RANTOUL, Ill. (WAND) - A staff member has been terminated from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy in Rantoul, and an investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently underway.
According to the Lincoln Challenge Academy website, the Academy is operated by the Illinois National Guard and offers a quasi-military structured educational program for youth aged 15½ to 18 years old in Illinois.
The Illinois National Guard has reported that a former cadet has made allegations against the academy, though specific details of these allegations have not been disclosed.
Additionally, the Illinois National Guard confirmed to WAND News that Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy is fully cooperating with the ongoing DCFS investigation. The staff member was fired for "violating Academy policy" during this investigation.
Both DCFS and the Illinois National Guard stated that no further details will be released at this time, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Major William Grove with the Illinois National Guard said in a statement, "The Academy leadership and staff will continue to make every effort to maintain a safe and healthy environment where our cadets can learn and achieve their goals."
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