Illinois Juvenile Sex Abuse Lawsuits: 2025 Updates

Substantial compensation may be available for those who were abused while confined in Illinois juvenile detention facilities.

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  • Help available statewide
  • No cost to file a case unless you win
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A recent DOJ investigation named Illinois among the worst states in the country for juvenile sexual abuse. Some of the facilities where abuse occurred include:

  • Cook County Juvenile Detention Center
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Chicago
  • St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center St. Charles
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Joliet
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Warrenville
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Harrisburg
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Pere Marquette.

If you were affected, contact us to file a claim before time expires

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Compensation Available for Illinois Juvenile Center Abuse

Following investigations by the Department of Justice and other authorities, Illinois has been named one of the worst states in the country for sexual abuse against minors by staff at juvenile detention and youth centers.

County and state authorities have already paid millions in damages to victims of juvenile detention sexual abuse and closed several facilities. However, experts believe the problems haven’t been properly addressed and thousands of minors are still at risk.

So far, more than 1,000 victims have come forward to file claims, alleging abuse as far back as 1996. However, most victims still don’t know they have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation.

How long do Illinois sex abuse victims have to file a claim?

Changes to sexual abuse victim rights laws in Illinois now allow any person who has suffered sexual abuse while under the age of 18 to file a claim for damages up to the age of 38.  

Authorities have identified dozens of youth centers and juvenile facilities where sexual abuse may have taken place. They believe state and county agencies will eventually be forced to pay billions in compensation to victims for not properly screening staff or disciplining those accused of misconduct.

Lawyers with the Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Center are currently filing claims on behalf of anyone who suffered abuse at these Illinois facilities.

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Find out if your case qualifies.

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Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers That Allowed Abuse

Although attention has centered around abuse at Cook County facilities, victims have alleged abuse at many other Youth Detention Centers around the state.  

Below is a partial list of the Illinois juvenile detention facilities that are alleged to have allowed abuse of victims:

  • Cook County Juvenile Detention Center
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Chicago
  • St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center – Belleville, IL
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center St. Charles
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Joliet
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Murphysboro
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Warrenville
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Harrisburg
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Kewanee
  • Illinois Youth Detention Center Pere Marquette
  • Adams County Juvenile Detention Center – Quincy, IL
  • Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center – Urbana, IL
  • Kane County Juvenile Justice Center – St. Charles, IL
  • Knox County Mary Davis Detention Home – Galesburg, IL
  • Lake County Hulse Detention Center – Vernon Hills, IL
  • LaSalle County Juvenile Detention Center – Ottawa, Ill
  • River Valley Juvenile Detention Center (Will County) – Joliet, IL
  • Madison County Juvenile Detention Center – Edwardsville, IL
  • McLean County Juvenile Detention Center – Normal, IL
  • Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center – Peoria, IL
  • Sangamon County Juvenile Center – Springfield, IL
  • Vermilion County Juvenile Detention Center – Danville, IL
  • Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center – Rockford, IL

If you were detained at any of the above facilities, or others throughout the state of Illinois, and suffered sexual abuse, it’s important to speak with a lawyer to learn your rights to file a claim.

infant sleeper lawsuit
What Qualifies as Sexual Abuse for Illinois Juvenile Detention Lawsuits?
Illinois law defines sexual abuse as any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact. It also explicitly states that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sexual interactions with adults.  

Therefore, any sexual act or touching with a sexual intent that involves juvenile detainees and adult staff members or guards is, by definition, sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse that occurs in juvenile detention facilities can come in many forms of misconduct. Some examples of these are:
  • Groping or unwanted touching of private areas
  • Sexual contact by threat or by promise of special treatment
  • Sexual assault or battery
  • Oral or hand sexual encounters
  • Exploitation or coercion of a sexual nature
  • Forced masturbation
  • Rape.
It's crucial to recognize the unique vulnerability of minors within detention facilities. The deeply embedded power dynamics in these environments heighten the risk of abuse. Juveniles, by nature of their circumstances, lack the ability to give consent.  

They depend heavily on staff for basic needs, security, and emotional support. This creates conditions ripe for abuse by those entrusted with their care.

If you or a loved one suffered any of these offenses while in an Illinois youth center or juvenile detention facility, it’s important to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights to compensation.

Find Out If You Qualify

Our team of lawyers specializes in representing those who’ve been the victim of violence, predatory behavior or sexual assault as the result of sharing companies that fail to ensure the safety of their customers. 

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a violent crime at an Airbnb or Vrbo property, you have legal rights. Lawyers are helping those who’ve suffered:
  • Sexual assault
  • Physical attack
  • Rape
  • Homicide
  • Predatory behavior against minors
County officials have acknowledged that for decades they failed to monitor signs of abuse in their juvenile centers, failed to properly screen staff to protect minors, and failed to properly discipline or remove the worst offenders.

While they’ve finally taken steps to protect those detained in juvenile centers in the future, this does nothing to heal those who’ve suffered in the past. Only your own lawyer can make sure you receive the full compensation to which you’re entitled.

Our lawyers and victim advocates can offer counseling, confidential investigation of your case and filing of legal claims to help you recover from your trauma as fully as possible.
Facilities & Sex Abuse
March 2025

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice reveals 10 juvenile facilities still don’t meet updated standards aimed at reducing sexual abuse.

193 Victims File Suit
July, 2024

Lawsuit filed on behalf of 193 victims who were sexually abused, raped or assaulted while minors at Cook County Illinois juvenile detention halls

Franklin Juvenile Center Closed
April 4, 2025

Franklin County juvenile center is permanently closed after class action lawsuit alleging widespread sexual abuse.

Standards Not Met
2022

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice reveals 12 out of 16 state juvenile facilities do not meet standards from the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) aimed at reducing sexual abuse.

SOL Extended
2014

Illinois passes law extending the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse victims up to age 38.

IL Top in Sexual Abuse
June 2013

Release of DOJ National Survey of Youth in Custody report shows Illinois ranks among four worst states for sexual abuse at juvenile facilities

DOJ Investigation
2012

Department of Justice conducts investigation into sexual abuse allegations at seven Illinois juvenile detention centers

$900,000 Settlement
2007

St. Clair County agrees to pay $900,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor inmate by a guard

Felony Sex Abuse
2003

Supervisor at Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro is charged with felony sexual abuse of minors

First Juvenile Center
1904

Illinois opens the first juvenile detention center in the state, Illinois Youth Center at St. Charles

If you were detained at any of the above facilities, or others throughout the state of Illinois, and suffered sexual abuse, it’s important to speak with a lawyer to learn your rights to file a claim.

What compensation is available for Illinois Juvenile victims?

Illinois has taken the historic step of extending the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse to allow them to seek damages from those who were responsible or who allowed the abuse to occur.

Authorities have already paid millions to settle sexual abuse cases from victims. Now, with recent Department of Justice investigations and the number of cases growing, experts believe Illinois state or county officials will be forced to create a victim settlement fund.

By filing a lawsuit, sexual abuse victims can seek compensation for numerous types of damages they’ve suffered, including:
  • Pain & suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Psychological trauma
  • Resulting PTSD, anxiety, and depression
  • Past & future treatment/therapy
  • Lost earnings
  • Other related damages.
In similar lawsuits in other states, awards to childhood sexual abuse victims have reached into the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. While no amount of money can undo what has been experienced by victims, the hope is that the awards can help bring closure and start the healing process.

Victims will still need to file their claim and produce evidence that they were incarcerated at these facilities. For this, the hiring of a lawyer will be helpful.

If you or a loved one suffered sexual assault or abuse while detained at an Illinois Youth Center or juvenile facility, contact us today to speak directly with a lawyer.
Free Case Review
Our attorneys specialize in sexual abuse litigation. Always free & confidential.
Thank you! We will be in touch within 24 hours but hopefully much sooner.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Finding an Illinois Juvenile Abuse lawsuit lawyer

If you or a family member suffered sexual abuse while at an Illinois juvenile facility, it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. They can help determine your legal rights and whether you’re entitled to compensation from the settlement fund.

Our qualified sexual assault lawyers will fully investigate your case, gather evidence and file a claim on your behalf.

Recent changes to Illinois law have extended the time you have to file a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit. However, it is still advisable to file your claim as soon as possible in order to allow your attorney enough time to gather and submit evidence before state and county officials begin disbursing awards for these claims.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you begin the process as early as possible to strengthen your case.

The Sexual Assault Center works only with attorneys and law firms that have successfully handled thousands of sexual assault lawsuits. And, we can connect you directly to a lawyer or victim advocate today, so you’ll be able to decide if you want to proceed.  

We make it easy to get help, find out if you qualify, and quickly file a claim. Our service is offered at no cost to you, and you won’t pay anything to your attorney unless you receive an award. Also, our qualified lawyers can handle most aspects of your case without you ever having to leave your home.  

For more information, or to learn about your options - call, chat or email us today.