how to report catholic church abuse to il attorney general

Madigan continues to urge Illinois residents to call her Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-888-414-7678 with any information on allegations of sexual assault and abuse. The hotline is answered by trained staff in Madigan�s office during business hours. Messages left on the hotline are returned if contact information is provided.

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Illinois Report Accuses Catholic Clergy Of Concealing Sexual Abuse

In numerous cases, attorney general Madigan reports, sexual abuse allegations have “not been adequately investigated by the dioceses or not investigated at all.” More damning still, Madigan accuses the Catholic establishment of failing to notify secular law enforcement authorities and Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services in many of the cases..

Attorney General Investigation Into Clergy Accusations

Attorney general Madigan began her investigation into Catholic sex abuse in August, soon after a Pennsylvania grand jury report blew the whistle on at least 1,000 sex abuse cases, publicly naming over 300 priests and religious order members who had sexually abused children during their tenure in one of Pennsylvania’s seven Catholic dioceses.

Illinois Dioceses Fail To Investigate Abuse Cases

Nearly 75% of the allegations, the attorney general’s office reports, were not investigated, or were investigated but never substantiated. In many cases, the report continues, the dioceses said they failed to investigate because the priest had already died, or had left the ministry prior to the report.

Illinois Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Nationwide, survivors have filed clergy abuse lawsuits against Catholic priests accused of abuse and dioceses that covered up the abuse. The dioceses of Illinois have faced numerous lawsuits over accusations of sexual abuse.

Clergy Abuse Settlements In Illinois

The Illinois dioceses have paid millions in settlements to abuse survivors. The Chicago Archdiocese has paid more than $200 million to settle abuse claims. Archdiocesan officials believe the archdiocese may end up paying more than $150 million to settle future claims.

Illinois Child Sex Abuse Statutes Of Limitations

Any legal action against an abuser or a responsible organization must follow the state’s statutes of limitations. A statute of limitations (SOL) is a legal deadline.

List Of Accused Priests In Illinois

Below is a list of priests accused of abuse in Illinois, such as the former Jesuit priest Donald J. McGuire. The list also includes other diocesan clergy members facing credible allegations.

History Of Clergy Abuse In Illinois

All six Catholic dioceses in Illinois have faced clergy abuse allegations and lawsuits. Apart from the abuse itself, these dioceses have been accused of covering up abuse. In fact, a 2018 report by the Illinois attorney general found the Roman Catholic Church in Illinois failed to investigate many allegations of abuse.

Illinois Priest Abuse Victim Resources

If you were sexually abused by a priest or clergy member in the state of Illinois, you are not alone. Furthermore, you do not need to process the trauma of sexual violence on your own.

Illinois Priest Abuse FAQs

In Illinois, there is no civil or criminal statute of limitations for cases of child sexual abuse. However, some older cases may still be time-barred.