Pursuant to a recent change in Illinois law, a victim of child sex abuse has 20 years after he/she reaches the age of 18 (and sometimes later) to file lawsuit. The change in law took effect on January 1, 2014. It was the result of a combination of issues including sexual abuse by clergy cases. The law changes the old five (5) year statute of limitations that had been controlling. The new law obviously broadens the scope of lawsuit that can be brought in civil court.
