Last reviewed: October 9, 2026
What the Court of Claims is
The court was created by a state law, the Court of Claims Act.1 It has seven judges, who must be attorneys licensed to practice law in Illinois; the Governor appoints them with the advice and consent of the Senate, and one serves as chief justice.1 By law, the Illinois Secretary of State serves as the court's clerk.1 These are civil claims for money damages, separate from any criminal case.
Why claims about the state youth centers are filed there
The Illinois Youth Centers are run by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), which today serves youth in six secure facilities.2 Because the youth centers are State-run, claims are brought against the State of Illinois in the Illinois Court of Claims.1
Beginning in May 2024, civil complaints filed in the Illinois Court of Claims on behalf of former detainees allege sexual abuse by staff at Illinois youth centers going back to the mid-1990s.3,4 The May 2024 complaint alleged abuse at all nine state youth centers that were open between 1996 and 2017, including the centers in Joliet and Kewanee, which have closed.3 A filing in September 2024 named the State, the Illinois Department of Corrections and IDJJ, and described abuse at nine state-run youth detention centers.4 These are allegations.
Pages on the state youth centers: IYC Chicago abuse claims · IYC Harrisburg abuse claims · IYC Pere Marquette abuse claims · IYC St. Charles abuse claims · IYC Warrenville abuse claims. For youth centers that have closed, see how a claim works, step by step.
How cases are decided
Generally, four of the seven judges must agree to decide a case.1 The court may also assign a case to a commissioner, an Illinois-licensed attorney the court appoints, for hearing and final decision, subject to whatever review the court's rules provide.1 The court may hold its sessions where it decides, or remotely.1 When a case is finally decided, the court or commissioner generally files a written opinion, and the clerk compiles and publishes the opinions each year.1 In the complaints reported so far, most claimants are identified only by their initials or by pseudonyms.3,4
The Cook County JTDC is different
The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, the “Audy Home,” is not one of IDJJ's youth centers; the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge oversees its administration.2,5 Claims arising from the JTDC have been brought against Cook County, the State of Illinois, and the Office of the Chief Judge; claims against the State proceed in the Illinois Court of Claims, while claims against county defendants proceed in the circuit court.4,6 Read more about Cook County JTDC (Audy Home) abuse claims.
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
Who decides cases in the Court of Claims?
The court has seven judges, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and generally four must agree to decide a case.1 The court may also assign a case to a commissioner, an Illinois-licensed attorney it appoints, for hearing and final decision, subject to whatever review the court's rules provide.1
Do I have to go to Springfield?
Not necessarily. State law lets the court hold its sessions where it decides, or remotely.1 Your lawyers handle the filing and will tell you if and when you need to take part.
Are Court of Claims decisions public?
The court's written opinions are generally compiled and published each year.1 In the complaints reported so far, most claimants are identified only by their initials or by pseudonyms.3,4 Your consultation with us is free and completely confidential, and contacting us does not make anything public.
Is this the same as a criminal case?
No. These are civil claims for money damages, separate from any criminal case. 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.