Joliet Teacher Charged In Wife's Beating Death Posts Bail

JOLIET, IL - The Joliet Washington Junior High School teacher who has been charged with murdering his wife earlier this month has been released from the custody of the Will County Jail. Jail logs indicate that on Thursday night murder defendant Michael Kazecki, 38, posted 10 percent of his $2 million bail in connection with the Aug. 7 death of his 38-year-old wife Rebecca Kazecki.

Michael Kazecki was arrested by Joliet Police Department detectives and booked into county detention on the evening of Aug. 7. Jail logs show that around 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, he was set free after spending less than four weeks in custody.

He has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder.

On Friday, Joliet Public School District 86 director of communications Sandy Zalewski told Joliet Patch that Michael Kazecki currently remains on paid administrative leave and that he will not be returning to teach at Washington Junior High School in light of release from jail.

"Michael Kazecki will not be allowed on District 86 property during the police investigation," she said. "The safety and security of our students and our staff will remain our top priority as we will continue to cooperate with the Joliet Police Department."

Earlier this month, the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow implored Will County Associate Judge Ben Braun to set bail at $5 million for the defendant, given the nature of the violent crime. Prosecutors say that Michael Kazecki beat his wife to death at the family's house in the 700 block of McDonough Street, over the course of three days.

However, Judge Braun opted to set a much lower bail, $2 million. He then informed the defendant that Kazecki, a veteran District 86 public school teacher, needed to come up with $200,000 cash to post bond.

Braun, a Republican who has served as an associate judge, is running for an open circuit court judge position in this November's general election against Associate Judge David Garcia, a Democrat.

Kazecki is being represented by the private criminal defense firm of Edward R. Jaquays, a long-time Joliet attorney.

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Mugshot of Michael Kazecki via Will County Sheriff