'100% False': Old Elmhurst Preschool Defends Itself

ELMHURST, IL – The owner of a now-defunct Elmhurst preschool has called the federal government's allegations that she mishandled employee health insurance and retirement contributions "100 percent false."

"It seems as if you have a personal vendetta against me, and I do not know why," owner Colleen Odegaard said in a text message to Patch. She urged Patch not to write a story.

On Friday, Patch reported on the U.S. Department of Labor's lawsuit against Odegaard and the old Elmhurst Academy for Early Learning.

The lawsuit alleged that Odegaard continued to collect employees' health insurance contributions in 2021 after the insurer canceled the plan.

The federal government also said Odegaard spent employees' contributions to their independent retirement accounts on business operations.

Odegaard, a Wayne resident, took issue with the government's allegations.

"The Simple IRA contributions were to be made to my personal account in Colleen Odegaard’s name," Odegaard said. "The school chose not to fund me personally. Nothing to do with employees."

The lawsuit repeatedly referred to "employees" in the plural form.

Odegaard said the case has been "worked out" and "an explanation has been given to them." She said she wanted to know where Patch was getting its information.

According to federal court records, the case is active. Odegaard, who is representing herself, submitted a response to the lawsuit March 17, more than four months after it was filed.

The school, which closed in 2021, was founded in 1981. It was at 212 W. Lake St.

In an interview last year, Odegaard said the school was suffering from staffing shortages and delayed payments from the state government.

A new preschool called Fia Mia Academy is set to open in the building. Fia Mia said it has no affiliation with the previous ownership.