Illinois Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Illinois investigators recently found that over 450 clergy members had sexually abused nearly 2,000 children in the state since 1950, far more than the 103 individuals the church named when the review began in 2018. If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse by a clergy member in Illinois, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable.
- Since 1950, more than 450 Catholic clergy members in Illinois have sexually abused at least 2,000 children statewide, according to a 2023 report from the Attorney General.
- In Illinois, survivors of childhood sexual abuse before 2014 have until their 38th birthday to file a lawsuit, while survivors of abuse after 2014 have no time limit.
- If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse by a clergy member in Illinois, even if it was years or decades ago, Helping Survivors can help you understand your legal rights and options and potentially connect you with an experienced attorney.
Overview of Clergy Sexual Abuse Allegations in Illinois
The Catholic Church has a large presence in Illinois, with nearly 1,000 parishes, over 2,200 priests, 1,300 deacons, and 260 religious brothers. Because of this, clergy abuse in Catholic dioceses across the state has been unfortunately common for decades.
From 2018 to 2023, the Illinois Attorney General investigated child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members in six dioceses across the state, including the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Dioceses of Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield. By the time the investigation began, the Chicago and Joliet dioceses had posted lists of substantiated Catholic cleric child sex abusers on their websites, with a total of 103 abusers.
Over the course of the investigation, that list of known abusers grew to 451, with more than half in Chicago. The investigation concluded that at least 1,997 survivors have been sexually abused by those 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers since 1950.
Meet Our Trusted Legal Partners
For over 50 years, Milberg has held powerful defendants accountable — let us fight for you.
Illinois Clergy Members Accused of Sexual Abuse
Robert Boley – Archdiocese of Chicago
In August 2022, the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Carmelite religious order settled a clergy abuse lawsuit for $1.75 million. The case was brought by a woman who alleged she was repeatedly sexually abused as a child in the 1980s by Robert Boley, a Carmelite priest at St. Cyril Catholic School in Woodlawn, which has since closed.
George Clements – Archdiocese of Chicago
In April 2022, the Archdiocese of Chicago agreed to an $800,000 settlement with five people who accused five priests of sexual abuse, including Father George Clements, the former pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Bronzeville.
Norbert Maday – Archdiocese of Chicago
In June 2021, two men agreed to a settlement of $880,000 from the Archdiocese of Chicago over allegations that Catholic priest Norbert Maday sexually abused them decades before. Maday was imprisoned for similar crimes years earlier. The pair were among at least 14 boys Maday molested at six parishes from 1967 to 1986.
Raymond Kownacki – Diocese of Belleville
In August 2011, the Diocese of Belleville paid $6.3 million to a clergy sexual abuse victim after a years-long string of unsuccessful legal appeals. The payment came three years after a jury awarded the victim a $5 million verdict over abuse by Father Raymond Kownacki.
Rights & Options for Illinois Clergy Abuse Survivors
Survivors of clergy abuse in Illinois have legal protections and multiple options for reporting the abuse, taking legal action, and protecting themselves.
In 2019, Senate Bill 1178 became law, requiring clergy members in the state to report cases of physical abuse or neglect against children. Illinois law already required reports of suspected sexual abuse.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests also provides resources for survivors who may be unsure about the best path forward.
File an Illinois Clergy Abuse Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse
In Illinois, there is no statute of limitations for civil lawsuits based on any childhood sexual abuse that occurred on or after January 1, 2014. Survivors abused as children before 2014 have until their 38th birthday or 20 years after they discover the injury—whichever is later—to file civil claims.
File a Police Report for Clergy Sexual Abuse
Reporting clergy abuse to a local police department is another option for survivors. These reports may initiate a criminal investigation into the perpetrator, but they can also play an important role in a civil lawsuit. To report child sex abuse to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, call 1-800-252-2873 or file a complaint online.
Report Clergy Sexual Abuse to Individual Illinois Dioceses & Religious Institutions
Individual Catholic dioceses in Illinois, such as the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Springfield, and the Diocese of Rockford, have resources and designated reporting portals for sexual abuse by priests and other clergy members. Depending on where you are located, the process for reporting abuse may vary slightly.
What to Know About Filing an Illinois Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Typically, the defendants in child sexual abuse lawsuits are institutions, such as the Archdiocese of Chicago, rather than individual perpetrators. In general, this is because the outcome most people seek in a civil lawsuit is monetary damages.
Illinois Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit FAQs
Do I Have a Case for Filing an Illinois Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file an Illinois clergy sexual abuse lawsuit if you or your child has endured sexual abuse by a clergy member in the state. The statute of limitations for your case will vary based on when the abuse occurred, so speak to a legal professional as soon as possible to learn more about your options for seeking accountability.
Can I File a Lawsuit Even if the Harm Happened Years Ago?
Yes, you may be able to file an Illinois clergy sexual abuse lawsuit even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago. Illinois’ statute of limitations gives survivors of abuse that occurred after 2014 unlimited time to take legal action, while survivors of child sexual abuse before 2014 have until their 38th birthday to file.
What Is the Average Settlement for Clergy Abuse Lawsuits?
In a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit, the value of a potential settlement or trial verdict depends on several factors, including the number of perpetrators, the involvement of the Church, the extent of the abuse, and the evidence available.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
