Plea deal expected in Grant High School teacher sex abuse case

Lee Filas

The case involving the former Grant High School teacher accused of having sex with a student most likely will be settled with a plea agreement before her scheduled May 2 trial, attorneys said Thursday

Defense attorney Jeff Nutschnig and Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Grindel said a plea deal has been offered to Amber Kraus, 30, of the 1900 block of Hawley Street, Mundelein.

While not commenting on details of the offer, both said a “couple minor issues” must be sorted out before it can be approved in court by Judge James Booras. They expect it to be approved before Kraus’ trial.

Nutschnig would not say whether the offer includes prison time. In court, Grindel said Kraus is amendable to mental health treatment, a prerequisite for a potential sentence of probation.

“We are diligently working to find a resolution to the case,” Nutschnig said outside of court.

Kraus has remained free from jail after posting the required 10 percent of her $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty in December to counts of criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse with a victim under 17.

If found guilty of the most serious charge at trial, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Kraus resigned from Grant in Fox Lake immediately after the allegations of the inappropriate relationship came to light in October. She worked at Grant for eight years before her resignation was approved by the Grant High School District 124 board Oct. 8.

As part of the conditions of her bail, she remains on an overnight curfew, is not allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 and is not allowed to have contact with the victim.

Both sides are due back in court May 1.

Source: dailyherald