Were you abused by Father John Keehan?

FATHER JOHN KEEHAN SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS

GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by Father John Keehan at St. Ann Parish and across the Archdiocese of Chicago. Talk to us about what happened. The consultation is free and confidential. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES

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THE CASE — BACKGROUND

Father John Keehan

Father John James Keehan was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1967. Over more than 35 years in ministry he served at St. Basil, Our Lady of Good Counsel, St. Benedict in Blue Island, St. Thomas of Canterbury, Truman College, Our Lady of Lourdes, Queen of Angels, Holy Innocents, and St. Ann in Chicago. He was removed from public ministry in June 2002. GGH Law has filed multiple lawsuits against the Archdiocese on behalf of survivors of Keehan’s alleged abuse at St. Ann School and Parish.

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ALLEGATIONS & TIMELINE

What the Records Show

In June 2024, GGH Law filed a fourth lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Chicago on behalf of another former St. Ann student alleging Keehan sexually abused him — bringing the total number of known victims to eight.
In April 2024, GGH Law filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Chicago on behalf of a former St. Ann student alleging Keehan repeatedly sexually abused him.
In May 2023, the Illinois AG’s 2023 Report named Keehan among credibly accused Archdiocese of Chicago clergy, alleging abuse beginning as early as 1967 across multiple parishes. He was added to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
In September 2010, he was found accessing numerous child-oriented social networking sites.
In June 2002, Keehan was removed from public ministry.
In 1993, the Archdiocese’s Professional Fitness Review Board determined there was at least one credible allegation and concluded he posed too significant a danger to ever be left alone with any minors. Despite this, he remained as Head Pastor of St. Ann’s, overseeing approximately 300 children, without families being informed.

Legal Claims

What GGH Law Is Investigating

GGH Law is investigating civil claims on behalf of survivors. The following claims are central to the investigation.

Clergy Sexual Abuse

Father Keehan allegedly sexually abused multiple students at St. Ann Elementary School and Parish in the 1990s, as well as at other assignments dating to 1967.

Negligent Supervision & Retention

The Archdiocese determined in 1993 that Keehan posed too significant a danger to be left alone with minors, yet allowed him to remain as Head Pastor of a school of approximately 300 children for nearly another decade.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

The Archdiocese owed a duty of care to children in its jurisdiction. That duty was allegedly breached by retaining a known-risk priest in authority over hundreds of children without informing families.

Named Defendants

Who Is Being Investigated

Father John James Keehan

Ordained 1967, Archdiocese of Chicago. Served at multiple Chicago parishes including St. Ann. Removed from public ministry June 2002. GGH Law has filed multiple active lawsuits.

Archdiocese of Chicago

The Archdiocese’s Professional Fitness Review Board determined in 1993 that Keehan posed too significant a danger to be left alone with minors. Despite this, the Archdiocese allowed him to remain as Head Pastor at St. Ann’s until June 2002.

Your Attorneys

GGH Is Fighting for Families Like Yours

If you or someone you love was harmed due to negligence at a Catholic parish, school, or other Diocese-affiliated institution in Illinois, you may have legal options. GGH Law represents survivors in civil cases involving negligence, failure to supervise, and failure to disclose incidents of alleged abuse or harm.

Institutions have a legal duty to protect those in their care. When they fail to properly screen clergy, ignore warning signs, or conceal incidents of harm, they can be held accountable. The same applies to the Diocese itself — when a central authority oversees a network of parishes and schools, it also shares responsibility for ensuring those locations are safe.

Experienced Attorneys

Clergy Il: Father John Keehan - Gould Grieco &Amp; Hensley

GOULD GRIECO & HENSLEY

INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE LITIGATION TEAM

Gould Grieco & Hensley is a national personal injury firm that represents survivors in high-stakes institutional accountability cases, including this clergy sex abuse investigation.

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You only pay if we secure compensation.

Questions Survivors Are Asking

Frequently Asked Questions

Father John James Keehan was ordained in 1967 for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He served as Head Pastor at St. Ann Elementary School and Parish in the 1990s. He was removed from public ministry in 2002. GGH Law has filed multiple active lawsuits against the Archdiocese on behalf of St. Ann survivors.

GGH Law has filed multiple lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Chicago, beginning in 2024, on behalf of survivors alleging Keehan sexually abused them at St. Ann School in the 1990s. The lawsuits allege the Archdiocese knew of credible allegations since 1993 and kept him in ministry.

Possibly yes. Illinois has significantly expanded its statutes of limitation for childhood sexual abuse claims in recent years. GGH Law can evaluate your situation in a free, confidential consultation.

No. GGH Law handles these cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Your consultation is completely free and confidential.

ACCOUNTABLITY FOR SURVIVORS:
THE GGH ADVANDAGE

Gould Grieco & Hensley (GGH) is a prestigious, boutique national personal injury firm that serves as a relentless advocate for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries. Recognized as "Innovators of Law," the firm combines world-class legal expertise with state-of-the-art technology—including agile project management and cutting-edge trial techniques—to secure unprecedented results against the world’s largest institutional defendants. With a proven track record that includes global settlements exceeding $2 billion and individual verdicts surpassing $550 million, their award-winning attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis to ensure justice is accessible without upfront costs. From the courtroom to features in The New York Times and Forbes, Gould Grieco and Hensley remains dedicated to turning strategic precision and aggressive litigation into life-changing outcomes for their clients.