Slater Slater Schulman LLP
Investigation Open

Illinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette

Grafton, IL (Jersey County)

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We are currently reviewing claims involving sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by staff in Illinois juvenile facilities.

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The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

Illinois Youth Center Pere Marquette is a treatment facility for juvenile males located in Grafton, Illinois. The facility was included in the Department of Justice's National Survey of Youth in Custody that found Illinois among the worst states for juvenile detention abuse. If you were abused at this facility, you may be entitled to compensation.

Important: Time limits apply to filing claims. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

See If You QualifyCall 516-914-5118
Free Confidential Same-day

Were you abused at IYC Pere Marquette?

You may be eligible for compensation. Speaking with us is free and confidential.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Available 24/7 · 516-914-5118

Confidential

All consultations are completely confidential

Proven Results

$4B+ recovered for abuse survivors

Experienced Team

3,500+ survivors represented

40+ Years

Decades of experience fighting for justice

Who May Have a Claim

  • You were detained or held in custody at IYC Pere Marquette
  • You experienced sexual abuse by a guard, counselor, medical staff, or other facility employee
  • The abuser was acting in their role at the facility when the abuse occurred
  • You can identify the abuser by name, nickname, or detailed description
  • You know the approximate time period when the abuse occurred

Your Legal Options

If you were abused at IYC Pere Marquette, you may be entitled to compensation. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, survivors of childhood sexual abuse born on or after July 24, 1983 may generally file at any time.

For survivors born earlier, eligibility depends on narrower, fact-specific exceptions.

Because IYC Pere Marquette was State-operated, separate and often shorter deadlines can apply — these claims are especially time-sensitive.

There is no cost to file a claim. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Not sure if you qualify? Start a free, confidential review

What happens when you reach out

Three quiet steps, on your terms

  • 1
    You tell us as much or as little as you want.A confidential conversation with our team — by phone or online. You stay in control of the pace.
  • 2
    We review whether you have a claim.At no cost, against the facts and the law — and we tell you honestly either way.
  • 3
    You decide what happens next.There's no cost to speak with us, and you're never obligated to move forward.
See If You Qualify Call Now

Time Limits

Time limits can apply to these claims, and they depend on your specific situation. The sooner you reach out, the more we may be able to do — and speaking with us is free and confidential.

About the facility

About IYC Pere Marquette

Illinois Youth Center Pere Marquette is a treatment facility for juvenile males operated by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). Located in Grafton, Illinois—a remote area in Jersey County along the Mississippi River—the facility provides specialized treatment programs for male youth offenders.

The facility was formerly operated as a boot camp-style program with punitive treatment approaches. Its isolated location, similar to IYC Harrisburg, created barriers to oversight and family visitation that allowed abuse to persist.

IYC Pere Marquette was one of seven Illinois Youth Center facilities examined by the DOJ's Bureau of Justice Statistics in its 2012 National Survey of Youth in Custody, published in June 2013. BJS identified Illinois as one of four states with high rates of reported sexual victimization in juvenile facilities.

In that survey, 15.4% of youth in Illinois state custody reported experiencing sexual victimization — about 60% above the 9.5% national average. The federal investigation raised concerns about retaliation against youth who reported abuse, further discouraging victims from coming forward.

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice - Official

IYC Pere Marquette is a treatment facility for juvenile males. The facility was selected as the 2023 winner of the PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for work in family engagement.

Source: IDJJ Official Website

DOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics (2013)

The DOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics' 2012 National Survey of Youth in Custody (published June 2013) examined conditions at seven Illinois Youth Center facilities, including Pere Marquette. BJS identified Illinois as one of four states with high rates of reported sexual victimization: 15.4% of Illinois youth in state custody reported sexual victimization versus a 9.5% national average, and 13.7% reported staff sexual misconduct versus 7.7% nationally.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

Types of Abuse Reported

Sexual Abuse by Staff

Sexual assault and misconduct by staff members in positions of authority.

Physical Abuse

Excessive force and punitive treatment, particularly during the boot camp era.

Isolation from Support

Remote location created barriers to family visits and external oversight.

Failure to Investigate

Complaints ignored and systemic failure to hold abusers accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this confidential?+

Yes. Your consultation is free and completely confidential. Many survivors choose to proceed using a pseudonym, and contacting us does not make anything public. You decide what to share and when.

Do I need a police report?+

No. You do not need a police report — or any documentation — to speak with us. Many survivors never reported what happened, and that does not affect your ability to come forward now.

What if I don't remember exact dates?+

That's completely okay. Memories of trauma are rarely tidy. You do not need precise dates — our team can help reconstruct a timeline from records and other information.

Does contacting you start a lawsuit?+

No. Reaching out simply starts a confidential conversation with our intake team. There is no obligation, and you remain in control of every decision about whether and how to move forward.

You Are Not Alone. We're Here to Help.

Survivors from across Illinois are coming forward. Your story matters, and speaking with us is free and confidential.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Other Facilities Under Investigation

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IYC St. Charles

St. Charles, IL

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IYC Harrisburg

Harrisburg, IL

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IYC Warrenville

Warrenville, IL

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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

We are currently reviewing claims involving sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by staff in Illinois juvenile facilities.

🔒 Confidential💰 No cost⚡ Same-day response

The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.