For far too long, the state of Illinois has allowed a pervasive culture of physical and sexual abuse to fester unchecked within its youth detention centers.
Extensive federal investigations, criminal prosecutions, and high-profile Illinois juvenile detention center lawsuits have shone a spotlight on the horrific endemic conditions that vulnerable incarcerated youth have been subjected to for decades.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse while in an Illinois juvenile detention center, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the harm inflicted upon you through an Illinois detention center sexual abuse lawsuit.
Contact a compassionate and caring Illinois personal injury lawyer from Dolman Law Group today to discuss your case during a free and confidential consultation.
Federal Investigations Involving Illinois Detention Centers
In 2013, a U.S. Department of Justice survey examining seven Illinois youth detention facilities made the shocking revelation—Illinois ranked among the four worst states in the nation for juvenile inmate abuse.
An appalling 15% of youth across Illinois facilities reported suffering sexual abuse, a rate 35% higher than the already unacceptable national average. Staff misconduct was identified as the primary driver behind Illinois' sky-high abuse rates.
The DOJ's Bureau of Justice Statistics found that between 2009-2012, numerous facilities saw their already high rates of staff sexual abuse increase even further:
- IYC Harrisburg: 11.8% to 14.7%
- IYC Joliet: 13.9% to an astonishing 20% (over double the national average)
- IYC Kewanee: 5.7% to 12%
These disturbing DOJ findings corroborate patterns seen in other criminal cases and lawsuits, showing that the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and its facilities have consistently failed in their duty to properly investigate complaints, discipline abusive staff, and protect the youth in their custody.
Trouble Record of Sexual Abuse at Juvenile Detention Centers in Illinois
In May 2024, a group of 95 people filed a lawsuit in Illinois claiming state employees sexually abused them as children in juvenile detention centers across the state from 1996 to 2017.
The lawsuit reported incidents of gang rape, forced oral sex, beatings, and groping of children by corrections officers, sergeants, nurses, therapists, a chaplain, and others at nine youth centers across the state. Many of the men and women who brought the lawsuit claim they were threatened or rewarded to remain silent about the widespread abuse.
The reports of sexual abuse date back over two decades. Some of the state-run juvenile centers with the most troubling records of sexual abuse include:
- IYC Joliet (closed 2013): At this maximum-security facility, a guard was sentenced to 6 years for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old in 2008.
- IYC St. Charles: In 2021, a juvenile specialist pled guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor resident.
- IYC Warrenville (co-ed): In 2000, a teacher was convicted for abusing two teens. In 2006, a supervisor was convicted of sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl.
- IYC Kewanee (closed 2016): Understaffing enabled abuse at this remote facility housing many youth with mental illness.
- IYC Murphysboro (closed 2013): In 2003, a kitchen supervisor was arrested for sexually abusing several youth "cadets."
The Illinois lawsuit comes amid growing concerns about child sexual abuse in juvenile justice facilities in Illinois and across the nation. According to the Department of Justice’s National Survey of Youth in Custody, children in these facilities experience “higher rates of sexual victimization than adults in prisons or jails.”
Incarcerated children deserve safety and proper care, not trauma and abuse that devastates their lives. By enabling systemic sexual abuse, the state of Illinois has catastrophically failed in this basic responsibility. Survivors deserve justice and accountability through civil lawsuits against the IDJJ and individual perpetrators.
What Constitutes "Sexual Abuse or Assault"?
In legal terms, sexual abuse or sexual assault is defined as any form of sexual contact or touching that occurs without consent and is driven by sexual intent. When a case involves a child, the lack of consent is automatically satisfied, as children are legally incapable of giving consent. The sexual intent element requires that the touching involve intimate body parts and be motivated by the desire for sexual gratification.
Holding Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers Accountable for Sexual Abuse
Individuals who have suffered sexual abuse or assault while in the custody of an Illinois juvenile facility or detention center have the right to seek financial compensation through a civil lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. The IDJJ can be held responsible for its negligence in failing to adequately protect the victim or prevent the abuse from occurring.
In most instances, sexual abuse takes place within the facility and is perpetrated by staff members, clearly establishing the IDJJ's liability for the incident. However, even in cases where another inmate or juvenile commits the abuse or assault, the IDJJ can still be held accountable for not providing sufficient protection to those in its care.
The Role of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act
Illinois' Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA) is a crucial piece of legislation designed to safeguard children by requiring certain professionals and institutions to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
The Act defines abuse as physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional harm inflicted on a child by a caregiver. At the same time, neglect encompasses a caregiver's failure to provide adequate supervision, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
Under ANCRA, mandated reporters include medical professionals, teachers, social workers, law enforcement officers, and childcare providers.
These individuals are obligated to immediately report to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) via a dedicated hotline or other designated channels if they have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect of a child they encounter in their professional or official capacity.
The Act offers protection from liability for mandated reporters who make good-faith reports and maintain the confidentiality of their identities, with certain exceptions. Institutions that fail to adhere to these reporting requirements can face penalties, underscoring the importance of accountability and vigilance in ensuring the well-being of children.
ANCRA requires juvenile detention facilities to not only conduct internal investigations into alleged sexual abuse but also to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities. By mandating this dual responsibility, the Act seeks to ensure that instances of abuse are thoroughly examined and addressed, both within the facility and by external oversight bodies.
Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Illinois
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit related to childhood sexual abuse has undergone significant changes in recent years. The current law, effective January 1, 2020, provides survivors of childhood sexual abuse with more time to seek justice through the legal system.
Under the amended law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse have 20 years from the day they turn 18 to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser and any associated institutions or entities. In other words, survivors have until their 38th birthday to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser.
It's important to note that this statute of limitations applies to civil lawsuits, which are distinct from criminal prosecutions. In criminal cases, there is no statute of limitations for felony criminal sexual assault or sexual abuse crimes against children in Illinois. This means that a perpetrator can be prosecuted criminally at any time, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
The changes to the statute of limitations in Illinois reflect a growing understanding of the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of providing survivors with adequate time and opportunities to seek justice and healing.
Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts in Illinois Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Cases
In Illinois juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits, plaintiffs often seek damages of $2 million or more, reflecting the severe and enduring harm caused by the abuse, the shocking extent of institutional failures, and the extensive costs associated with the survivor's healing process and ongoing needs. When calculating settlement amounts, several key factors come into play:
- Nature and Duration of Abuse: The severity of the sexual abuse, including its duration and the physical and psychological trauma inflicted, plays a significant role in determining the settlement amount.
- Impact on the Survivor: Both the immediate and long-term consequences of the abuse on the survivor's mental health, daily functioning, and prospects are considered. Evaluations by psychologists and other experts provide valuable evidence of the survivor's trauma and its effects.
- Institutional Culpability: The level of negligence or misconduct exhibited by the institution can greatly influence settlement payouts. Juries are likely to be more outraged by clear failures to prevent abuse, inadequate supervision, and disregard for abuse reports, leading to higher settlement amounts for institutions with evidence of systemic breakdowns.
- Economic Damages: While many cases do not involve substantial economic damages, some claims may include costs related to medical treatment, psychological counseling, lost wages, and other financial impacts suffered by the survivor.
- Non-Economic Damages: These subjective damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, often make up significant portions of the settlement and are awarded by the jury as compensation.
- Punitive Damages: In instances of egregious negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may impose punitive damages to penalize the institution and discourage future wrongdoing. The potential for punitive damages can significantly influence settlement amounts.
In Illinois, there is no cap on damages in sexual abuse cases, meaning that the amount of compensation a survivor may receive is not limited by law. This allows juries and judges to award damages that fully reflect the severity of the harm suffered by the survivor.
The Mechanics of Illinois Detention Center Lawsuits
Pursuing legal action solely against individual perpetrators often proves fruitless, as they typically lack the financial means to compensate survivors adequately.
Moreover, focusing only on individual abusers fails to address the systemic issues within the institution that enabled the abuse. Institutional defendants, including state agencies, are better equipped to provide appropriate compensation and implement necessary changes to prevent future abuse, ensuring both justice for survivors and proactive measures to protect others.
At the core of these lawsuits is the state's fundamental duty to protect the minors in its custody, which includes providing for their basic needs and ensuring their safety from sexual assault by both peers and the very individuals entrusted with their care and protection.
The state's breach of these duties has led to rampant physical and sexual abuse within juvenile detention facilities, subjecting vulnerable children, despite their past challenges, to further physical and psychological harm.
Shockingly, previous reports of abuse failed to prompt adequate preventive measures by the State of Illinois and its employees. This negligence encompassed failures in staff supervision, policy implementation, employee training, and the effectiveness of safety procedures. Furthermore, these lawsuits underscore a pervasive pattern of insufficient responses to abuse allegations, perpetuating the cycle of victimization.
As a result of this negligence, these children have endured immense physical, emotional, and psychological trauma, grappling with pain, distress, diminished self-esteem, and the long-term consequences of abuse. By seeking compensation for these damages, Illinois detention center sex abuse lawsuits aim to hold the State of Illinois responsible for its egregious failure to safeguard the vulnerable minors entrusted to its care in juvenile detention facilities.
Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers
The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice establishes minimum standards for juvenile detention centers nationwide. In 2021, for the first time since 1998, the IDJJ updated its County Detention Standards, which included updates such as the addition of portions for the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), designed to prevent sexual abuse and sexual harassment and to reduce the resulting harm.
County detention facilities in Illinois include:
Adams County Juvenile Detention
200 N. 52nd Street
Quincy, LI 62301
217-277-2233
Champaign County Detention
400 Art Bartell Drive
Urbana, LI 61802
217-384-3780
Cook County Juvenile Detention
1100 South Hamilton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612-4284
312-738-8200
Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center
409 East Washington
Benton, LI 62812
618-438-2222
Kane County Juvenile Detention Center
37W655, Rt. #38
St. Charles, LI 60175
630-406-7480
Mary Davis Detention Home
1319 East Fifth Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
309-343-5112
Hulse Detention Center - Lake County
25467 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-913-1015
LaSalle County Detention Home
707 Etna Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
815-434-8300
Madison County Detention
100 West Fifth Ave.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618-692-1002
McLean County Detention
903 North Main Street
Normal, LI 61761
309-888-5550
Peoria County Detention Center
223 N. Maxwell Road
Peoria, IL 61604
309-634-4200
St. Clair County Detention
9006 Lebanon Road
Belleville, IL 62223
618-397-0766
Sangamon County/Custody Services Division
2201 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, LI 62703
217-747-8000
River Valley Justice Center Will County Juvenile Detention
3200 W. McDonough St.
Joliet, IL 60436
815-730-7070
Vermilion County Juvenile Detention Center
150 Sager
Danville, LI 61832
217-431-6691
Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
5350 Northrock Drive
Rockford, IL 61103
815-282-6878
Illinois Youth Centers
IDJJ also serves youth in five secure facilities across Illinois. The superintendents are responsible for facility operations and the overall care and custody of youth housed there. IDJJ youth centers include:
IYC Chicago
100 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612
IYC Harrisburg
1201 W. Poplar
Harrisburg, IL 62946
618-252-8681
IYC Pere Marquette
17808 State Highway 100W
Grafton, IL 62037
618-786-2371
IYC Warrenville
30W 200 Ferry Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
630-983-6231
Phoenix Emerging Adults Career & Education (PEACE) Center- St. Charles
3825 Campton Hills Rd
St. Charles, IL 60175
630-584-0506
Contact the Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Dolman Law Group Today
Child sexual abuse is devastating and often has long-lasting consequences. Navigating the legal system to protect your rights and hold your abuser accountable can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to face this alone. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at Dolman Law Group will fight for justice on your behalf. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse at an Illinois juvenile detention center, let us negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit on your behalf. We promise to work tirelessly to defend your rights at every turn.
For a free and confidential consultation, please call our dedicated attorneys at our Illinois office at 833-552-7274 or fill out our online contact form. You pay nothing upfront and no legal fees unless we successfully resolve your case. Whenever you feel ready, we are here to support you.
The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.