Illinois School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

File an Illinois sex abuse lawsuit against a school

Compensation for Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse at Illinois Schools

At Injury Lawyer Team, we stand with survivors pursuing an Illinois school sexual abuse lawsuit. Too often, school districts and officials fail to protect students from sexual violence, allowing abuse to occur in classrooms, hallways, and other spaces meant to be safe.

Through lawsuits, survivors can seek justice, hold negligent school employees and institutions accountable, and recover financial compensation for medical treatment, emotional distress, and lasting psychological harm. Our experienced attorneys have helped victims secure generous settlements, and we are committed to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Schools in Illinois

Illinois schools have faced a troubling history of sexual abuse complaints, with survivors and families stepping forward to expose how districts failed to protect their students.

In recent years, Chicago Board of Education Inspector General Will Fletcher has reported hundreds of complaints each year involving misconduct, grooming, and sexual assault by employees of various schools. These allegations underscore the systemic failures of districts and officials in safeguarding students.

Below are some of the schools in Illinois where allegations of sexual assault, misconduct, or negligence have led to lawsuits or public scrutiny.

Homewood Flossmoor High School

In October 2022, a 15-year-old female student at Homewood Flossmoor High School alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a fellow student during a theater class. Although the boy was detained, prosecutors declined to bring charges. The girl and her victim’s mother later filed a lawsuit, claiming that the district, principal, and teacher failed to supervise students or respond properly.

In March 2025, District 233 agreed to a $3.5 million settlement, compensating for emotional damage and medical treatment. This case highlights the importance of civil sex abuse lawsuits when criminal accountability falls short.

J. Sterling Morton High School District 201

On March 11, 2025, a Cook County jury awarded $15 million to a male student who was repeatedly sexually abused by a female teacher in J. Sterling Morton High School. Jurors found that the district and school officials acted with willful and wanton disregard for the boy’s safety.

The plaintiff testified that the abuse occurred over more than two years, causing severe trauma and loss of a normal life. This verdict underscores the willingness of Illinois juries to award multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts in school sexual assault cases.

Downers Grove South High School

In one of the most shocking recent scandals, special education teacher and soccer coach Christina Formella was arrested in March 2025 for her relationship with a 15-year-old male student at Downers Grove South. By June 2025, prosecutors had charged her with 52 counts, including 20 counts of sexual assault and 20 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Allegations include grooming, sexual encounters on school grounds, and even a personal “memoir” describing how Formella sexually assaulted the boy. The victim’s mother alerted authorities, and the case is pending in DuPage County. This criminal prosecution will likely lead to civil claims against the district for failing to protect its students from a trusted employee.

Chicago Public Schools Failed to Protect Student at Sullivan High School

In April 2025, the family of a 15-year-old non-verbal boy with autism filed a lawsuit against CPS and Sullivan High School after he was allegedly sexually abused by another student in a school bathroom. The lawsuit argues that CPS violated the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), which required constant adult supervision.

The complaint names CPS, the Chicago Board of Education, and officials including Assistant Principal John Roseboom. Media coverage highlights how CPS’s repeated failure to enforce safety protocols has endangered some of its most vulnerable students.

Westchester Middle School

In 2024, former teacher Dawn Chester was arrested and later charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a student she taught between 1998 and 2000. A related lawsuit alleges that district ignored grooming behavior and failed to protect its students.

Plaintiffs say the abuse took place on school property in classrooms, locker rooms, and labs. Even more troubling, Chester continued working in schools for over two decades after the alleged abuse, highlighting systemic lapses in reporting and accountability.

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Little Village Lawndale High School

At Little Village Lawndale High School, CPS dean Brian Crowder was convicted in July 2025 of sexual assault for abusing a student between 2013 and 2016. In August 2025, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

This case came to light as part of NBC 5’s “Lessons in Betrayal” investigation, which revealed that CPS had ignored grooming complaints from students for more than two decades. These revelations have fueled additional Chicago school sexual assault lawsuits and prompted CPS to tighten teacher-student boundary rules.

Lockport Township High School

In January 2024, a 14-year-old female student sued District 205, alleging that she was raped by a fellow Lockport Township High School student during a December 2022 away game. The lawsuit also names Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride Jr. and Assistant Superintendent Anthony Cundari for failing to prevent the assault despite prior complaints about the boy’s behavior.

Plaintiffs argue that the district failed to protect its students from foreseeable harm. The case is ongoing in Will County and may establish new precedent for liability in civil sex abuse lawsuits against schools in Illinois.

Fenton Community High School

In June 2024, a former student filed suit against Fenton Community High School District 100, alleging she was sexually abused by a teacher when she was a minor. Court documents suggest misconduct dating back to 2011, with claims that the officials ignored multiple red flags.

Fenton’s superintendent, James Ongtengco, was terminated, but survivors argue the district failed to act sooner, exposing students to ongoing harm. This case is one of several showing that civil lawsuits are often the only path to accountability when abuse occurs inside schools.

Bloom Trail High School

In June 2024, Bloom Trail High School teacher and softball coach Ron Giglio was accused of sexually abusing a student two decades ago. Soon after, new complaints surfaced from current students, triggering a DCFS investigation and his removal from the classroom.

Plaintiffs say the abuse occurred repeatedly, causing lifelong trauma and emotional damage. Attorneys expect more survivors to join the litigation, which could lead to very large settlements.

Boarding Schools in Illinois

Survivors have also filed Illinois boarding school sexual assault lawsuits against residential institutions such as Marmion Academy in Aurora, St. Bede Academy in Peru, and the now-closed Rock River Academy in Rockford, alleging grooming, sexual assault, and institutional failures to protect pupils.

In some cases, clergy or staff members were criminally convicted, including a Benedictine priest at St. Bede Academy who received a prison sentence of 6 years for abusing a student, and a Marmion Academy teacher who pleaded guiltyto abuse charges.

Lawsuits have sought multi-million-dollar settlements, reflecting the heightened duty of care boarding schools have when supervising students 24/7 without parental oversight.

What Constitutes Sexual Assault in Illinois?

Illinois law defines criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.20) as sexual penetration by force, threat, or when the victim cannot consent due to age, disability, or the offender’s position of authority.

Aggravated sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.30) involves added factors like weapons, injuries, or a survivor with disabilities, while predatory sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/11-1.40) applies when someone age 17 or older abuses a person under 13.

In schools in Illinois, sexual assault can involve teacher misconduct, student-on-student abuse, unwanted touching, coercion, or harassment. Because minors under 17 cannot legally consent, any sexual activity with them is unlawful.

Illinois law also recognizes the overlap with sexual bullying. Under the School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-23.7), bullying includes severe or repeated behavior that causes fear, emotional damage, or disrupts education. When sexual in nature, (such as harassment, rumors, groping, or sharing explicit content) it may also qualify as sexual abuse.

How Common Is Sexual Abuse in Illinois Schools?

Data shows that sexual abuse in Illinois schools is widespread. A recent survey found that 11.6% of high school students reported sexual violence in the past year, 7.8% experienced sexual dating violence, and 8.8% were physically forced to have sex, equivalent to more than 139,000 students statewide.

In Chicago Public Schools (CPS), with about 322,000 students, the Office of Inspector General reported 1,825 complaints in 2022, including 470 sexual misconduct allegations against employees.

In 2018–2019, there were 458 Office of Inspector General sexual misconduct cases, nearly three per school day. By 2024, the Sexual Allegations Unit had substantiated 7 adult-on-student abuse cases and 49 staff misconduct cases, while opening over 400 new investigations each year.

National research mirrors these figures: a U.S. Department of Education study found that up to 1 in 10 students may experience sexual misconduct by school employees. In Illinois, these numbers show that sexual abuse and sexual bullying in schools are ongoing, systemic risks, forcing families to pursue sexual abuse lawsuits to hold schools accountable and protect their loved ones.

What Laws Govern School Sexual Assault Cases?

Survivors of sexual assault in schools in Illinois are protected by a combination of state and federal laws designed to safeguard children, hold schools accountable, and ensure victims have access to justice.

Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA)

The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/) requires teachers, coaches, administrators, and other employees to act as mandated reporters. If they suspect or learn of sexual abuse, they must immediately report it to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Failure to do so can result in criminal penalties and civil liability. In school sexual assault cases, ANCRA ensures that allegations cannot simply be ignored or covered up by officials.

Illinois School Code

The Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/) sets forth the duties of public schools to maintain safe environments and prevent misconduct. Provisions address anti-bullying policies, student discipline, and the responsibility of districts to protect its students from foreseeable harm.

When a district fails to implement adequate policies or ignores warning signs, survivors may pursue lawsuits for negligence, emotional distress, and other damages.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

At the federal level, Title IX (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) prohibits sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funding. Courts have held that sexual harassment and sexual assault are forms of sex discrimination. This means schools can face federal civil claimsif they are deliberately indifferent to reports of sexual abuse.

Title IX applies to both student-on-student and employee-on-student misconduct, and survivors may file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or pursue remedies in federal court.

What Damages Can Sexually Assaulted Victims Recover in Illinois?

Survivors in Illinois can pursue both economic and non-economic damages in school sexual assault lawsuits. Economic damages may include costs of treatment, therapy, counseling, and lost educational or career opportunities. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional damage, loss of normal life, and lasting psychological issues.

In cases where a district or staff member acted with reckless disregard, courts may also award punitive damages to deter future misconduct. These remedies help survivors find justice, hold schools accountable, and obtain the resources needed to heal.

What Factors Influence Compensation Amounts?

Compensation in Illinois school sexual assault lawsuits depends on several factors. The most important include the severity and frequency of the abuse, the survivor’s age and vulnerability, and the level of psychological harm or need for long-term medical care.

Damages may also increase if school officials ignored prior warnings or failed to protect pupils. Public schools must navigate the Tort Immunity Act, though it does not shield them from sexual abuse claims filed by minors. In egregious cases, courts may award punitive damages.

These factors explain why some survivors recover modest amounts while others secure settlements worth several million dollars.

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How Long Do Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

Illinois law gives survivors of sexual abuse broad rights to pursue both civil and criminal lawsuits, even decades after the abuse occurred.

Criminal Sexual Assault

Under 720 ILCS 5/3-6(j), Illinois has abolished the criminal statute of limitations for most felony sexual offenses against children. This means prosecution can be commenced at any time if the victim was under 18 at the time of the assault. Survivors no longer face deadlines that previously prevented many cases from reaching court.

Civil Lawsuits

On the civil side, Illinois has also eliminated the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2. Survivors of abuse in public or private schools can now bring Illinois sexual abuse lawsuits no matter how long ago the misconduct occurred. This reform ensures survivors are not barred simply because they needed years—or even decades—to come forward.

Tort Immunity Act

While the Illinois Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/) normally shields public entities from certain claims, it does not apply to childhood sexual abuse. Survivors can file civil claims directly against districts for failing to protect pupils or for negligence in hiring, supervision, and reporting.

Together, these laws mean survivors of school sexual assault in Illinois have some of the strongest legal protections in the nation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Alleged Assault and Abuse in an Illinois School?

In Illinois sexual abuse lawsuits, liability can extend beyond the abuser to others who failed to protect students. Parties that may be held accountable include:

Staff members – teachers, coaches, or staff members who commit sexual assault or sexual abuse.
School officials – principals, deans, and administrators who ignore complaints, red flags, or fail to enforce safety policies.
Districts and boards of education – for negligent hiring, supervision, or cover-ups. The Illinois Tort Immunity Act does not shield districts from childhood sexual abuse claims.
Fellow students – when peer-on-peer sexual abuse occurs, survivors may pursue lawsuits.
Third parties – contractors, volunteers, or outside organizations operating in schools when the abuse occurred under their supervision.

By pursuing claims against all responsible parties, survivors can seek justice and push educational institutions to create safer environments for the most vulnerable members of their communities.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, our sexual abuse lawyers fight for survivors and hold schools accountable. Our services include:

Investigating claims and gathering evidence against school officials or districts
Filing lawsuits to pursue compensation for abuse and negligence
Working with prosecutors in cases involving sexual assault
Protecting survivor privacy through confidential filings
Securing damages for medical costs, therapy, and emotional damage

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win. Survivors and families can also schedule a free consultation to discuss their rights and options.