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A former youth volleyball coach in Elgin, Illinois, who is also a current employee of the Illinois State Police, has been charged with criminal sexual assault following allegations that he sexually abused a minor during his time coaching at a local club more than two decades ago.
Arthur D. Weathers, 54, is the First Kill Volleyball Club Elgin Coach Accused of Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois whose arrest has drawn renewed attention to the vulnerability of young athletes in club sports settings. Weathers was arrested on May 19, 2026, and has since been released under court-ordered conditions while his case remains pending.
According to the Kane County State's Attorney, the allegations against Weathers date back to the years between 1999 and 2001, during which time he served as a volleyball coach at First Kill Volleyball Club in Elgin. The alleged victim was 16 years old when the alleged abuse is said to have begun.
The alleged victim came forward and made an official report in August 2025, prompting the investigation that ultimately led to Weathers' arrest.
At the time of his arrest, Weathers was not only a former youth sports coach but also an active employee of a state law enforcement agency. According to investigators, Weathers has been employed as a forensic chemist with the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services since 1998 — the same period during which the alleged abuse is said to have taken place.
The dual role of alleged abuser and law enforcement employee has drawn significant attention to the case, raising questions about the systems in place to protect young athletes from those in positions of trust and authority.
Following his arrest on May 19, 2026, a court ordered Weathers released under certain conditions while his case moves forward. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 15, 2026.
The Kane County State's Attorney's Office is handling the prosecution of the case.
The information above was sourced from abc7chicago.com as of May 26, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a youth sports coach is accused of sexually abusing a minor athlete, families often have far more legal options than they realize. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Illinois sexual abuse attorney Ervin Nevitt about the civil legal avenues that may be available to survivors in cases involving alleged abuse by a coach or youth sports organization employee.
Paul Amess: Ervin, when a youth sports coach is accused of sexually abusing a minor athlete, what civil legal options may survivors and their families have?
Ervin Nevitt: Cases of alleged sexual abuse by a youth sports coach are deeply serious and often involve multiple layers of potential civil liability. Beyond any claims against the individual accused, families may have grounds to pursue civil action against the club or organization that employed the coach. Youth sports organizations have a responsibility to screen, supervise, and protect the minors in their care, and a failure to do so can give rise to significant institutional liability.
Paul Amess: In cases where the alleged abuse occurred many years ago and the survivor is now an adult, is it still possible to pursue civil legal action?
Ervin Nevitt: This is one of the most common questions survivors ask, and the answer is that it depends on the specific circumstances and the applicable laws in the relevant state. Illinois, like many states, has made meaningful updates to its statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases over the years. Survivors who experienced abuse as minors should never assume the window for legal action has permanently closed without first speaking with an experienced attorney who can evaluate their individual situation.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor who spent years not coming forward and is now wondering whether it is too late?
Ervin Nevitt: Coming forward is never easy, and there is no shame in needing time to process what happened. From a legal standpoint, what matters most is that survivors take the step of speaking with an attorney to understand what options may still be available to them. Every case is different, and the only way to know what rights a survivor has is to have those facts evaluated by a legal professional in a confidential, no-cost consultation.
If you or someone you love was allegedly sexually abused by a youth sports coach, club employee, or any person in a position of authority over a minor in Illinois or any other state, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Illinois sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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