A Cook County man is suing a Chicago teacher and the city board of education, alleging negligence in a child molestation case dating to the 1970s.
The plaintiff, identified as John Doe 4, filed a lawsuit Aug. 3, in Cook County Circuit Court, against Thomas Hacker, the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools, alleging negligence, civil battery and emotional distress.
According to the complaint, the abuse occurred at John C. Haines Elementary School in 1975 and 1976 when the plaintiff was 11 and in the 6th grade. The suit says Hacker used his position to molest the plaintiff numerous times at different locations within the school building.
The plaintiff alleges physical and psychological damage resulting from the alleged molestation. The suit further alleges the school board knew Hacker had previous accusations of abuse and allowed him to work with children, concealing these accusations from students’ parents.
The plaintiff seeks a jury trial and damages of more than $50,000. He is represented by attorneys Christopher T. Hurley and Evan M. Smola of Hurley McKenna & Murtz in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015-L-007864.