Chicago City Wire

Chicago Public Schools teacher Victor M. Aguilar was arrested at O’Hare International Airport Thursday night for carrying a concealed weapon.

Chicago Police confirmed to Chicago City Wire that Aguilar, 27, was charged with one misdemeanor count of concealed carry of a firearm in an airport.

Gun owners “may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only,” according to the U.S Transportation Safety Administration.

Aguilar was en route to Orlando, Florida, sources say. He lives at 7437 N. Ramen Avenue in Rogers Park.

He is a 7th and 8th grade science teacher earning $81,531-- $61,919 in salary and $19,612 in benefits-- at Inter-American Magnet School, 851 W Waveland Ave. in Lake View, according to Chicago Public Schools' employee records. Aguilar started at Inter-American last September.

A Dominican University graduate, he worked as a special education classroom assistant at John Coonley Elementary, 4046 N. Leavitt in Ravenswood Gardens on Chicago’s North Side from 2016 through 2020. According to his LinkedIn account, he also worked at Ridgemoor Country Club for nine years, serving as front desk attendant, assistant pool manager, swim team coach and lifeguard.

Chicago Public Schools have been closed all week, as teachers have refused to teach in-person for fear of catching a virus. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday she is trying to get the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) to urge members like Aguilar to return to the classroom.

CTU members were handing out flyers Thursday on Chicago’s Northwest Side, urging residents to support their efforts to keep schools closed.

Last January, CTU leader Sarah Chambers argued in-person CPS learning was too dangerous while vacationing in Puerto Rico. She argued she was justified because she wore two masks and that "airplanes are (safe) bc airplanes have ICU level filtration & everyone wears masks."