Illinois Sexual Abuse Lawyer

What Is Considered Sexual Abuse in Illinois?

The sexual assault definition in Illinois​ covers a range of nonconsensual sexual conduct. Sexual abuse and assault may involve penetration or sexual conduct carried out by force, or by someone who holds a position of authority over a minor.

In many cases, survivors have the right to pursue a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against both the abuser and any organizations that failed to prevent or report the abuse.

Sexual abuse in Illinois​ may involve:

• Abuse by a trusted authority figure, such as a teacher, doctor, or clergy member
• Child sexual abuse, molestation, or exploitation
• Grooming behavior used to gain a child's trust before abuse
• Online grooming, coercion, or exploitation of a minor
• Rape or attempted rape
• Unwanted sexual touching, fondling, or penetration

Acts of sexual assault under Illinois law​ are generally classified as a type of criminal sexual assault, depending on factors like the victim's age, the use of force, and the relationship between the accused and the victim.

Illinois gives many survivors of childhood sexual abuse until age 38, or 20 years from discovering their injuries, to file a civil claim — and for many, there may be no deadline at all.

Who Can File Illinois Sex Abuse Claims?

Illinois law allows many survivors to file civil Illinois sex abuse claims against the individuals and institutions responsible for their abuse, regardless of whether criminal charges were ever filed.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, therapy and counseling costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the abuse.

You may be able to file an Illinois sexual abuse lawsuit if you are:

• A survivor of sexual abuse that happened when you were a child or an adult
• A parent or guardian filing on behalf of a minor child
• The estate representative of a survivor who has since passed away

Illinois sexual abuse lawsuits may involve not only the individual abuser but also a school, church, detention facility, or other organization that failed to prevent the abuse. This includes institutions that ignored warning signs or failed to properly screen employees.

You may still have legal options even if the person who abused you has died or the institution where the abuse occurred has since closed or changed hands.

Illinois Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations​ sets the amount of time a survivor has to take legal action. In Illinois sexual abuse cases, the deadline can vary significantly depending on the circumstances.

The sexual assault statute of limitations​ in Illinois depends on factors like:

• Age at the time of abuse: Different deadlines may apply depending on whether the survivor was a child or an adult when the abuse occurred.
• Type of legal action: Criminal charges and civil sexual abuse lawsuits follow different rules and deadlines.
• When the abuse occurred: Illinois has changed its sexual abuse laws over time, so the applicable deadline may depend on when the abuse happened and whether the filing window had already expired under prior law.

Because these deadlines can be complicated, an Illinois sexual abuse attorney can review when the abuse occurred, the survivor's age at the time, and other details to determine which deadline may apply.

Illinois Childhood Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Illinois recognizes that survivors of childhood sexual abuse often don't understand the full impact of what happened to them until years or sometimes decades later.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, Illinois law gives many survivors more time to take legal action, allowing them to come forward and pursue compensation long after the abuse occurred.

The Illinois statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse includes:

• Until age 38, or 20 years from discovery: Survivors generally have until their 38th birthday, or 20 years from the date they discover the connection between their injuries and the abuse, whichever comes later.
• Discovery protections: The 20-year filing window doesn't necessarily start when the abuse happened. It starts when the survivor first connects their injuries (such as emotional or psychological harm) to the abuse, which can happen years or decades later.
• No deadline for many claims: In 2014, Illinois removed the civil filing deadline for any claim that hadn't already expired under the above rule by that point. This means many survivors, even those abused well before 2014, can still file at any time, as long as their filing window wasn't closed by January 1, 2014.
• Different rules for public schools and government entities: Because public schools and other government bodies are treated differently under Illinois law, separate notice requirements and deadlines may apply.

This means that even if the abuse happened 20, 30, or 40 years ago, you may still be able to bring a civil claim today. An Illinois childhood sexual abuse lawyer at Sokolove Law can help determine which version of the law applies to your case.

Illinois Adult Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Illinois treats adult sexual assault claims differently than childhood abuse claims. Survivors who were 18 or older when the assault occurred generally have only 2 years from the date of the incident to file a civil lawsuit under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.

This short window means many adult survivors, who often wait years before coming forward, can lose their right to sue if they don't act quickly. However, Illinois courts recognize certain exceptions that may pause this deadline.

Exceptions to the statute of limitations on sexual assault in Illinois include:

• Fraudulent concealment of the abuse
• If the survivor had a mental impairment or was otherwise legally unable to manage their own affairs when the assault occurred
• The discovery rule, when a survivor did not immediately connect their injuries to the assault

Because Illinois' rules have changed multiple times and depend heavily on when the abuse occurred, it's important to talk to an Illinois sexual abuse attorney​ as soon as possible to avoid missing your filing deadline.

Types of Illinois Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle

Sexual abuse has occurred in many different settings throughout Illinois, and survivors may have the right to file claims against both the individual perpetrator and the organization that failed to prevent or stop the abuse.

Institutions that have been named in Illinois sexual abuse lawsuits include:

• Religious organizations and churches
• Hospitals and other health care facilities
• Hotels and other lodging businesses
• Juvenile detention centers and youth correctional facilities
• Foster care agencies, group homes, and other residential facilities
• Public and private schools, including colleges and universities
• Youth organizations, including the Boy Scouts and athletic programs
• Rideshare services and other transportation providers

Regardless of where the abuse took place or how much time has passed, you may still have options under Illinois law. An Illinois sexual abuse lawyer can investigate what happened and fight for the justice you deserve.

Illinois Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Child sexual abuse can happen anywhere adults are trusted with the care, supervision, or education of children.

While no setting is immune, many child sex abuse lawsuits in Illinois involve organizations accused of ignoring warning signs or concealing reports of sexual misconduct.

Child sex abuse lawsuits in Illinois​ have involved:

• Teachers, coaches, and school administrators
• Clergy members and church volunteers
• Day care workers and foster parents
• Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers
• Youth group and sports program leaders

Because the Illinois statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse​ is one of the more generous in the country, a child sex abuse lawsuit in Illinois​ may still be viable even if the abuse happened decades ago.

An Illinois child sexual abuse lawyer can investigate your case, identify every liable party, and help you understand your options.

Illinois Clergy Abuse Attorney

For decades, survivors have alleged that Catholic dioceses and other religious institutions across Illinois failed to protect children from sexual abuse.

A 2023 report from the Illinois Attorney General's office identified 451 clergy members credibly accused of abusing at least 1,997 survivors from 1950 to 2019.

Illinois religious organizations that have faced clergy abuse lawsuits include:

• Archdiocese of Chicago
• Diocese of Belleville
• Diocese of Joliet
• Diocese of Peoria
• Diocese of Rockford
• Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Mormon Church

The Archdiocese of Chicago alone has paid more than $400 Million to resolve abuse claims, and they continues to settle new cases involving decades-old allegations.

In September 2026, the Archdiocese agreed to pay over $5.4 Million to resolve 9 claims involving clergy sexual abuse that occurred 30 to 50 years ago.

An Illinois clergy sexual abuse attorney​ can pursue claims against dioceses, religious orders, and individual parishes, regardless of the denomination or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Illinois Doctor Sexual Abuse Attorney

Patients trust doctors, nurses, and other health care providers to keep them safe. Unfortunately, sexual abuse can occur when providers exploit patients during exams or treatment.

Illinois medical sexual abuse allegations have involved:

• Aurora Chicago Lakeshore Hospital: Illinois investigated 16 allegations of abuse or neglect at the hospital in 2018, including reports of children being sexually abused by staff and other patients, according to an investigation by ProPublica Illinois. The hospital later closed.
• Dr. Fabio Ortega: More than 300 former patients have accused the OB-GYN of sexual abuse during exams spanning from the early 1990s to his 2021 guilty plea, with lawsuits alleging NorthShore University HealthSystem and Swedish Hospital ignored complaints for years. A $453 Million charge was disclosed to resolve the claims.
• Hartgrove Behavioral Health System: A former mental health counselor, Edmund Rivers, was criminally charged in 2024 with sexually assaulting 5 boys, ages 7 to 14, at the facility between 1996 and 2004. More than 100 former minor patients have allegedly come forward with abuse claims at Hartgrove and other Illinois facilities.
• The Pavilion Behavioral Health System: A Champaign County jury awarded $535 Million in 2024 after finding the facility negligent when a 13-year-old patient was raped by another patient in 2020. The award was later reduced to $180 Million and settled out of court in 2025.
• Riveredge Hospital: A 2008 Chicago Tribune investigation, later confirmed by a University of Illinois at Chicago study, found the state's largest psychiatric hospital "left sexual predators unguarded despite repeated allegations that mentally disabled children were assaulted," documenting at least 10 assaults over a 3-year period.

An Illinois sexual abuse attorney​ can pursue claims against both the individual provider and the hospital or clinic that employed them if they ignored complaints or failed to act on warning signs.

Illinois Hotel Sexual Assault Lawyer

Hotels and other lodging businesses have a duty to provide reasonably safe premises for their guests.

When a hotel fails to properly screen or supervise staff, maintain adequate security, or respond to known dangers, they may be held liable if a guest is sexually assaulted on the property.

Illinois hotel sexual assault lawsuits​ may involve:

• Assault by hotel staff, such as housekeeping or security personnel
• Inadequate locks, cameras, or security measures
• Failure to properly vet employees with access to guest rooms
• Assault by a third party the hotel knew or should have known posed a danger

An Illinois hotel sexual assault attorney can investigate the hotel's security practices and hiring history to determine whether the property may share responsibility for what happened.

Illinois Juvenile Hall Abuse Attorney

Children and teens in Illinois’ juvenile detention system rely on staff for their safety, making them especially vulnerable to abuse by those entrusted with their care and supervision.

Nearly 1,000 lawsuits have been filed against Illinois Youth Centers (IYCs) and the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, alleging sexual abuse by staff dating mostly from 1996 to 2023.

Roughly 70% of the alleged abuse occurred at IYC facilities in Chicago, Harrisburg, St. Charles, and Warrenville, with the remainder tied to Cook County's juvenile facility.

Survivors, some of whom were as young as 9, have described being assaulted during strip searches, medical exams, and overnight shifts, often accompanied by threats or retaliation for reporting. We can help survivors determine whether they may still be able to file a claim.

Attorneys for Sexual Abuse Cases in Illinois Nursing Homes​

Nursing home residents, particularly those with dementia or physical disabilities, are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse by staff members or other residents.

Illinois has more than 660 licensed nursing homes, and abuse can go unreported for long stretches when residents are unable to communicate what happened to them.

Our top attorneys for sexual abuse cases in Illinois nursing homes​ can investigate the facility's hiring, training, and supervision practices, and pursue compensation from both the individual abuser and the facility that failed to protect residents.

Illinois Sexual Assault in Prison Attorney​

Correctional facilities have a legal duty to protect those in their custody from sexual abuse, but Illinois prisons have faced repeated allegations that staff exploited their power over incarcerated individuals.

Logan Correctional Center, Illinois' primary women's prison, has become the focus of a growing number of federal lawsuits. In 2023, a federal jury awarded $19.3 Million to a former inmate who said a prison counselor repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

In September 2025, 7 more women filed federal lawsuits alleging sexual assault, grooming, and retaliation by Logan staff, citing internal records showing dozens of abuse complaints filed at the facility with few resulting in discipline.

An Illinois sexual assault in prison lawyer​ can help survivors pursue civil claims against correctional staff and the Illinois Department of Corrections for failing to prevent known patterns of abuse.

Illinois School Sex Abuse Attorney

Schools should be safe places for children to learn, but sexual abuse allegations have touched public school districts and elite private schools alike across Illinois.

Illinois teacher sexual assault allegations have involved:

• Chicago Academy for the Arts
• Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
• Farragut Career Academy
• Gurdon S. Hubbard High School
• Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233
• Lake Forest Academy
• Lake Forest Community High School District 115
• Little Village Lawndale High School
• Lorca Elementary School
• Montessori School of Lake Forest
• Saint Bede Academy
• Thornton Fractional South High School
• Westchester Middle School
• Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

The Illinois school sex abuse settlement​ followed an earlier $800,000 CPS settlement involving a former Hubbard High School teacher, and a $2 Million settlement over a former Lorca Elementary School gym teacher who abused 3 young boys.

An experienced Illinois school sexual assault lawyer at Sokolove Law can pursue claims against both public school districts and private institutions that failed to properly screen, supervise, or report abusive staff.

Illinois Sexual Assault in Sports Lawyer

Youth sports organizations across Illinois have faced allegations that coaches, trainers, or other trusted adults sexually abused the young athletes in their care.

Illinois sexual assault in sports cases we handle may involve:

• Club and travel sports teams
• School-sponsored athletics
• Sports medicine and training staff
• Youth soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, and swim programs

One of the most well-known Illinois sexual abuse cases involves Rick Butler, a longtime volleyball coach and founder of an Aurora-based club, who has faced allegations that he raped at least 6 girls he coached beginning in 1981.

An Illinois sexual assault in sports attorney can pursue claims against the coach, the club, or the sanctioning organization if it failed to properly vet or monitor those with access to young athletes.

Illinois Uber & Lyft Sexual Assault Lawyer

Millions of Illinois residents rely on rideshare services every year, trusting drivers to get them home safely. Unfortunately, sexual assaults by rideshare drivers have led to lawsuits across the state, including cases in the Chicago area and its suburbs.

Illinois Uber and Lyft sexual assault lawsuits may involve:

• Assault during a ride or after a driver deviated from the route
• Drivers who targeted intoxicated or otherwise vulnerable passengers
• Failure to remove drivers after prior complaints
• Inadequate driver background checks

Thousands of similar cases against Uber and Lyft have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation as survivors await justice.

How to File an Illinois Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Filing an Illinois sexual abuse lawsuit typically involves working with an attorney to determine your eligibility to take legal action, followed by an investigation to gather evidence and identify responsible parties. From there, your attorney will file the claim and seek compensation.

With an experienced attorney at Sokolove Law doing the heavy lifting, you can focus on your physical and emotional well-being.

Our Illinois sexual abuse lawyers can:

• Provide a free case review to determine whether you may qualify to file Illinois sex abuse claims
• Investigate your case by gathering medical records, witness statements, and institutional documents
• Identify every potentially responsible party, including individual abusers and institutions that enabled or concealed the abuse
• File your claims before the statute of limitations for Illinois sexual assault​
• Negotiate a settlement that reflects your injuries and losses
• Represent you in court if a fair settlement can't be reached

You don't have to navigate the legal process alone. Our Illinois sex abuse attorneys have the experience and resources to take on powerful institutions while supporting you throughout the process.

Compensation from a sexual abuse lawsuit can help cover therapy, medical care, lost income, and other costs related to the abuse while providing greater financial security for the future.

Illinois Sexual Abuse Settlements & Verdicts

Illinois has seen some of the largest sexual abuse settlements and verdicts in the country in recent years, driven in part by the state's survivor-friendly filing deadlines and a series of high-profile investigations into institutional abuse.

Notable Illinois sexual abuse settlements and verdicts include:

• $453 Million Endeavor Health / Dr. Fabio Ortega sexual abuse settlements
• $400 Million Archdiocese of Chicago clergy abuse settlements
• $19.3 Million Logan Correctional Center sexual assault verdict
• $17.5 Million Chicago Public Schools sexual abuse settlement
• $6.3 Million Diocese of Belleville clergy abuse verdict and settlement
• $5.4 Million Archdiocese of Chicago clergy abuse settlements
• $2 Million Chicago Public Schools gym teacher sexual abuse settlement
• $800,000 Chicago Public Schools teacher sexual abuse settlement

While every case is different, these results show that survivors can secure meaningful compensation when institutions fail to protect the people in their care.

$453 Million Endeavor Health Sexual Abuse Settlement

In November 2024, Endeavor Health disclosed that they was setting aside up to $453 Million to resolve dozens of lawsuits alleging that former OB-GYN Dr. Fabio Ortega sexually abused patients for decades.

More than 300 women accused Ortega of inappropriate exams and comments at NorthShore University HealthSystem and Swedish Covenant Hospital. Lawsuits alleged that hospital administrators ignored complaints for years.

By early 2025, the majority of the approximately 60 pending lawsuits had reached settlements, though the exact terms of individual payouts were not disclosed.

$400 Million Archdiocese of Chicago Settlements

The Archdiocese of Chicago has paid more than $400 Million to resolve clergy sexual abuse claims since the early 2000s, making it one of the largest cumulative clergy abuse payouts among Illinois' Catholic dioceses.

The 2023 Illinois Attorney General's report found that about 2,000 children had been abused by 451 clergy members statewide since 1950 — more than 4 times the number the church had previously acknowledged publicly.

New Illinois clergy sex abuse settlements continue to be reached as additional survivors come forward.

$19.3 Million Logan Correctional Center Verdict

In 2023, a federal jury awarded $19.3 Million to a former Logan Correctional Center inmate who said a prison counselor sexually assaulted her repeatedly between 2015 and 2018.

The woman's Illinois sexual assault in prison attorneys alleged systemic sexual abuse at Logan, Illinois' primary women's prison, where internal records reportedly show dozens of abuse complaints filed by incarcerated women in recent years.

$17.5 Million Chicago Public Schools Settlement

In December 2025, the Chicago Board of Education approved a $17.5 Million settlement, believed to be the largest school sexual abuse settlement in Illinois history, for a former student who was allegedly sexually abused by a school dean starting when she was 15.

The Illinois school sex abuse lawsuit claimed that the girl was abused by former dean of discipline Brian Crowder beginning when she was 15 years old and a student at Little Village Lawndale High School.

"I just wasn't like a normal high school student. Like, I just felt, like, different. I felt like I grew up, like, so much faster."
– Illinois School Sexual Abuse Survivor

Since 2017, at least 7 educators have been fired or resigned from the high school while being investigated for sexual misconduct, according to an NBC 5 investigation.

$6.3 Million Diocese of Belleville Clergy Abuse Settlement

The Diocese of Belleville reportedly paid $6.3 Million to a survivor who alleged former priest Raymond Kownacki sexually abused him for 5 years during the 1970s, beginning when he was a child.

A St. Clair County jury originally awarded the survivor $5 Million. The award accumulated roughly $1.3 Million in interest during years of appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court declined to hear the diocese’s appeal.

Kownacki was removed from ministry in 1995 following multiple allegations of sexual abuse. A separate lawsuit involving Kownacki reportedly settled for $1.2 Million two years earlier.

$5.4 Million Archdiocese of Chicago Sexual Abuse Settlements

The Archdiocese of Chicago agreed to pay a total of $5.4 Million to settle claims from 9 survivors who alleged they were sexually abused as children by 8 Chicago-area priests.

The alleged clergy abuse in Illinois occurred from the 1970s through the 1990s, when the survivors were between 6 and 14 years old. Two of the settlements involved allegations against the same priest.

Four of the eight priests were not listed on the Archdiocese’s list of Catholic priests accused of abuse in Illinois​, according to reports.

“Nobody’s paying that kind of money for something that didn’t happen. This is validation that it happened.”
– Illinois Catholic Priest Abuse Attorney​

$2 Million Chicago Public Schools Sexual Abuse Settlement

In 2024, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Board of Education reached a $2 Million settlement with 3 former Lorca Elementary School students who alleged they were groomed and sexually abused by a gym teacher.

Andre Castro was accused of befriending the boys' Spanish-speaking parents to gain access to them.

"He would take them to the movies and the bowling alley. He introduced himself to the family of these children and gained their trust by offering to do work, for example at their house."
– Illinois School Sexual Assault Attorney​

The boys were between 8 and 11 years old when the alleged abuse began in 2017. The federal lawsuit claimed school staff failed to protect the students despite warning signs and complaints about the man's conduct.

The teacher was later charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a child and was no longer employed by CPS when the settlement was announced.

$800,000 Chicago Public Schools Sexual Abuse Settlement

In 2024, Chicago Public Schools agreed to an $800,000 settlement with a former Gurdon S. Hubbard High School student who alleged she was sexually abused by a teacher about two decades earlier.

The survivor filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education and former teacher Walter Glascoff in 2019. "I still have nightmares almost every night," she said.

Illinois Sexual Abuse Lawsuit News & Updates

Sexual abuse lawsuits across Illinois continue to result in significant settlements and new developments involving schools, religious organizations, detention facilities, and other institutions.

These cases can result in compensation while also bringing greater attention to allegations of institutional failures and misconduct.

Recent Illinois sexual abuse lawsuit developments and news include:

• September 18, 2026: A former central Illinois softball coach who faced sexual assault charges in Tazewell and Woodford counties died after being found unresponsive in his jail cell. He had been accused of sexually assaulting a player multiple times over several years.
• September 16, 2026: A former FCI Thomson correctional officer was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing two inmates.
• September 15, 2026: The National Women’s Soccer League reported 8 complaints involving sexual misconduct, harassment, or retaliation during the first half of 2026. The disclosures were filed with the Illinois Attorney General and other jurisdictions as required under a $5 Million settlement.
• August 20, 2026: A former Maroa-Forsyth School District teacher pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a 16-year-old boy in 2023. She faces up to 5 years in prison.
• August 4, 2026: An Illinois State Police trooper was charged with felony criminal sexual assault following a yearlong investigation into an incident involving a woman who authorities said was unable to give knowing consent.
• June 16, 2026: The FBI joined a sexual abuse investigation involving a school in Aurora and asked other potential victims to come forward as authorities investigated whether additional students may have been abused.
• May 8, 2026: A Carterville High School teacher and assistant football coach was charged with 9 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving at least 8 student athletes. Authorities alleged the abuse occurred from 2013 to 2015 and involved students ages 13-17 on the school’s football team.
• November 8, 2025: An Aurora middle school teacher was charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a former student. Prosecutors alleged the teacher abused her position of authority to engage in sexual conduct with the student.
• September 17, 2025: Seven current and formerly incarcerated women filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and retaliation by staff at Logan Correctional Center. The lawsuits claim some women faced disciplinary action or solitary confinement after reporting abuse, while other reports were allegedly ignored.
• June 17, 2025: A former Downers Grove South High School teacher was indicted on 52 additional charges involving the alleged sexual abuse and assault of a student. The teacher had previously been charged with having an inappropriate sexual relationship with the student.
• May 23, 2023: An Illinois Attorney General investigation found that 451 Catholic clergy members sexually abused 1,997 children across the state between 1950 and 2019. The investigation identified more than 4 times as many accused clergy as Illinois Catholic dioceses had publicly listed when the review began.

These cases show the wide range of circumstances in which sexual abuse claims can arise across Illinois. Illinois State laws give survivors important rights and protections, including the ability to pursue civil claims and, in many cases, additional time to take legal action.

Illinois Sexual Abuse Laws

Illinois has passed several laws in recent decades to help survivors of sexual abuse pursue justice, extend filing deadlines, and strengthen reporting requirements meant to protect children.

These laws can affect how long survivors have to file a civil lawsuit, who may be held responsible for abuse, and what organizations must do when abuse is suspected or reported. Find out more about the latest Illinois sex abuse laws.

Illinois Childhood Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

Illinois has significantly expanded the time available to pursue civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, qualifying lawsuits based on childhood sexual abuse may now be filed at any time, although the law generally does not revive claims that had already expired before the change eliminating the deadline took effect.

The law also recognizes that survivors may not immediately understand the connection between childhood abuse and injuries discovered later in life.

Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act​ (ANCRA)

The Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act​ (325 ILCS 5/4) requires certain professionals, known as mandated reporters, to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Common mandated reporters under ANCRA include:

• Clergy members
• Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers
• Law enforcement officers
• Social workers and counselors
• Teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel

Under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Reporting Act,​ mandated reporters don't need proof that abuse occurred — reasonable cause to believe a child is being abused or neglected is enough to trigger the duty to report.

When a mandated reporter or an institution fails to report known or suspected abuse, that failure can become an important part of a survivor's civil case.

Faith's Law and Sexual Abuse in Illinois Schools

Signed in 2021 and named for survivor Faith Colson, Faith's Law (105 ILCS 5/22-85.5) strengthened protections against sexual abuse and grooming in Illinois schools.

Faith's Law in Illinois:

• Requires every school district, charter school, and nonpublic school to adopt a public employee code of professional conduct addressing staff-student boundaries
• Expanded the legal definition of "grooming" to include in-person conduct, not just online communication
• Added "grooming" to the list of conduct that qualifies a child as an "abused child" under ANCRA
• Requires schools to review an employee's full employment history before hiring, to catch prior misconduct that may have been reported elsewhere

Faith’s Law is intended to help Illinois schools identify inappropriate behavior earlier and prevent employees accused of misconduct from moving between schools undetected.

Criminal Sexual Assault Laws​ in Illinois

Under the Illinois Criminal Sexual Assault Act, sexual assault laws in Illinois generally break offenses into several categories. These laws define prohibited sexual conduct and the circumstances that can make an offense more serious.

While criminal charges are separate from a civil sexual abuse lawsuit, the same conduct may sometimes result in both criminal prosecution and a civil claim for compensation.

The three main categories of criminal sexual assault in Illinois include:

• Criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.20): Sexual penetration involving force or threat of force, an inability to consent, a family relationship with a minor victim, or an adult in a position of trust over a victim age 13 to 17
• Aggravated criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.30): Criminal sexual assault involving an aggravating factor, such as a weapon, bodily harm, or a victim who is 60 or older or has a disability
• Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (720 ILCS 5/11-1.40): Sexual contact or penetration involving a victim under 13 committed by someone 17 or older

A conviction on the two more serious charges can eliminate the civil filing deadline entirely for adult survivors, making the criminal case outcome directly relevant to a civil claim.

Illinois Sexual Abuse Statistics

Sexual violence affects thousands of Illinois residents, but the full scope can be difficult to measure because many assaults are never reported to law enforcement.

An estimated 58.3% of Illinois women and 34% of men reported experiencing sexual violence during their lifetime, according to the state's Community Needs Assessment.

Find out more about Illinois sex abuse statistics:

• The Community Needs Assessment found that 23.9% of Illinois women reported completed or attempted rape.
• An estimated 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before turning 18. Applied to Illinois’ child population, that would represent roughly 293,000 children abused across the state, according to the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois.
• In 2017, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received 7,743 reports of child sexual abuse. About 25% of those reports were “indicated,” meaning an investigation found credible evidence that abuse occurred.
• Among Illinois high school students, 11.6% reported experiencing sexual violence during the previous 12 months, 7.8% reported experiencing sexual dating violence, and 8.8% reported having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse, as per the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
• Since 2022, Chicago Public Schools has spent $13 Million resolving sexual misconduct cases, including $8.12 Million involving employee-on-student abuse.
• Incarcerated individuals filed 223 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) complaints alleging sexual abuse at Logan Correctional Center from 2021 through 2025, according to allegations cited in federal litigation. Of those complaints, 85 involved allegations that Logan staff sexually abused incarcerated individuals.
• According to lawsuits filed on behalf of former detainees, 907 cases alleging sexual abuse at Illinois youth detention facilities were filed involving alleged incidents from 1996 through 2023.
• Nearly 70% of the alleged abuse occurred at Illinois Youth Center facilities, while 31.4% occurred at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.
• Attorneys representing the former detainees reported that 86% of the alleged victims were boys. Most were between ages 14 and 16 when the alleged abuse occurred, although some were as young as 9.
• A 2023 investigation by the Illinois Attorney General identified 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers who sexually abused at least 1,997 children across Illinois’ 6 Catholic dioceses.
• Before the investigation, Illinois Catholic dioceses had publicly identified only 103 clergy members with substantiated child sexual abuse allegations, compared with the 451 identified in the Attorney General’s report.
• The Archdiocese of Chicago reported in 2026 that it had paid more than $400 Million in compensation to clergy sexual abuse survivors over the previous 4 decades.

These statistics may not capture every instance of sexual abuse. Survivors may choose not to report what happened because of fear, shame, threats, concerns that they will not be believed, or other barriers to coming forward.

Get Help from Our Sexual Assault Attorneys in Illinois

Coming forward about sexual abuse can be difficult, especially when the alleged abuse involves a trusted institution or happened many years ago.

Illinois law may allow survivors to seek compensation and accountability even decades after childhood sexual abuse occurred.

At Sokolove Law, our Illinois sexual abuse attorneys can investigate allegations involving schools, churches, detention facilities, and other organizations that may have failed to prevent or respond appropriately to abuse.

If you’re unsure whether you can still file a lawsuit, we can review what happened and determine which Illinois laws and filing rules may apply. You pay nothing upfront, and there are no hourly fees.

Call us at (800) 995-1212 or complete our online form for a free case review. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you take the next step.

Illinois Sexual Abuse Attorney FAQs