Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that Judge Kenton Skarin has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial an Elmhurst teen accused of carving swastikas into an elementary school’s playground equipment. Christopher Jackson, 18, of the 200 block of Boyd Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Hate Crime – School Property (Class 3 Felony), one count of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Criminal Damage to Property (Class 4 Felony). Jackson’s co-defendant, a seventeen-year-old juvenile also from Elmhurst, is expected to appear at a detention hearing in the near future.

On May 20, 2024, Elmhurst police officers responded to Edison Elementary School located at 246 S. Fair Avenue for a report of criminal damage to property. Upon their arrival, officers observed multiple swastikas and Nazi phrases carved into plastic playground equipment. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Jackson and the juvenile carved the swastikas and phrases into the equipment with a knife. Damage to the playground equipment is estimated at approximately $4,471.36. Jackson was taken into custody on May 20 without incident.

“Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society,” Berlin said. “The allegations against these two defendants, who are both in their teens, are very disturbing. DuPage County is an extremely welcoming community, and we have no tolerance whatsoever for actions such as alleged in this case. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their quick identification and apprehension of the defendants and I thank Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Pingaj as well for his efforts on this case.”

“It is alleged several elementary school children saw the damaging carved symbols on the playground equipment during their school recess and alerted their teacher,” McLean said. “I would like to thank the staff of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 for alerting Elmhurst Police to the incident which allowed our detectives to perform a prompt investigation. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and the members of his office for their legal guidance on this case.”

Jackson’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 17, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Michael Reidy.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.