Blue Island Cop Charged With Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of Child

John Miller | Cook County Sheriff

A 51-year-old Blue Island cop has been accused of preying upon a girl under the age of 13 after an investigation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

John Miller was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. A Cook County Sheriff’s representative said that an investigation began a week ago after someone came to the Blue Island police station and accused the veteran cop of sex crimes. Miller was taken into custody on Nov. 18.

Miller appeared for a bond hearing in Bridgeview on Wednesday, but his attorney requested that the hearing be moved to the Markham Courthouse.

Although the alleged incidents took place in Blue Island, the investigation and arrest was by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

The county sheriff’s office moved the case to Bridgeview, which is in the Fifth Municipal Court District, “to eliminate impropriety,” the Cook County prosecutor argued.

Blue Island cases are heard in the Sixth Municipal Court District in Markham.

“I don’t think law enforcement be making decisions where cases are heard,” argued Miller’s attorney, John Ennis.

Judge Raymond Jagielski told the attorney that when there are matters involving Fifth Municipal District personnel, including police officers, “we would routinely have those matters moved out to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”

Judge Jagielski added that Blue Island police bring cases to Markham. The judge agreed to move the bond hearing to the Markham courthouse “but he could be transferred back to the Fifth District.”

Miller has been placed on paid administrative leave. He has been employed as a police office for the City of the Blue Island Police Department since 2000.

His bond hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in front of Judge Marjorie Laws in Markham.

The Blue Island police officer is currently being held in Cook County Jail.