Sexual abuse survivor in Chicago? You decide what happens next.

Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice about your case.

Sexual abuse cases in Chicago: what to know

If you are in danger now, call 911. You can reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) 24/7 at 800-656-4673.

Talking about abuse is hard. You control the pace. You decide what to share and when. Our conversation is confidential, and in many cases a claim can be brought without the survivor's name in public court records.

A civil case is separate from any criminal case. It does not depend on an arrest or a conviction. It asks a different question: who should have protected you, and did they?

When an institution is responsible

Often, someone in charge missed or ignored warning signs. A civil case often focuses on the organization, not only the person who caused the harm. That can include:

• Churches and religious organizations
• Schools, colleges and youth programs
• Sports clubs, camps and youth organizations
• Employers, including when a supervisor or coworker caused the harm
• Nursing homes, hospitals and other care facilities
• Rideshare companies and other businesses that send workers to the public

The questions are usually the same. What did the organization know? Did it check backgrounds before hiring? Did it supervise staff and volunteers? Did it act on complaints, and did it report abuse as the law requires?

Illinois rules that shape your case

• More time for childhood abuse. Many states, including Illinois, have changed their laws in recent years to give survivors of childhood sexual abuse much more time to bring a claim, and in some cases there is no deadline (735 ILCS 5/13-202.2).
• Public schools and agencies. Claims against a public school district, a city or another local public body fall under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Its rules and deadlines are different and can be short.
• Deadlines vary. How long you have depends on the type of case and who is responsible. Claims against a government agency can have deadlines measured in months. Call early.
• Where cases are heard. Most Chicago injury cases are filed in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

What to do now

1. Get to a safe place, and get medical care or counseling if you need it.
2. Write down what you remember, when you are ready: dates, places, names of people in charge, and anyone you told.
3. Keep messages, emails, photos and any records you have. Do not delete accounts.
4. Do not sign anything from the organization or its insurer before you get advice.
5. Call us when you are ready. The call is confidential, and there is no fee or cost unless we recover money for you.

Our Chicago office

TORKLAW has a fully staffed office at 150 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1450. Illinois attorneys and their support team work there. There is no fee or cost unless we recover money for you. A real person answers 24/7, in English or Spanish.