What is the Archdiocese of Chicago Clergy Abuse Crisis?

The Archdiocese of Chicago—covering Cook and Lake counties—has a heavily documented history of clergy sexual abuse and institutional cover-ups. Following a multi-year investigation, the Illinois Attorney General released a nearly 700-page report on May 23, 2023, detailing the crisis. The report concluded that 275 Catholic clerics and religious brothers connected to the Archdiocese of Chicago have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

• Statewide, the investigation identified 451 accused clergy across all six Illinois dioceses and at least 1,997 child victims.
• Prior to the Attorney General’s investigation, Illinois dioceses had publicly disclosed only 103 abusers combined.
• Over the past several decades, the Archdiocese of Chicago has reportedly paid more than $200 million in cumulative abuse-related settlements.

A profound example of these systemic failures involves Fr. Daniel McCormack. Ordained in 1994, McCormack was the subject of 104 separate abuse complaints following the Archdiocese’s first notice of his conduct in 1999. Despite the Archdiocese’s own Independent Review Board recommending his removal in October 2005, Cardinal Francis George took no action. McCormack pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in July 2007, and the Archdiocese has since paid more than $11 million to settle related claims.

Who Qualifies to File a Claim?

If you or a loved one survived sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, extern, or religious-order member under the authority of the Archdiocese of Chicago, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit.

What is the Current Litigation Status?

• Direct Settlements, No Bankruptcy: Unlike roughly 19 other Catholic dioceses nationwide, the Archdiocese of Chicago has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to shield its assets. Instead, it resolves claims directly, including a publicized $12.6 million settlement covering 14 cases of abuse.
• Archdiocese Countersuits: In March 2025, the Archdiocese filed a civil racketeering lawsuit against more than two dozen individuals, alleging a coordinated scheme to obtain fraudulent settlements related to Daniel McCormack. In June 2026, a Cook County Circuit Court ruled the Archdiocese may proceed with this countersuit. This hostile litigation environment underscores the necessity of retaining an experienced law firm to fiercely protect your claim.

What Can I Expect if I File?

Filing a lawsuit against a powerful religious institution requires legal strategies designed to expose hidden truths. At Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, our process is designed to protect your peace of mind while we fight for justice.

• Confidential Investigation: Your initial consultation is completely private. We evaluate the facts, track the movement of “extern” priests, and cross-reference the Attorney General’s database.
• Holding the Institution Liable: We pursue claims based on negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to warn.
• Contingency Fee Structure: We operate on a contingency fee basis; you owe nothing upfront, and our attorneys are only compensated if they win your case.

List of Clergy with Substantiated Allegations

The following table compiles individuals explicitly named on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s official public list, titled “Clergy with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Substantiated by the Archdiocese” (last updated March 2024). A “substantiated” classification means that the Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board—or the individual’s own religious order or home diocese—found the abuse allegations to be credible under their review procedures. Please note that inclusion on this list does not necessarily indicate a criminal conviction, as many of these entries predate the involvement of the criminal justice system, and some individuals were never criminally charged. Use the search box below to filter the 163 individuals by name, ordination year, or status.

Why Choose NGRV?

Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, PLLC is a national plaintiffs’ law firm with over 50 years of combined experience representing individuals harmed by powerful corporate and institutional defendants. We are not a volume settlement mill; we are trial lawyers. Our founding partners, including Marlene Goldenberg and Brett Vaughn, are routinely appointed by federal judges to lead Plaintiffs’ Steering Committees and Executive Committees in massive, complex litigations—including the Uber Sexual Assault litigation (MDL 3084). Furthermore, our team’s unique medical backgrounds, including Brett Vaughn’s credentials as a Registered Nurse (RN, BSN, provide a distinct advantage in accurately conveying the lifelong psychological and physical impacts of severe trauma to courts and juries.

How Do I Get Started?

If you or a loved one are seeking justice, our dedicated sexual assault litigation team is here to help. Do not let institutional timelines or intimidation stop you from reclaiming your power.

• Call or Text 24/7: (202) 792-7927
• Email: Intake@nighgoldenberg.com