Last reviewed: October 9, 2026
Who can bring a claim
Eligibility for this claim generally requires that you were born after July 24, 1983 and experienced sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by staff at an Illinois juvenile facility. Situations vary — final eligibility is determined after a free, confidential review.
We focus on holding institutions accountable for abuse committed by authority figures—such as guards, staff members, medical personnel, and counselors. We generally do not handle cases involving altercations between two detainees.
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.
Step by step: what happens after you reach out
- A free, confidential review. You can start without giving your name. You do not need a police report — or any documentation — to speak with us.
- Records and evidence. Our investigative team works to gather evidence, locate records, identify witnesses, and build a comprehensive case on your behalf.
- Filing in the right court. Where a claim is filed depends on who ran the facility and who the claim is against; the table below shows the pattern in the cases reported so far. For claims against the State, see how the Illinois Court of Claims works.
- Evidence and hearings. Cases proceed through filing, evidence gathering, and resolution by settlement or judgment. In the Court of Claims, the court may assign a case to a commissioner, an Illinois-licensed attorney appointed by the court, for hearing and final decision, subject to whatever review the court's rules provide.1
- You stay in control. There is no obligation, and you remain in control of every decision about whether and how to move forward.
Who the claim is against, and where it is filed
Who runs each kind of facility, and where claims are filed:
| Facilities | Run by | Where claims are filed |
|---|---|---|
| State-run Illinois Youth Centers (IYCs), including youth centers that have since closed2,4,5 | Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (the State)4 | Illinois Court of Claims1,5 |
| Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), the “Audy Home” | Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County6 | Circuit Court of Cook County (claims against county defendants); Illinois Court of Claims (claims against the State)2,3 |
| County juvenile detention centers, including River Valley (Will County), Hulse (Lake County) and Mary Davis Home (Knox County) | County-operated, not part of the State's IDJJ system4 | Depends on the facility and the facts. Our attorneys are investigating claims of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by staff. |
These are allegations. General information only, not legal advice. Attorney Advertising.
For residential treatment centers and foster care, see our pages on residential treatment and foster care.
Youth centers that have since closed
A lawsuit filed in September 2024 describes abuse at nine state-run youth detention centers.2 A complaint filed in the Illinois Court of Claims in May 2024 alleged abuse at all nine state youth centers that were open between 1996 and 2017, including the centers in Joliet and Kewanee.5 Joliet and Kewanee do not appear on IDJJ's current list of six facilities.4 If you were held at a youth center that has since closed, a free, confidential review can tell you whether a claim is possible.
Will my name be public?
Is there a deadline?
Illinois has changed its filing deadlines for childhood sexual abuse several times over the years. Under the current law (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2), survivors born after July 24, 1983 may generally file a civil claim at any time — including for abuse that happened decades ago.7
Every deadline here is general guidance. Whether a specific claim is timely depends on the facts of that case and requires review with an attorney — a free, confidential review can tell you where you stand.
| Born after July 24, 1983 | May generally file at any time — a free, confidential case review can tell you quickly |
| Claims involving government facilities | Time limits may apply to claims against state-run or county facilities; talk with an attorney. |
General information only. Timeliness depends on individual facts, and claims against the State involve additional procedural requirements. Attorney Advertising.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer about this?
No. Consultations are free and confidential. Cases of this kind are typically handled on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee unless there is a recovery.
Questions people ask
Do I need a police report or records to start?
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.
What if I was held at the Audy Home?
The “Audy Home” is the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, which the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge oversees.6 Claims arising from the JTDC have been brought against Cook County, the State of Illinois, and the Office of the Chief Judge.2,3 Read more about Cook County JTDC (Audy Home) abuse claims.