Sex abuse claims in the Catholic Church in Illinois

Illinois had a temporary lookback window for childhood sexual abuse claims that was available for claims filed by December 31, 2023, under legislation passed in 2019. That window has closed as of February 2026. Illinois's civil SoL for childhood sexual abuse, outside the expired window, is 20 years after the survivor turns 18 (capped at age 38), or 20 years from the date of discovery. The discovery rule requires showing that the survivor could not have reasonably discovered the connection between the injury and the abuse earlier.

The Illinois lookback window (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2) as amended in 2019 allowed survivors whose claims were previously time-barred to file within the window period ending December 31, 2023. Thousands of claims were filed in Illinois circuit courts during this window, primarily against the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Joliet, and the Diocese of Rockford. The Archdiocese of Chicago, which covers Cook and Lake Counties, faces the largest volume of claims in the state. Illinois has not enacted an additional window following the expiration of the 2023 deadline.

No Illinois diocese has filed for bankruptcy protection as of February 2026, which is notable given the volume of litigation. The Diocese of Rockford is facing substantial claims from the window period. Illinois claims are filed in circuit courts — Cook County Circuit Court (Chicago), Winnebago County (Rockford), Will County (Joliet), and other counties depending on the location of the abuse. Illinois courts applying the discovery rule have in some cases permitted tolling beyond age 38 where institutional concealment can be demonstrated.

Illinois survivors can contact the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) at (217) 753-4117, SNAP's Illinois chapter, and RAINN at 1-800-656-4673. The Illinois Attorney General's office published a 2023 report documenting clergy abuse findings across Illinois dioceses. The Archdiocese of Chicago and other Illinois dioceses publish credible-accusation lists; survivors can cross-reference these lists when evaluating claims. CHILD USA tracks Illinois SoL reform advocacy and any future window legislation.