Illinois · Abuse in youth detention
Abuse in youth detention lawsuit in Illinois
See If You Qualify
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Updated
01 · Your filing deadline
What is the deadline in Illinois?
Illinois allows an action based on childhood sexual abuse to be filed at any time if it was not already time-barred when that change took effect (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2(f)). Older claims may fall under the standard 2-year personal injury SOL with discovery rule. A lawyer can confirm yours.
Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.
02 · Where cases are heard
Where would my case be heard?
Illinois allows an action based on childhood sexual abuse to be filed at any time if it was not already time-barred when that change took effect (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2(f)). Other abuse claims follow other limitation periods. Whether that time has passed depends on your facts, so don't rule yourself out. A lawyer can tell you.
Civil claims arising from abuse in Illinois juvenile facilities are filed in the Circuit Court of the county where the facility sits or where the abuse occurred. Illinois uses a unified Circuit Court system, and the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago is among the largest trial courts in the country. Survivors of abuse at Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice facilities and county detention centers have brought claims through these courts.
Illinois has effectively eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, as amended effective in 2014, an action for damages based on childhood sexual abuse may be commenced at any time for claims that were not already time-barred before that amendment took effect. This makes Illinois one of the more accessible states for survivors seeking to bring civil claims years or even decades after the abuse.
Where a claim is brought against the State of Illinois itself, sovereign immunity may route certain damages claims through the Illinois Court of Claims rather than the Circuit Court, and different procedures and caps can apply. Claims against individual perpetrators, private contractors that operate facilities, and units of local government follow different paths. Which forum applies depends on who is named and the theory of liability.
Survivors deserve to be believed and supported no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Confidential, 24/7 support is available through RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. This is general information, not legal advice, and this organization is not a law firm.
Medical facilities in Illinois
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital — Child Advocacy Center
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care — Chicago Office
How this works nationally
For the overall process and updates, read the Abuse in youth detention overview. This page covers the local information available for Illinois.
What happens when I check?
You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.
Live in Illinois? Read what applies in your state.
Register your interest. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you.
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