Jeremy Hylka Arrested By Joliet Police On 2 Felony Charges

JOLIET, IL — Jeremy Hylka, the 44-year-old fired Diocese of Joliet teacher who has been charged with grooming and traveling to meet a child, was booked into the Joliet Police Department's custody around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and released after posting bail.

Hylka brought along enough cash, $10,000, to make sure that he will not have to spend one night in the Will County Jail. His bail was set at $100,000 last month, which means he can go free after posting 10 percent.

For nearly two weeks, Hylka had remained under psychiatric care at the Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital in New Lenox. Court records at the Will County Courthouse indicate that Hylka was threatening to take his own life.

"At approximately 6:30 a.m., Joliet Police Department Detectives were notified by Hylka’s attorney that Hylka would be released from the hospital on today’s date. Detectives traveled to Silver Oaks Hospital in New Lenox and placed Hylka into custody without incident. Hylka was transported to the Joliet Police Department where he was booked and released after posting cash bond," Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English said.

Hylka is being represented in his criminal case by Plainfield attorney JohnPaul Ivec, police have said. Ivec told Joliet Patch Tuesday morning that he did not want to make any comments about Hylka's defense at this time, saying he does not have enough information about the case yet.

Hylka is due to appear in court June 24.

Hylka taught for many years at Joliet Catholic Academy until he resigned from JCA last summer and was hired by Principal Lynne Scheffler at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Lockport. The Diocese announced on Friday night that Scheffler is now on paid suspension in connection with her role in hiring Hylka.