Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Staff in Illinois Juvenile Detention
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Were you born after July 24, 1983? *
The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Our lawyers represent survivors of sexual misconduct by guards, counselors, and facility employees at Cook County JTDC, IDJJ Youth Centers, and facilities across Illinois. We're here to listen and help you take action.
This claim is for survivors born after July 24, 1983.
Filing a Juvenile Detention Abuse Lawsuit in Illinois
If a guard or other staff member sexually abused you while you were held in an Illinois juvenile detention center or youth center, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit.
A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal case. It asks a court to hold the staff member — and, in many cases, the facility or agency that employed or supervised them — responsible, and it can seek compensation for what you went through.
Our lawyers represent survivors of sexual abuse by guards, counselors, and other staff at Cook County JTDC, IDJJ Youth Centers, and facilities across Illinois. You can talk to us even if you never reported the abuse at the time, and even if the staff member was never charged or convicted.
Your case review is free and confidential.
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All consultations are completely confidential
Proven Results
$1B+ recovered for clients
Experienced Team
3,500+ survivors represented
40+ Years
Decades of experience fighting for justice
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How We Help
Free Confidential Consultation
Share your story in a safe, judgment-free conversation. Your privacy is protected.
Investigation and Evidence Building
Our team gathers records, identifies witnesses, and builds a comprehensive case.
Negotiation or Filing the Lawsuit
We pursue maximum compensation through settlement or aggressive litigation.
No Fees Unless We Win
You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
Illinois Juvenile Detention Lawsuits at a Glance
By mid-2025, more than 900 former detainees had filed claims alleging sexual abuse by staff at Illinois youth facilities.1 Who runs each kind of facility, and where claims are filed:
| Facilities | Run by | Where claims are filed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| State-run Illinois Youth Centers (IYCs) | Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (the State)2 | Illinois Court of Claims3 | Lawsuits filed since May 2024 allege sexual abuse by staff3 |
| Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), the “Audy Home” | Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County4 | Circuit Court of Cook County (claims against county defendants); Illinois Court of Claims (claims against the State)5,6 | Lawsuits filed since July 2024 allege sexual abuse by staff7; by August 2026, 400 people had filed sex abuse lawsuits against the detention center, Cook County and the Chief Judge's Office8 |
| County juvenile detention centers, including River Valley (Will County), Hulse (Lake County) and Mary Davis (Knox County) | County-operated, not part of the State's IDJJ system2 | Depends on the facility and the facts | Investigation open: our attorneys are investigating claims of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by staff |
These are allegations. General information only, not legal advice. Attorney Advertising.
Sources & authorities (8)+
- 1.Former juvenile inmates claiming sexual abuse by staff in Illinois grows to more than 900 — NBC 5 Chicago, July 16, 2025 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
- 2.Facilities — Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (accessed September 29, 2026)Official .gov source ↩
- 3.Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers — Capitol News Illinois, May 7, 2024 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
- 4.Juvenile Temporary Detention Program — Circuit Court of Cook County (accessed September 29, 2026)Official .gov source ↩
- 5.Hundreds sue over alleged sexual abuse at Illinois youth detention centers — Associated Press (via NBC Chicago), September 24, 2024 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
- 6.Survivors of child abuse at Illinois youth detention centers file more lawsuits in hopes of change — Associated Press (via KSAT), February 11, 2025 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
- 7.Nearly 200 people allege decades of 'systematic' abuse at youth jail in Chicago — Capitol News Illinois, July 24, 2024 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
- 8.Survivors detail alleged sexual abuse at Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center as hundreds of lawsuits loom — CBS News Chicago, August 30, 2026 (accessed September 29, 2026) ↩
Facilities Under Investigation
Our attorneys are investigating sexual abuse claims at juvenile detention facilities across Illinois
Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center
Also known as the Audy Home. One of the largest juvenile detention facilities in the nation with documented sexual abuse by staff spanning decades.
About Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention CenterIllinois Youth Center - Chicago
IDJJ facility with reports of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse by guards and staff members.
About Illinois Youth Center - ChicagoIllinois Youth Center - Harrisburg
Remote facility where isolation from families and oversight failures created conditions for sexual abuse by staff.
About Illinois Youth Center - HarrisburgIllinois Youth Center - St. Charles
Multi-security level facility with documented incidents of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by staff members.
About Illinois Youth Center - St. CharlesIllinois Youth Center - Warrenville
Female youth facility with reports of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse by staff members.
About Illinois Youth Center - WarrenvilleIllinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette
Minimum-security youth center for boys with documented cases of sexual abuse by staff and employees.
About Illinois Youth Center - Pere MarquetteCounty Facilities Under Investigation
We are actively investigating claims of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by staff at county-level detention centers across Illinois. If you were held at any of these locations, contact us immediately.
Who Can File a Claim?
Illinois law provides options for survivors of juvenile detention abuse to seek justice, even for abuse that occurred years ago.
- To be eligible for this claim, you must have been born after July 24, 1983.
- You were detained in an Illinois juvenile facility
- You experienced sexual abuse by staff members, guards, counselors, or facility employees
- The abuse involved unwanted sexual touching or contact by staff
- You know or can identify the staff member who committed the abuse
- You experienced retaliation for reporting staff sexual abuse
Illinois Statute of Limitations
Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2), survivors of childhood sexual abuse who were born after July 24, 1983 may generally file a civil claim at any time, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Claims against state-run or county facilities can have separate time limits.
For survivors born before July 24, 1983, eligibility depends on narrower, fact-specific exceptions, such as when the injury was discovered and any pause in the limitations period.
Check Your EligibilityWho We Are
Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a prominent full-service law firm with over 40 years of experience representing survivors of catastrophic and traumatic events, including litigating against the Boy Scouts, clergy, medical professionals, and members of the justice system.
The attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP take a personal approach to representation. We are here to ensure that survivors have the opportunity to confront their past with the full support of our large legal team.
We are honored to have represented more than 3,500 survivors in the historic $4 billion settlement with Los Angeles County—the largest of its kind in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to file a claim?
How much does it cost to file a claim?
Can I file a claim if the abuse happened years ago?
Will my identity be kept confidential?
What if I don't have documentation of the abuse?
How long does a case take?
What compensation can I receive?
Facilities We Are Investigating
Our attorneys are actively investigating abuse claims at juvenile detention facilities across Illinois
State Facilities
- • IYC Chicago
- • IYC Harrisburg
- • IYC Pere Marquette
- • IYC Warrenville
County Centers
- • Cook County (JTDC)
- • Kane County
- • Winnebago County
- • Lake County (Hulse)
- • Will County (River Valley)
- • Champaign County
- • Peoria County
- • LaSalle County
- • Madison County
- • St. Clair County
- • Sangamon County
- • Vermilion County
- • Franklin County
- • Mary Davis Detention Home
- • Adams County
As Featured In
Do You Qualify?
Tell us what happened. Your review is free and confidential, and we'll tell you honestly whether you may have a claim.
Free Case Evaluation
Were you born after July 24, 1983? *
The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
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