CPS teacher charged with stalking after confrontation outside Lightfoot's home
CHICAGO (CBS) – A Chicago Public Schools teacher is facing multiple charges after a confrontation with police outside the home of Mayor Lori Lightfoot last week.
Garrett McLinn, 36, a teacher at Taft High School, is charged with two felony counts of stalking, and six misdemeanor counts including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
According to a complaint filed by Lightfoot, McLinn showed up at the mayor's Logan Square residence four or five times between Wednesday and Thursday.
He was said to be questioning the need for the number of Chicago police officers assigned to protect her. He was asked to leave multiple times but kept returning.
He is due in court on April 6.
The Chicago Teacher's Union said in a statement:
"Our top priority is keeping our students, school community, school personnel, union staff, and leadership safe. Whether that threat comes from outside our community or inside, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Chicago's public schools remain safe, welcoming and thriving.
No matter how high the political temperature gets, we do not condone any act of violence because we know these acts weaken our democracy. Tonight's news should push CPS to create a safety plan for every school in our great city."
A letter by the school's administration was issued to families about the incident:
"We are reaching out to inform you that we recently learned that one of our staff members had been arrested due to a matter that does not involve our school or any members of our school community. This individual has not been currently permitted to work at our school or enter any of our school buildings since earlier this school year, prior to this arrest. While we cannot provide further details for privacy reasons, please know that we are taking this situation extremely seriously. We will continue to follow our diligent safety protocols to ensure the safety of all members of our community. Thank you for your continued support of Taft. Please contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns."
