Chicago Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If a priest, deacon, or church leader in the Chicago area harmed you, you can talk it through privately with someone who believes you — and we'll connect you with an Illinois-licensed attorney.
Where to start
If you were abused by a member of the clergy in Chicago, you have the right to be heard — and to pursue accountability.
Clergy abuse in the Chicago area often happened inside the institutions families trusted most: parish churches, Catholic schools, religious-order ministries, and youth programs across the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond. You did not do anything wrong, and what happened was not your fault. Coming forward now, even decades later, is something many Chicago survivors do — and Illinois law has been written in ways that recognize how long it can take.
You do not have to figure this out alone or commit to anything today. When you reach out, your information goes privately to our Illinois intake team, and we connect you with an Illinois-licensed attorney who handles clergy and church abuse cases. The first conversation is free, confidential, and at your pace.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Chicago settings
Where Chicago clergy abuse happens
Survivors we hear from across the Chicago metro describe abuse tied to a range of religious settings and institutions.
Parishes & parish schools
Abuse connected to neighborhood parishes and parochial grade schools across the city — from the North Side and Northwest Side to the South Side — and into Cook County suburbs.
Catholic high schools & religious orders
Chicago-area Catholic high schools, seminaries, and religious-order ministries (Jesuit, Franciscan, and others) where clergy and brothers had access to young people.
Youth groups, camps & ministries
Altar-server programs, parish youth groups, retreats, choirs, and faith-based camps and outreach run through Chicago congregations.
Other faith communities
Clergy and lay leaders in Protestant churches, evangelical ministries, and other denominations throughout the Chicago area — not only the Catholic Church.
Accountability
In Chicago clergy cases, the institution is often responsible too — not just the individual.
Clergy abuse rarely happens in isolation. Civil claims frequently focus on the religious institutions that supervised the abuser, because their decisions allowed the harm to continue. Depending on the facts, responsibility may extend to:
- The diocese, archdiocese, or religious order that supervised and assigned the clergy member.
- A parish, Catholic school, or congregation that placed someone in contact with children or vulnerable adults.
- Leaders who received warnings or complaints and transferred or shielded the abuser instead of acting.
- Affiliated youth programs, camps, or ministries responsible for screening and oversight.
An Illinois-licensed attorney can look at who was involved and explain, in plain terms, which institutions may be held accountable in your situation.
Illinois deadlines
Illinois gives clergy abuse survivors meaningful time to come forward.
Illinois has expanded the civil window for childhood sexual abuse and eliminated the criminal statute of limitations for many sexual offenses, so you may still have options regardless of how long ago the abuse happened. The deadlines that apply depend on your age and the facts of your case. For the full statute-of-limitations detail, see our Illinois statute of limitations page — and the simplest way to know where you stand is to ask an attorney directly.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Named, credentialed, local
Attorneys licensed in your state
Every connection is to a real attorney with verifiable credentials and a record of holding institutions accountable.
Michael Haggard, Esq.
Laurence Banville, Esq.
Eric Weitz, Esq.
Max Morgan, Esq.
Jeff Gibson, Esq.
Ervin Nevitt, Esq.
John Bey, Esq.
Aman Sharma, Esq.
Dan Lipman, Esq.
Joshua Gillispie, Esq.
Jennifer Lipinski, Esq.
Aaron Blank, Esq.
Chicago clergy abuse FAQ
Common questions from Chicago survivors
Do I need a Chicago clergy sexual abuse lawyer specifically?
You want an attorney licensed in Illinois who handles clergy and church abuse cases, since your claim follows Illinois law and may involve Chicago-area institutions. We connect you with an Illinois-licensed attorney experienced in these cases, so the local rules and the right court are handled for you.
Can I file a claim if the abuse happened decades ago?
Often, yes. Illinois has significantly expanded the civil window for childhood sexual abuse and removed the criminal time limit for many offenses. Many Chicago survivors come forward many years later. The only reliable way to know your specific deadline is to have an Illinois attorney review your situation.
Can I sue the Archdiocese of Chicago or a religious order, not just the abuser?
In many cases the institution is a central focus. If a diocese, archdiocese, parish, school, or religious order supervised the clergy member and failed to protect you, it may share responsibility. An attorney can identify which institutions may be held accountable in your case.
Will my case become public or be in the news?
Your first conversation with us is private and confidential. Many clergy cases are resolved without a survivor's identity being made public, and protections are often available. You stay in control of how much you share and how your case proceeds.
How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?
The initial consultation is free, and clergy abuse cases are typically handled on a contingency basis — meaning you generally owe no attorney's fees unless there is a recovery. You can ask about costs directly during your first conversation, with no obligation.
What if the priest or church leader has died?
You may still have a claim. Civil cases often proceed against the institution that supervised the abuser, so a case can move forward even if the individual has passed away or is no longer with the church.
Does it matter if it wasn't the Catholic Church?
No. We hear from survivors abused by clergy and leaders across many faiths and denominations in the Chicago area. What matters is what happened and which institution was responsible — not the specific church.
What happens after I reach out?
Your message goes privately to our Illinois intake team. We listen, answer your questions, and — if you choose to move forward — connect you with an Illinois-licensed clergy abuse attorney. There is no pressure and no obligation at any step.
Free & confidential
Talk to a Chicago clergy abuse lawyer
Your message goes privately to our Illinois intake team.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
Start your free case review
It only takes a minute. Share what you’re comfortable with.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Take the first step on your terms. A free, confidential conversation could be the start of getting the justice and support you deserve.