JOLIET, IL —On Sunday night, the Joliet Police Department issued an announcement revealing it will host a news conference at noon on Monday to share information about the recent arrest of a former Plainfield School District 202 teacher on multiple charges related to alleged inappropriate conduct.
Speakers at the press conference will include:
• Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans
• Plainfield School District 202 Superintendent Dr. Glenn Wood
Over the weekend, the Joliet Police Department booked Alex Buetikofer, 38, of Lisle into the Kendall C0unty Jail on nine charges including grooming, solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor and aggravated battery. The Plainfield School District 202 website lists Buetikofer as one of its teachers in its most recent total compensation report for the 2025 school year that is publicly available on the District 202 website.
Back in late March, Joliet Patch's editor received the following tip from a news source at Aux Sable Middle School:
"There are multiple allegations involving a first-year gym teacher, Alex Buetikofer, who was reportedly escorted out of the school a few weeks ago following an incident of inappropriate physical contact with a female student. The incident was reported immediately by the student, and he was removed within a short timeframe," the source advised Joliet Patch.
"What is especially alarming is what followed. Around the time of his removal, it is alleged that he requested personal phone numbers from several female students under the pretense of taking 'medical leave.' At least one student provided her number. I have personally seen text messages and a restraining order connected to this situation. In those messages, the student was offered $500 to meet him at a mall, along with an additional $500 to spend. This is not speculation—I have seen this evidence firsthand. The family has since taken legal action to protect their child and gotten a restraining order against him. The student is constantly worried and has anxiety everyday since no arrest has been made yet," Joliet Patch's source indicated.
"Law enforcement is reportedly involved, but there has been no arrest at this time, allegedly pending phone record documentation. Despite the severity of these allegations, there has been no communication from the school to parents," the source's message from March indicated. "There have also been reports from students that this individual attempted to enter the girls’ locker room prior to this incident, which raises even more concern about potential prior behavior.
"In the meantime, the school has increased staff monitoring at entrances, indicating awareness of a serious situation, yet without transparency to families. This individual is also believed to be coaching at another school, raising further concern about continued access to minors."
As for Monday's press conference, the noon press conference will be at Joliet City Hall in the City Council Chamber.
According to Joliet police:
This news conference will be streamed live to the Joliet Police Department Facebook page. Media are encouraged to attend. Additional information will be provided at the conclusion
of the news conference. Please note: Attendance is limited to invited media outlets.
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