Illinois industrial landscape

Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyers

Illinois ranks 8th in the nation for annual mesothelioma diagnoses, with 105 new cases and 175 deaths each year. The age-adjusted rate of 0.7 per 100,000 residents is near the national average. Between 1999 and 2021, more than 2,400 people in Illinois were diagnosed with the disease.

Steel mills in areas like Chicago and Granite City, manufacturing plants such as the Johns-Manville facility in Waukegan and the UNARCO plant in Bloomington, and railroad repair sites across the state exposed countless workers to asbestos through insulation, fireproofing, and brake components. Refineries including Texaco in Lockport, Union Oil in Lemont, Shell in Wood River, and Amoco in Joliet, along with power plants like Braidwood and Zion, contributed heavily to this risk, while vermiculite processing from Libby, Montana, occurred in Chicago, Girard, Peoria, Quincy, Buda, and Calumet City, with over 372,000 tons imported. What set Illinois apart was its dense industrial corridors along Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, the absence of local asbestos mines yet massive importation and processing leading to 670 documented exposure sites in 90 cities across 36 counties, and unique environmental spread from Waukegan's waste dumped on beaches and into Lake Michigan.

Documented asbestos exposure sites span 90 cities across 36 counties. People with mesothelioma and asbestosis from these exposures include steelworkers, railroad mechanics, refinery operators, power plant constructors, and vermiculite processors, alongside maintenance workers in older schools, hospitals, and homes built before the 1980s. Cities like Chicago, Waukegan, Bloomington, Peoria, and Granite City saw the heaviest impacts, with over 1,900 deaths from mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer between 1999 and 2013, ranking the state seventh nationally. The legacy persists as people with asbestos-related diseases continue filing lawsuits against companies like Amoco, Shell, and Johns-Manville, while Superfund sites and contaminated shorelines at Illinois Beach State Park expose visitors and residents to lingering fibers decades after peak industrial use.

Filing Deadlines in Illinois

Illinois law sets strict time limits for filing mesothelioma lawsuits. These deadlines, called statutes of limitations, determine how long you have to take legal action after a diagnosis.

Personal Injury
2 Years from Diagnosis
For claims filed by mesothelioma patients
Wrongful Death
2 Years from Death
For claims filed by surviving family members

Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. Even if you believe you have time, consulting an attorney early ensures your case gets the attention it needs.

When the Clock Starts

In Illinois, the statute of limitations typically begins on the date of diagnosis, not the date of asbestos exposure. This is known as the "discovery rule."

Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20–50 years, this rule is essential. Without it, most patients would be barred from filing before they even knew they were sick.

The clock starts when:

  • You receive a formal mesothelioma diagnosis from a physician
  • You reasonably should have known you had the disease based on symptoms

Personal Injury Claims in Illinois

Illinois allows 2 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim for mesothelioma. These claims are filed by the patient during their lifetime and can seek compensation for:

  • Medical expenses: Past and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages: Income lost due to illness
  • Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life: Impact on daily activities and relationships

Wrongful Death Claims in Illinois

Illinois allows 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These claims can be filed by:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Children (including adult children)
  • Parents (in some cases)
  • Estate representative

Wrongful death claims can recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses incurred before death
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of financial support
  • Loss of companionship and guidance

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Illinois

Illinois has 218 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 798 liable parties on record. Workers in these areas may have grounds for mesothelioma claims.

Map of documented asbestos exposure sites in Illinois

Select a city to view specific exposure sites, companies, and facilities with known asbestos exposure history.

Chicago 144 sites Granite City 56 sites East St. Louis 38 sites Alton 32 sites Belleville 25 sites Edwardsville 17 sites Centralia 15 sites Springfield 15 sites Wood River 15 sites Decatur 12 sites Highland 12 sites Joliet 12 sites Madison 11 sites Peoria 10 sites East Alton 9 sites Rockford 9 sites Cairo 8 sites Sauget 8 sites Arlington Heights 7 sites Hartford 7 sites East Chicago 6 sites Tuscola 6 sites Waukegan 6 sites Carbondale 5 sites Mt. Vernon 5 sites Oak Brook 5 sites Carlinville 4 sites Chicago Heights 4 sites Columbia 4 sites Deerfield 4 sites
View all 90 cities
DeKalb 4 sites Franklin Park 4 sites Harvard 4 sites Jacksonville 4 sites McCook 4 sites Melrose Park 4 sites Mt. Carmel 4 sites Naperville 4 sites Salem 4 sites Addison 3 sites Aurora 3 sites Broadview 3 sites Carol Stream 3 sites Caseyville 3 sites Cicero 3 sites Cordova 3 sites Glen Carbon 3 sites Glen Ellyn 3 sites Havana 3 sites Lake Forest 3 sites Litchfield 3 sites Millstadt 3 sites Morton 3 sites Mount Vernon 3 sites Niles 3 sites Pekin 3 sites Princeton 3 sites Quincy 3 sites Roxana 3 sites Skokie 3 sites Baldwin 2 sites Bartonville 2 sites Bedford Park 2 sites Bloomington 2 sites Cahokia 2 sites Carlyle 2 sites Carpentersville 2 sites Champaign 2 sites Clinton 2 sites Coffeen 2 sites Collinsville 2 sites Des Plaines 2 sites Downers Grove 2 sites Elk Grove Village 2 sites Glenview 2 sites Godfrey 2 sites Hillsboro 2 sites Lansing 2 sites Lawrenceville 2 sites Lockport 2 sites Mattoon 2 sites Moline 2 sites North Chicago 2 sites Pocahontas 2 sites River Forest 2 sites River Grove 2 sites Schiller Park 2 sites Staunton 2 sites Venice 2 sites Warrenville 2 sites

Illinois has 5 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Illinois, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Illinois

Mesothelioma patients in Illinois may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation. An experienced attorney can help pursue all available options.

Lawsuits and Settlements

Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Most cases settle before trial, with average mesothelioma settlements ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. Illinois courts generally allow expedited scheduling for mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts hold more than $30 billion for asbestos victims. These claims are separate from lawsuits and can be filed regardless of whether a company is still operating. Trust fund claims have their own deadlines and requirements.

Learn about trust fund claims →

Choosing a Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer

When selecting legal representation for a mesothelioma case in Illinois, consider these factors. Our guide to choosing a mesothelioma law firm covers this in detail:

  • Experience with asbestos cases: Look for attorneys who focus on mesothelioma and asbestos litigation
  • Track record: Ask about past settlements and verdicts in similar cases
  • Resources: Firms need databases of products, companies, and expert witnesses
  • Knowledge of Illinois courts: Familiarity with local procedures and judges matters
  • Communication: You should feel comfortable asking questions and receiving updates

Most mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you. Learn more about mesothelioma lawyer costs and how contingency fees work.

Legal Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Every case is different. Consult with a qualified attorney to understand your specific legal options.

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