Jeremy Hylka Criminal Charges Announced by Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department issued a news release Thursday announcing that criminal charges are being filed against Jeremy Hylka on charges of traveling to meet a child and grooming. Bail will be set at $100,000.

As of Friday morning, Hylka had not been arrested by Will County authorities.

"After further investigation by Joliet Police Detectives, the Will County State’s Attorney Office has reviewed charges and a Will County Judge has issued an arrest warrant for Jeremy M. Hylka in the amount of $100,000 for the charges of Traveling to Meet a Child and Grooming. Thank you for the public’s assistance," Joliet police announced.

The reported incident that led to Hylka's arrest took place at the McDonald's fast-food restaurant on Joliet's Jefferson Street earlier this week.

"The Joliet Police Department late this afternoon announced that a Will County judge has issued an arrest warrant for Jeremy M. Hylka on charges of traveling to meet a minor and grooming," Diocese of Joliet director of communications Mary Massingale notified Joliet Patch early Thursday evening. "Upon learning of allegations against Hylka yesterday, Diocese of Joliet officials terminated his employment at St. Joseph Catholic School in Lockport and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, both in Joliet. He is also prohibited from working or volunteering for any diocesan school or parish.

"We urge any individuals who have suspicions of child abuse to notify local law enforcement authorities and diocesan officials. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all children under our care," Massingale continued.

Joliet Catholic Academy issued a statement Thursday night — well after news of the arrest warrant was issued — announcing that it had gone to the Joliet Police Department and the Diocese of Joliet last summer in regard to "online allegations" against Hylka.

The JCA statement indicated that Hylka was put on leave from JCA and that resigned his teaching position.

No criminal charges resulted from that June 2020 incident, and the Diocese of Joliet wound up hiring Hylka as a teacher in Lockport in time for the start of the fall school year.

On Wednesday, the Joliet Police Department announced that it "has been made aware of a video depicting an adult allegedly engaged in inappropriate communication with a minor. Joliet Police Detectives possess this video, and an investigation is currently underway."

Hylka was also responsible for running the Joliet Weather Center. Late Thursday afternoon the Joliet Weather Center announced on Facebook that he is no longer affiliated with providing Joliet area weather forecasts.

Additionally, Joliet Patch reported that the Diocese of Joliet issued a statement announcing that Hylka will not be returning to his positions at St. Joseph Catholic School in Lockport or St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, both in Joliet.

"The Diocese of Joliet received information from various sources concerning alleged inappropriate communications with a purported minor," director of communications Mary Massingale told Patch. "Civil authorities have been notified. The diocese, the school and the parishes remain committed to a safe environment for all children under our care."

Hylka had been a theology teacher for several years at the Joliet Catholic Academy. However, after the 2019-2020 school year, Hylka left JCA and became a teacher in Lockport at St. Joseph's Catholic School.