The lawsuit alleges widespread child sex abuse at youth detention centers in Illinois from 1996 to 2017, including gang rape, forced oral sex, and beatings by corrections officers, sergeants, nurses, therapists, a chaplain, and others. Many of the 95 plaintiffs in the case said they were threatened or rewarded to keep quiet about the abuse they suffered. The lawsuit follows similar claims of abuse at juvenile detention centers in New Jersey, California, Maryland, and other states. Ten of the plaintiffs spoke out at a news conference, sharing their experiences of abuse and the impact it has had on their lives.
Three men who say they were sexually abused as children while incarcerated at Illinois juvenile detention centers came forward to speak about their experiences as part of the lawsuit. Calvin McDowell, 37, who alleged he was abused by a chaplain at a suburban Chicago youth center, spoke about feeling alone and unable to share his secret for fear and embarrassment. Jeffery Christian, 36, also shared his story of abuse at two different youth centers, including being groped by a counselor during counseling sessions. Both men expressed a desire to shine a light on the abuse they suffered as juveniles and to find peace in connecting with other survivors of abuse.
The lawsuit accuses Illinois of failing to supervise, discipline, remove, or investigate alleged abusers, allowing the abuse to continue for decades. The abuse is said to have occurred at nine youth detention centers across the state from locations including Chicago, St. Charles, and Harrisburg. The lawsuit seeks damages of roughly $2 million per plaintiff, the maximum allowed under law. Attorneys who brought the lawsuit said they are skeptical that things have changed and expect to file more lawsuits on behalf of other former child detainees who allege sexual abuse.
Survivors who spoke out as part of the lawsuit hope to get more answers through legal action, including the names of their alleged abusers. Many of the plaintiffs are identified in the lawsuit by their initials, while alleged repeat offenders are named. Stephen Lucas, 36, shared his experience of being repeatedly abused and harassed by a supervisor at a downstate youth facility when he was about 13 years old. He expressed the hope that by coming forward, he can help others who have suffered similar abuse find the courage to reclaim what was taken from them years ago.
The lawsuit names the state of Illinois, its Department of Corrections, and Department of Juvenile Justice as defendants and alleges that the abuse was allowed to happen under former administrations. Spokespeople for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the two corrections agencies stated that any allegations of staff misconduct are thoroughly investigated. However, attorneys representing the plaintiffs expressed skepticism that the state has implemented adequate measures to prevent future abuse. The survivors who shared their stories at the news conference expressed gratitude for the support they have found in connecting with others who have suffered similar experiences and hope that by speaking out, they can bring attention to systemic child abuse in youth detention facilities.
