Lawsuit Information Center
Victims of sexual abuse in Illinois can file civil lawsuits and receive significant financial settlements. This post will examine the process and laws related to sex abuse lawsuits in Illinois. We will also review the average settlement value of these cases and provide examples of settlements and verdicts.
ILLINOIS SEX ABUSE LAWSUIT NEWS AND UPDATES
July 24, 2024 – New Detention Center Lawsuit
Temarkus Washington, a 35-year-old survivor, publicly shared his experiences of sexual abuse as a teenager at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, a large youth detention facility in Chicago. Washington is among 193 individuals who have joined two lawsuits alleging extensive sexual abuse by adult employees at the center from 1995 to 2022. The allegations include rape, unlawful strip searches, and other abuses, involving nearly 400 survivors overall.
The lawsuits claim, as we discuss more in the May 30 update below that abuse was systemic and involved children aged 9 to 17. The victims were often isolated when the abuse occurred and were either threatened or bribed to remain silent.
The complaints describe a longstanding environment of mismanagement and abuse at the facility, previously known as the Arthur J. Audy Home. The center has faced issues tons of issues -such as overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and excessive room confinement – all problems the create a fertile environment for sexual abuse.
July 16, 2024 – New Teacher Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
A teacher and coach at Bloom Trail High School in Steger, Illinois, has been charged with criminal sexual assault in a position of trust. The 48 year old man from Cedar Lake, Indiana, appeared in court after being charged on and was arrested in Lake County, Indiana, before being extradited to Illinois.
A civil sex abuse lawsuit had been filed against him in May by a former student, who accused him of grooming and sexually assaulting her in the early 2000s during her time at the high school.
The alleged victim stated that the inappropriate relationship began during her sophomore year and escalated in her junior year. She recounted that the teacher showed interest in her personal life, which led her to believe he cared for her, resulting in her first sexual experience. The abuse allegedly occurred both on and off-campus, but, as we often see, the student was too frightened to report it at the time, fearing severe consequences for the teacher.
The lawsuit also implicates Bloom Trail High School and District 206, alleging that various staff members were aware of the inappropriate relationship but failed to intervene. The school has since placed the staff member on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation, as stated in a letter to parents by the principle.
July 3, 2024 – New Uber Sex Abuse Lawsuit
A Cook County woman has filed a lawsuit suit alleging sexually assaulted, harassed, battered, or otherwise attacked by an Uber driver during a ride arranged through the Uber platform on July 12, 2022.
This Illinois lawsuit is filed directly in Uber sex abuse MDL in California.
June 27, 2024 – New Sex Abuse Lawsuit
A new sex abuse lawsuit has been filed against Rush Oak Park Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital, along with various medical professionals, alleging severe mistreatment that included involuntary confinement and a preventable sexual assault.
Filed in the Northern District of Illinois, the suit accuses the hospitals and staff of negligence, battery, false imprisonment, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Vallera, who has ADHD and an anxiety disorder, claims she was wrongfully confined in a mental health facility and was sexually assaulted by hospital staff.
This lawsuit details a troubling sequence of events starting with her admission for a sleep study, leading to a series of re-admissions and inappropriate treatments, including being forcibly sedated and restrained. It is pretty awful to imagine being wrongly committed to a mental institution and being sexually abused.
June 19, 2024 – Archdiocese of Chicago Faces New Abuse Lawsuit
The Archdiocese of Chicago is facing a new civil lawsuit by a group of 6 individuals who claim that they were sexually abused by Father John “Jack” Keehan. Father Keehan was the head pastor at St. Ann School and Parish in the Pilsen area of Chicago from the early 1990s until around 2002.
June 16, 2024 – Motion to Dismiss Denied in Dr. Ortega Sex Abuse Case
Defense lawyers for convicted sexual predator Dr. Fabio Ortega and the hospitals he worked for previously filed motions seeking to dismiss many of the abuse lawsuits by former patients.
The motions argued that the claims by these former patients of Dr. Ortega were time-barred under the applicable statute of limitations and statute of repose. In a recent ruling, the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, denied those motions.
In a seven-page written opinion, the Court ruled that the statutes asserted by the defense were not applicable because they applied to claims arising out of medical care. In the Court’s view, claims involving sexual assault by Dr. Ortega did not arise out of “patient care” and, therefore, fell outside the statute. The Court also found that a question of fact remained as to whether the statute of limitations was tolled based on fraudulent concealment by the defendants.
June 10, 2024 – Fenton School District Lawsuit
Yesterday, a school sex abuse lawsuit was filed in federal court against the Fenton Community High School District 100 in Illinois, alleging that it enabled and covered up the sexual misconduct of Michael Berago, a 40-year-old teacher and track and field coach, over 15 years.
The plaintiff, identified as Survivor A, claims that the district failed to take action despite numerous reports and concrete knowledge of the teacher’s inappropriate behavior, including harassment, grooming, sexual assault, and rape of students.
The complaint alleges that he videotaped one of his rapes of the victim. The teacher was promoted multiple times despite allegations against him and was only placed on administrative leave in 2023 and eventually fired in 2024. The complaint details that from at least 2009 to 2023, the school district turned a blind eye to the teacher’s sexually predatory actions.
As far back as 2011, another teacher reported inappropriate texts with students. This woman asserts that the district’s negligence allowed the teacher to repeatedly abuse her and other students. Despite complaints from teachers, parents, and students, the district allegedly failed to investigate properly or discipline the teacher effectively, instead incredibly choosing to promote him to higher positions.
The victim is seeking damages for the harm she suffered, including severe emotional and psychological trauma, loss of educational opportunities, and other impacts on her life. The lawsuit also demands that the district implement and enforce policies to prevent such abuses in the future.
June 3, 2024 – “Ortega Law” Passed
The Illinois legislature has passed a bill that would require more healthcare facilities to report allegations of patient abuse to the state – a measure that follows a Tribune investigation into the issue. Under the bill, doctors’ offices and clinics affiliated with hospitals would have to report allegations of patient abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health, triggering an investigation by the state. Currently, hospitals must only report allegations that happen at hospitals. I’m calling this the “Ortega Law” because that loophole was used to avoid reporting allegations against Dr. Fabio Ortega.
May 30, 2024 – Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuit
A new detention center sex abuse lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges rampant abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades.
The plaintiffs’ lawsuit claims that both male and female staff members perpetrated the abuse. Although the allegations only run through 2017, the suit claims that sexual abuse of children at Illinois juvenile detention facilities continues to this day.
These claims should surprise no one. A 2013 U.S. Department of Justice report found that Illinois had the fourth-highest percentage of detainees reporting staff sexual misconduct. The Joliet Detention Center, which closed in 2013, was particularly egregious, consistently ranking among the facilities with the most sexual abuse. So was the Illinois Y0uth Center – Chicago.
May 3, 2024 – New Lawsuits Against Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago is being sued for its alleged role in failing to prevent the repeated sexual abuse of an altar boy by Rev. John Keehan at St. Ann Elementary School and Parish during the mid-1990s.
Filed in Cook County Circuit Court, the sex abuse lawsuit claims that from 1994 to 1997, Keehan abused the boy and that the archdiocese neglected to adequately supervise the priest, despite his known history of abuse. Keehan, who was removed from public ministry in 2002, was highlighted in a 2023 Illinois attorney general’s report as having committed substantiated child sex abuse.
Importantly, the lawsuit also notes that Keehan was frequently moved between about nine parishes and schools after allegations of sexual misconduct began shortly after his ordination in 1967. It is not hard to guess why he was being moved.
Six individuals have reported abuse by Keehan as minors. The current plaintiff, now 40, alleges suffering from emotional and physical distress and a loss of religious faith due to the abuse. This case is the third such lawsuit filed by former students of St. Ann against the archdiocese related to Keehan’s awfulness.
April 18, 2024 – Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
One issue that does not get enough attention is sexual abuse in nursing homes. A lawsuit was filed in Cook County alleging that a resident with Alzheimer’s suffered sexual assault at a Caseyville nursing home. The complaint, brought by the independent administrator of the estate of the resident, targets Caseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Inc. and SW Financial Services, which provides management services to various skilled nursing facilities across Illinois.
The resident, who was entirely dependent on the staff for daily living assistance, had several medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, which significantly impaired her cognitive and physical capabilities. According to this nursing home sexual assault lawsuit, the resident experienced over 25 falls for over a year-and-a-half and displayed unexplained severe bruising and pain in December 2023, which led to hospitalization at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. The hospital staff noted bruising around sensitive areas leading to the conclusion she was sexually abused.
The lawsuit accuses the nursing home of inadequate staffing and failing to adhere to federal guidelines for nurse coverage, which compromised the care and safety of this poor woman. Furthermore, the facility – which is not a highly rated nursing home – reportedly failed to operationalize its abuse policy by not reporting allegations of sexual abuse to local authorities or preventing further potential abuse after such allegations were reported.
The suit argues that the nursing home neglected its duty to protect the plaintiff’s health and safety, allowing her to suffer abuse and neglect under its care.
March 20, 2024 – Servite Priests Accused of Child Sex Abuse
Several Catholic priests from the Servite religious order have been accused of child sexual abuse but are not included on the public lists of credibly accused members by the Chicago-area church. Church officials have not provided explanations for this omission. These priests have been implicated in abuse cases, yet their names remain absent from accountability records despite significant allegations against them.
The Order of Friar Servants of Mary, or Servites, headquartered in Chicago, faces scrutiny over its handling of abuse allegations. Despite transparency calls, the Servites have not released a list of members accused of abuse. Why? The silence is deafening. This lack of disclosure comes amidst ongoing lawsuits and allegations that have surfaced, particularly concerning a priest accused of molesting multiple children in California after his tenure in Chicago.
It is amazing this is still happening in 2024.
February 11, 2024 – Township High School District 205 Sex Abuse Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed in Cook County alleges that officials from Lockport Township High School District 205 failed to protect a female student, identified as Jane Doe, from a sexual assault by a male student-athlete with a known history of sexual misconduct.
The lawsuit accuses the District 205 Superintendent, the assistant superintendent, and others of willful and wanton misconduct for allowing the male student to interact with female students without implementing any protective measures, leading to the assault of Jane Doe on December 9, 2022, at Victor J. Andrew High School.
The pretrial discovery process is crucial in school sex abuse lawsuits like this. The question is who knew what and what type of systems were in place to protect children.
January 12, 2024 – Butler Sex Abuse Litigation
Volleyball coach Rick Butler and his wife are currently barred from addressing certain issues in state court related to sanctions they received in a federal class action lawsuit until the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals resolves their appeal. The federal case involved accusations of sex abuse fraud against Butler. Butler won the case before it ever got to trial. But the judge did not address whether the allegations against Butler were true or false. His club, GLV Inc., was sanctioned for improperly communicating with class members to encourage them to opt out of the lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly issued an order stating that the Butlers cannot litigate allegations of sex abuse fraud in state court to the extent that it involves discussing their communications with the federal suit’s class members or the propriety of sanctions over those communications. This restriction remains in place until the Seventh Circuit decides on the Butlers’ appeal to overturn the sanctions.
The sanctions were originally imposed after Judge Kennelly found the Butlers encouraged class members to opt out of a lawsuit accusing Rick Butler of concealing sexual misconduct allegations. The Butlers’ communications with class members and the appropriateness of the sanctions were key points in the federal sanctions order.
December 14, 2023 – Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuits
The Uber class action lawsuit is in full swing, and Illinois will have its fair share of plaintiffs.
October 20, 2023 – Blackhawks Sexual Assault Lawsuit
A former Chicago Blackhawks prospect, has filed a lawsuit against the team, alleging negligence and other claims related to the team’s mishandling of sexual assault reports against former coach Brad Aldrich. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, accuses the Blackhawks management of prioritizing their 2010 Stanley Cup championship run over player welfare, delaying the address of sexual assault allegations against Aldrich and attempting to cover up his misconduct.
The player is suing for negligent hiring, retention, supervision, infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, willful and wanton conduct, and violation of Illinois’ Gender Violence Act.
September 14, 2023 – $19 Million Verdict in Sex Abuse Case
An Illinois federal jury has awarded over $19 million to a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who accused her prison counselor, Richard Macleod, of raping and sexually assaulting her for seven months while she served a prison sentence at Logan Correctional Center.
The jury deliberated for just four hours before awarding Jane Doe an $8 million payout in compensatory damages and $11.3 million in punitive damages. These punitive damages include $10 million from Macleod, $800,000 from the head prison investigator, and $500,000 from the warden. How did this end up in federal court? Her Illinois sex abuse lawsuit alleged that the abuse violated her constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
August 2, 2023 – Illinois Attorney General Releases Report on Sex Abuse By Catholic Clergy
The Illinois Attorney General’s office released an investigation detailing decades of sexual abuse of children committed by priests and religious brothers. The report is the result of an extensive investigation, and it covers several decades. It found credible evidence to support claims that 451 clergy members sexually abused nearly 2,000 children.
What is Sexual Abuse or Assault in Illinois?
Sexual abuse or sexual assault can range from forcible rape to groping. Sexual abuse or assault can be the basis for a civil lawsuit, but the definition of these acts comes the criminal law. Under Illinois law, the crime of “Criminal Sexual Abuse” is defined as follows:
(a) A person commits criminal sexual abuse if that person: (1) commits an act of sexual conduct by the use of force or threat of force; or (2) commits an act of sexual conduct and knows that the victim is unable to understand the nature of the act or is unable to give knowing consent.
In the context of civil lawsuits, sexual abuse under this definition is often referred to as sexual battery.
This broad definition encompasses a very wide range of sexual contact or touching. The 2 critical elements that must be present for the touching to constitute sexual battery are (1) sexual conduct, and (2) lack of consent. For sexual battery to occur in Illinois, there must be an act or actions that fit the definition of “sexual conduct,” which means sexual touching intentionally done for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal. Intent is the key here. If someone accidentally touches private parts in a crowded elevator, there is no intent, and it is not sexual battery.
The second element is a lack of consent. For an intentional sexual touching to constitute sexual battery, the touching must be non-consensual. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor and lacks the capacity to give legal consent to any sexual touching. Therefore, any form of intentional sexual contact with a minor will automatically constitute sexual abuse or battery.
Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse in Illinois
Any victim of sexual abuse or assault has the ability to file a civil lawsuit under Illinois law and seek monetary compensation. Abuse victims can bring a civil lawsuit regardless of whether criminal charges were brought for the abuse. In fact, victims can sue even if they never reported or told anyone about the abuse when it happened.
To file a civil lawsuit for sexual abuse, victims simply need to be willing to testify about the abuse under oath. Additional evidence, such as medical records showing physical injuries resulting from the assault, can be used to support the claims. Testimony from other factual witnesses can also be presented.
Holding 3rd Parties Liable in Sex Abuse Lawsuits
The individual person who committed the abuse or assault is always a potential defendant in a civil lawsuit. In many cases, however, that individual probably won’t have enough money to pay a verdict or settlement for the lawsuit or they may already be dead or in jail. Except in rare cases where the abuser is someone rich and famous, suing them will not get you very much.
To succeed in a sex abuse lawsuit, plaintiffs need to bring negligence claims against third parties with deep pockets, such as schools, churches, or corporations. These third parties can be held liable if the victim can show that they were somehow negligent in preventing the sexual abuse or failing to protect the victim.
Illinois Statute of Limitations in Sex Abuse Lawsuits
In 2013, Illinois eliminated all statutes of limitations for sexual abuse cases, including civil claims against alleged abusers. As of January 1, 2014, there is no legal deadline for adult victims of sexual abuse or assault to file a personal injury claim in Illinois.
But what if you were sexually abused before 2014? In that case, if you were sexually abused as a child (under 18), you have until you turn 38 to file a civil lawsuit for damages.
For adults, the deadline to file a civil claim for sexual abuse is much shorter, typically only two years from the date the abuse occurred.
There are exceptions to this rule, and you want to find out if those exceptions apply to your claim.
Detention Center Sexual Assault Lawsuits in Illinois
- Illinois Youth Center Warrenville Lawsuits
- Illinois Youth Center St. Charles
- Illinois Youth Center Joliet Lawsuits
- Illinois Youth Center Chicago Lawsuits
- Video on Illinois Detention Center Abuse Lawsuits
Faith’s Law
In 2021, Illinois passed two notable legislations collectively referred to as Faith’s Law. These laws were initiated to address issues related to sexual misconduct within schools.
The initial legislation, known as Public Act 102-0676, solidified the definition of sexual misconduct under the School Code. This act also mandates schools to formulate and display their employee code of professional conduct policies. A subsequent piece of legislation, Public Act 102-0702, that became effective on July 1, 2023, emphasizes the prevention of “sexual misconduct” as defined in the prior act by staff in various capacities: school employees, substitutes, and contractors.
Key highlights of Faith’s Law include:
- A clear definition of sexual misconduct covers intentional or careless acts by school employees, substitutes, or contractors with a sexual implication. This encompasses:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Indecent exposure
- Unlawful restraint
- Grooming
- Any other actions deemed as sexual misconduct under federal or state legislation.
The act codifies what you hope schools were doing anyway, requiring them to:
- Create and display policies surrounding professional conduct, especially highlighting the definition of sexual misconduct.
- Expect employees to report any suspicions of such misconduct to the administration.
- Conduct thorough background verifications for all employees and contractors.
- Impart training on preventing sexual misconduct.
- Inform parents/guardians and the concerned student about any alleged sexual misconduct.
- Implement other protocols when dealing with sexual misconduct allegations.
The law honors Faith Colson, a prevention advocate and survivor of child sexual abuse. Having graduated from an Illinois high school in the early 2000s and undergone abuse by a teacher, Faith Colson became a beacon of change. She collaborated with legislators and advocates to bring Faith’s Law into existence, aspiring to shield other children from experiencing such trauma.
- Illinois Personal Injury Law & Settlements
- Illinois Birth Injury Malpractice Law
- Illinois Malpractice Verdicts & Settlement Value
How Sex Abuse Lawsuits in Illinois Are Evaluated for Settlement
The settlement value of Illinois sex abuse lawsuits is driven by various factors. These factors help determine the appropriate settlement amount and the likelihood of reaching an agreement between the parties involved.
- Evidentiary Strength: Cases in which the sex abuse allegations are well supported by strong, reliable external evidence such as medical records or witness testimony will have a higher settlement value because the plaintiff is more likely to win at trial.
- Nature of the Abuse: The nature and type of sexual abuse in the case have a major impact on settlement value. Sex abuse of a child or sexual assault involving violence or force is going to be worth more compared to abuse that involves an adult victim where consent is contested.
- 3rd Party Liability Theory: Usually, to have real settlement value there needs to be a viable claim against a third-party defendant like a school, or church. Cases with stronger negligence theories against these third parties will have a higher settlement value.
- Who Your Lawyer Is: The experience, skill, and reputation of your sex abuse lawyer play a major role in the settlement value of your case. The average settlement for clergy abuse is certainly higher for victims who hire one of the best sex abuse lawyers in Illinois.
Illinois Sex Abuse Verdicts And Settlements
Below are summaries of reported settlements and jury verdicts from prior Illinois sex abuse lawsuits. These verdicts and settlements are helpful as a comparative tool for understanding the potential value of your case. They are not, however, a guarantee of value in your case because the facts and circumstances of each case are highly unique.
- $2.9 Million Settlement (Chicago 2024): The Order of the Carmelites has agreed to pay $2.9 million to settle claims of child sexual assault by a former teacher at Mount Carmel High School. Plaintiff’s sex abuse lawsuit alleged that the teacher sexually assaulted a student more than a dozen times between 1982 and 1986, even after the student reported the abuse to school administrators. Despite these reports, no action was taken. The teacher continued to serve in public ministry until 2002, despite prior allegations of misconduct. The settlement was reached through mediation before a lawsuit was officially filed.
- $19,000,000 Verdict (Federal Court in Chicago 2023): We do not talk enough about sexual abuse inflicted upon prisoners. In this case, a woman courageously came forward with allegations of rape and sexual assault during her seven-month incarceration at Logan Correctional Center in Logan County. It is sometimes hard to get people to believe prisoners. But someone did here. The jury awarded $19 million in a verdict that offers hope for meaningful reform in the way prisons handle reports of sexual assault.
- $950,000 Settlement (Kane County 2022): The plaintiff claimed that while she was a kindergarten student at an elementary school operated by defendant East Aurora School District 131, she was allegedly sexually abused by her teacher. According to the plaintiff’s mother, there had been previous allegations of sexual misconduct made by another minor student regarding the teacher, but the school failed to properly investigate the allegations and did nothing to stop the abuse.
- $3,600,000 Settlement (Cook County): The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chicago settlement claims by 2 victims who alleged that the were sexually assaulted by Catholic clergy members as children and the church ignored and/or covered up the allegations. One victim received $2.1 million and the other received $1.5 million.
- $500,000 Settlement (N.D. Illinois 2020): The plaintiff claimed that while he was an inmate in the Cook County jail, a Sheriff Deputy working as a guard at the jail forced the plaintiff into a physical sexual relationship that lasted for nine months. The defendant agreed to settle the case for $500k.
- $380,000 Settlement (N.D. Illinois 2019): Jane Doe, a 26-year-old caucasian female, a former medical student, and a law student at the time of this incident, was housed as an inmate of Cook County Jail when she reportedly suffered sexual assault including digital penetration by a fellow inmate who was incarnated for homicide. The plaintiff alleged that the staff at the jail informed her that due to her ethnicity and ‘look’, she would have a hard time, failed to provide the plaintiff with protection, and housed a minimum security inmate in a maximum security wing.
Sex Abuse By Illinois Doctors and Other HealthCare Providers
We have above a link to the Dr. Ortega scandal involving a prominent OB/GYN who sexually assaulted numerous female patients over several years. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Our lawyers started looking at doctor sex abuse lawsuits ten years ago, taking what we thought were these rare instances of medical providers doing something awful and, incredibly, otherwise esteemed hospitals and other medical providers looking the other way.
We were wrong. It is not rare at all.
In February 2024, the Chicago Tribune and other area newspapers wrote articles on the problem. They cited three examples beyond just Ortega:
- At the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, an incident occurred where X-ray technician Karol Ruszczyk inappropriately touched a patient’s vaginal area over her clothing under the guise of addressing her hip and groin pain.
- At Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, nurse David Giurgiu exploited a heavily medicated, 76-year-old patient by coercing her into performing oral sex.
- At Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, employee Titus Snelling isolated a patient in an elevator and began to kiss her neck unsolicited.
The common thread present in all of these atrocities? Despite complaints lodged by the victims, the respective health care facilities failed to take immediate action, allowing these employees to continue working until they were eventually charged for abusing more patients.
People complain there are too many lawsuits in this country. They might be right. But sex abuse lawsuits against hospitals and other medical providers that ignore these predators are one of the few weapons we have to force these healthcare providers to keep these animals in check.
Now, the Illinois State Health Department is pushing a bill aiming to impose financial penalties on hospitals that neglect to report cases of sexual abuse by their staff. Additionally, the bill seeks to extend the obligation of reporting abuse allegations involving healthcare workers to doctors’ offices and satellite clinics, applying the same regulations currently enforced for hospitals.
This would help. But right now, it is sexual assault lawsuits that are hitting these providers with legal fees and the costs of paying settlement amounts and jury payouts that is pushing providers to take some action.
Hiring an Illinois Sex Abuse Lawyer
If you were the victim of sexual abuse and think that you have a potential claim and you want justice, get a free no-obligation consultation or call us today at 800-553-8082