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A school bus driver contracted to transport students in the Rantoul City School District has been arrested on allegations of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child following an investigation by the Rantoul Police Department.
Johnnie C. McClendon Jr., 35, is the Rantoul City Schools First Student Bus Driver Accused of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois who was taken into custody on May 28, 2026, without incident. McClendon is employed by First Student Inc., the private transportation company contracted to provide bus services for the district. The Rantoul Police Department stated that at the time of reporting, investigators had received no allegations of misconduct related to his employment and that the investigation appears to involve matters unrelated to his role with the company. Court records had not been updated to reflect formal charges from the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office as of the time of reporting. McClendon remained in custody following his initial court appearance.
Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods confirmed that district officials were notified of the arrest by police and immediately contacted First Student regarding McClendon's status. The district confirmed he will not return to driving for the school. Woods noted that while the district has been informed the allegations are not related to McClendon's conduct while driving a school bus, it has not received information confirming whether the alleged conduct involved a district-enrolled student.
"We take all matters involving the safety and well-being of children extremely seriously and are monitoring the situation closely," Woods wrote in a letter to families. "Student safety remains our highest priority."
Anyone who may have experienced inappropriate conduct, whether related to this case or otherwise, is encouraged to contact the Rantoul Police Department.
The factual information above was sourced from stnonline.com as of July 8, 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 contracted school bus driver is accused of sexually assaulting a child, families may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Illinois sexual abuse attorney Ervin Nevitt about the civil legal avenues that may be available in cases involving alleged sexual assault by a school transportation contractor.
Paul Amess: Ervin, when a school bus driver employed by a private transportation contractor is accused of child sexual assault, what civil legal options may be available to families?
Ervin Nevitt: Cases involving the alleged sexual assault of a child by a contracted school transportation employee raise civil liability questions at multiple levels. Families may have grounds to pursue civil claims not only against the individual accused but also against the transportation company that employed them and potentially the school district that contracted those services. Both the company and the district carry responsibilities when it comes to the safety of the children placed in the care of contracted workers, and a failure at any level of that responsibility can give rise to civil liability.
Paul Amess: In cases where a school district states the allegations are not connected to the driver's employment conduct, does that affect the scope of potential civil claims?
Ervin Nevitt: Civil cases examine a broader set of questions, including how the contractor was screened and supervised and what obligations the district and transportation company had to ensure the safety of children. Families should speak with an experienced attorney rather than make assumptions about what may or may not be available to them.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Illinois whose child was transported by a school bus driver now facing charges of this nature?
Ervin Nevitt: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims in Illinois, and early legal guidance gives families the clearest picture of their rights and options. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no family should have to navigate this process alone.
If your child was allegedly sexually assaulted or harmed by a school bus driver, transportation contractor, or any person responsible for the care of a minor in Illinois, 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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