at the school as substitute teacher since 2004.

Cook County Sheriff’s Police took Gurzejk into custody on Jan. 26. He was charged on Jan. 27.

Gurzejk is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing today at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Sheriff Dart asks anyone with additional information to call Sheriff’s Police at 708-865-4896.

Sheriff Dart also reminds the public that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.