IN THE NEWS

McHenry student pleads guilty to reduced charge

Northwest Herald, May 20, 2008:
By BRANDON COUTRE -

-->WOODSTOCK – A McHenry high school student charged with a felony for grabbing the breast of a lunch lady during his lunch period in March pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge.

Prosecutors agreed to lower the aggravated battery of a school employee charge against Isaac D. Chambers, 18, to misdemeanor battery.

In exchange for his guilty plea, Chambers was sentenced to two years of supervision, fined $1,000, and ordered to serve 80 hours of public service.

Under the original felony charge, Chambers could have faced a sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted.

“The defendant ... touched her left breast without her permission,” McHenry County assistant state’s attorney Philip Hiscock said. “She felt insulted and provoked by the touching.”

The incident occurred March 14 at McHenry High School East Campus, where Chambers is a senior.

Chambers’ attorney, George Kililis, said Chambers was a good kid who had trouble fitting in socially.

“If anything, the only thing he is lacking is the understanding of social boundaries,” Kililis said. “This is a kid who is going to make us all proud some day.”

The touching wasn’t at all sexual, Kililis said, and Chambers considered the lunch lady a good friend.

Chambers has remained out of custody since his arrest on $20,000 bond.