In addition to the damning DOJ report, other high-profile cases involving staff-on-inmate abuse have shown that Illinois has struggled with a systemic abuse problem for decades.

Evidence supplied by public filings and payouts has also shown that the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and various county-operated jails overwhelmingly failed to investigate complaints, report abusive staff, and protect youth inmates.

Some examples include:

• In June 2021, Antoinette Perkins pleaded guilty to felony official misconduct after it was discovered that she engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor housed at the Illinois Youth Detention Center in St. Charles.
• In 2011, a male guard at the Illinois Youth Center in Joliet (IYC Joliet) was sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old in 2008.
• In February 2007, St. Clair County agreed to pay $900,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former youth inmate who was touched inappropriately several times by guard Thomas O’Donnell Jr. when he was housed at the St. Clair County juvenile custody center in May 2005.
• The February 2007 case also alleged that the County negligently retained O’Donnell despite a history of questionable conduct. O’Donnell pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and other charges in April 2008.
• In 2003, an employee of the Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro was arrested on multiple felony counts for sexual abuse.
• In 2000, a former teacher at the Illinois Youth Center Warrenville was charged with criminal sexual abuse for alleged sexual contact with two teenage residents of the facility.

Defining Sexual Abuse

In Illinois's juvenile detention centers, sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of inappropriate behaviors.

It refers to any non-consensual or inappropriate sexual contact or conduct involving a minor who is unable to provide legal consent.

The U.S. Department of Justice has defined various categories of sexual abuse within juvenile detention centers, including:

• Sexual contact;
• Sexual assault;
• Grooming;
• Exhibitionism;
• Voyeurism;
• Exploitation;
• Inappropriate romantic relationships;
• Indecent exposure; and,
• Sexual harassment.

These definitions emphasize the seriousness of the issue and the need for protective measures and justice for survivors.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, or other juvenile detention center staff member.
• The abuse occurred at any youth detention center or county-operated jail in Illinois.

We represent survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, County juvenile detention centers, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young inmates.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Victims and their families are urged to come forward for a free, private case evaluation from a qualified attorney as soon as possible to file a valid claim!