Teacher convicted of sexual assault can keep pension

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (AP) - A Chicago-area teacher who avoided jail time for his conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in New Hampshire nearly 45 years ago will be able to keep his pension.

Arthur Peekel, 75, of Palatine pleaded guilty to the sexual assault in a plea deal earlier this month, The Daily Herald (https://bit.ly/2qGj2N9 ) reported. His yearlong jail sentence was suspended as part of the deal, but he must pay a $1,200 fine and register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

Teachers’ Retirement System spokesman Dave Urbanek said Peekel can retain his pension of nearly $76,400 a year because the charges against him were misdemeanors.

“When dealing with member benefits, we only deal with what is, and the records indicate he was convicted of misdemeanors,” Urbanek said. “And under the law, you need a felony conviction for his pension to be withdrawn.”

Peekel was an admissions officer at New Hampshire’s Phillips Exeter Academy in 1973 when prosecutors say he assaulted a prospective student. He then left to teach in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 hired Peekel in 1986, and he taught social studies at Rolling Meadows High School until he retired in 2004. Peekel has nearly 24 years of total service credit, which also includes some employment at Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

Peekel won the 1991-92 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award, but officials say the Illinois State Board of Education plans to take it away.

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Information from: Daily Herald, https://www.dailyherald.com