Evanston District 65 Seeks Victim Impact Statements Ahead Of Former Superintendent's Sentencing

EVANSTON, IL — The United States Attorney's Office is seeking Victim Impact Statements from people who were affected by the federal kickback scheme orchestrated by former superintendent Devon Horton.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 said the court is accepting written Victim Impact Statements from people affected by the defendants’ crimes. According to the district, anyone who wishes to submit a statement for the court’s consideration must do so by Dec. 7, 2026. The district said victims may describe in their own words what they experienced and how they were affected.

District 65 said it will collect written statements and submit them to the court on behalf of the authors. Statements may be submitted to Adeela Qureshi, School Board Secretary, by email at qureshia@district65.net or mailed to her attention at 1500 McDaniel Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

People who prefer to send a victim impact statement directly to the court may address it to the Honorable Thomas M. Durkin, 219 South Dearborn Street, Courtroom 1441, Chicago, IL 60604, according to the district’s notice.

The district also shared information with the community about upcoming sentencing hearings in United States v. Devon Horton et al. at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sentencing hearings before the Honorable Thomas M. Durkin are scheduled to begin in January 2027 at the federal courthouse in Chicago.

The sentencings are open to the public, and will be conducted by Judge Durkin in Chicago. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced as follows:

• January 5, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. – Devon Horton
• January 25, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. – Alfonzo Lewis
• March 10, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. – Antonio Ross
• April 15, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. – Samuel Ross