Suit: Private school rented building, took property from south suburban school district

After renting a building from a south suburban school district, a private school took nearly $125,000 worth of tables, desks, cabinets and other property and moved it to a different school, a newly filed lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that Beacon Hill Preparatory Academy in Harvey still refuses to return the property to the Posen-Robbins School District 143.5.

The district alleges that on Feb. 24, 2011, it leased a building at 14900 S. Rockwell in Harvey to Beacon Hill. On June 30, 2015, Beacon Hill removed property from the building totaling $124,757.30 in value, the suit stated.

Among the items taken were: 200 student desks, 22 lunchroom benches and 30 52-inch filing cabinets, the suit stated.

Despite requests from the district for Beacon Hill — which lists its address at 14633 S. Winchester in Harvey — to return the property, school has refused, the suit stated.

A representative from Beacon Hill could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

The two-count suit alleges conversion of property and breach of contract. It seeks more than $380,000 in damages.