More cases of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers in Illinois

CHICAGO (CBS) – Illinois State Juvenile Court is facing new allegations from dozens of men and women who say they were abused as children while in custody.

Nearly 200 people have come forward to sue the state agency that runs Illinois’ youth centers. Many of these centers are located in the Chicago area, including in St. Charles, Warrenville and Joliet.

Last month, Governor JB Pritzker distanced himself from the accusations and said none of these cases occurred while he was governor. The latest wave of allegations related to cases that occurred while he was in office.

“I am still suffering from the abuse and my personal relationships have suffered and I know my life will never be the same again,” said Jermaine Bell. “This has to stop, please.”

In 2005, Bell, then 14, was placed in the St. Charles Youth Center, now called the Peace Center at St. Charles. He said he was sexually abused by a police officer. He filed a report, notified his family and then, he said, the retaliation began.

“They gave you drugs, literally drugs, drugs, because I told you all I was sexually abused? Really? Drugs?” he said. “And then you send me to maximum security prison?”

Bell told his family he was hallucinating. He said the revelations led to his transfer to the state’s maximum security correctional facility in southwest suburban Joliet, where he was incarcerated for 60 days at age 15.

“It is time for the state of Illinois to take responsibility for this systematic child abuse,” said attorney Jerome Block.

On Monday, 108 new victims came forward as part of the comprehensive lawsuit filed already more than 90 victims the children in the system. Some were only 10 years old.

CBS 2 asked Pritzker about the allegations last month when the first wave of lawsuits came to light.

“I don’t want to say too much about that because it’s an ongoing legal process,” Pritzker said. “But I understand that it’s a matter that involved not only DJJ’s previous administration, but the governor’s previous administration as well.”

The second round of allegations includes one from 2019, when Pritzker was in office.

“The governor, when asked, said it was previous administrations,” Block said. “We have cases from the last few years. We have a case from 2019, but we have no evidence, no reason to believe that the conditions that have enabled this sexual abuse for decades have been remedied.”

In a statement late Monday, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice said:

“The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is aware of recent lawsuits filed in the Illinois Court of Claims related to allegations under previous administrations. While the Department cannot comment on ongoing litigation, IDJJ takes the safety of juveniles in the Department’s care very seriously. All allegations of staff misconduct are promptly and thoroughly investigated internally, and often in cooperation with the Department of Corrections, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Children and Family Services.

IDJJ has policies and protocols in place to ensure the safety of youth and staff and to identify potential instances of abuse or misconduct. IDJJ’s protocols are consistent with state and federal safety standards, and IDJJ conducts ongoing policy and protocol evaluations. All staff working in IDJJ facilities undergo background checks and training and participate in ongoing professional development.

When asked about the recent allegations during Pritzker’s tenure, a spokesman for the governor said the legal proceedings were being handled by the attorney general’s office and declined to comment on the matter.