Bannockburn mayor resigns amid sexual abuse allegations

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. (WLS) -- James Barkemeyer abruptly resigned as village president in Bannockburn amid allegations he sexually abused minors in the early 1990's.

Two former part-time teenage employees have told police they were abused by James Barkemeyer in the early 1990's before the 57-year-old became a Bannockburn village trustee and mayor. The alleged sexual abuse took place at this Wilmette hardware store. Linden Hardware has been owned by the Barkemeyer family for over 40 years.

The investigation began last spring when a victim, now 36-years-old, walked into the Wilmette police station to tell his story. According to a heavily redacted police report, the victim says Barkemeyer molested him for a period of four years beginning when he was 14. As part of the investigation, detectives located and interviewed several former teenage employees. One other person came forward and said Barkemeyer sexually abused him when he was a teenager.

Most of the incidents allegedly took place at the hardware store after it closed. The police report says Barkemeyer did not deny the allegations; he admitted to abusing the two boys, but no one else.

Barkemeyer remains a co-owner of Linden Hardware. Late last week, Barkemeyer resigned as mayor of Bannockburn. Police say he will not be charged because the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution has expired.