272 brave survivors have come forward to demand justice after enduring childhood sex abuse in custody perpetrated by adult employees at the State-operated Illinois Youth Centers (IYCs) and Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC). Represented by Levy Konigsberg Attorneys Jerome Block, Jacob Jordan and co-counsel, these survivors filed sexual abuse lawsuits against Cook County and the State of Illinois on Monday. The lawsuits document a decades-long history of sexual abuse at the JTDC and IYCs throughout the State of Illinois.
Our legal team is leading the way in investigating sexual abuse claims from former juvenile detainees in Illinois, and we have been taking legal action using the Childhood Sexual Abuse Act as codified at 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2. The 667 survivors who have filed clams so far include those who suffered sexual abuse as far back as the 1990s and up through as recently as 2022. The plaintiffs, who are now adults, were sexually abused as children ranging from age 9 to 17.
According to the lawsuits, many different staff at the detention centers were involved in sexual abuse, such as:
- Correctional/detention officers
- Counselors
- Wardens
- Parole officers
- Supervisors
- Teachers
- Medical staff
- And others
Cook County and the State of Illinois have done little to protect these children or to punish their abusers. It is this pattern of negligence that has prompted the filing of these lawsuits. The State and Cook County’s negligence in failing to stop the sexual abuse of children at Illinois juvenile detention facilities is detailed in the complaints that were filed this week.
Leading the Way for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The Childhood Sexual Abuse Act provides legal pathways for victims of this type of sexual abuse to pursue damages from their abusers and from the institutions that enabled the abuse by increasing the time in which survivors of sexual abuse are permitted to come forward and file civil lawsuits.
Levy Konigsberg and its team of dedicated trial attorneys are at the forefront of childhood sexual abuse litigation, having filed hundreds of lawsuits nationwide on behalf of survivors.
In announcing this week’s filings, Levy Konigsberg Partner Jerome Block stated:
“The complaints we have filed on behalf of hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Illinois juvenile facilities identify dozens of correctional officers and staff, some of whom sexually abused multiple victims. These juvenile detention center staff members systematically preyed upon children, forcing them to perform sexual acts and causing lifelong trauma and suffering. This is a growing scandal that points to the failure of the juvenile justice system in Illinois. Fortunately, the Illinois Childhood Sexual Abuse Act allows these courageous men and women to come forward now and seek justice and accountability.”
Levy Konigsberg represents hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention facilities and plans to continue fighting tirelessly on their behalf.
Levy Konigsberg is a nationwide trial law firm with a proven track record of representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have the strength, size, and resources needed to file lawsuits against government agencies, religious groups, medical institutions, and more. If you want to know if you can file a claim for child sexual abuse that occurred at Illinois youth facilities, then speak with our team today.
Please call 800-315-3806 now and request a free, initial consultation with our firm.