Woman Sues Chicago Fraternity Over Alleged Sexual Assault

A 19-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that a member of Alpha Delta Phi sexually assaulted her during a fraternity party near the University of Chicago on February 7, 2026. Filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, the case names the fraternity's national organization and Chicago chapter and raises questions about previous incidents, campus safety procedures and the handling of her police report.

The woman, identified as Jane Doe, is seeking a jury trial and more than $200,000, plus costs, according to the complaint. Her attorney, Mike Grieco, said the lawsuit also seeks institutional changes. The Chicago Police Department confirmed that the woman reported the alleged assault and received medical treatment the following day. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.

According to the lawsuit, Doe attended the party with friends after learning about it through Instagram. She said a fraternity member offered her a shot that left her unusually unsteady and lightheaded after she had consumed two drinks over approximately two hours.

Doe described the effects of the drink in an interview with NBC News.

"I know myself, and that was not the amount with how intoxicated I felt after the shot that I took with him," she said. "I've never felt like that before."

The complaint alleges that the fraternity member led Doe to a secluded bedroom, ignored her complaints of dizziness and initiated unwanted sexual contact. It further alleges that she lost the physical and verbal ability to resist and that the man refused her request to use a condom before penetrating her without consent.

Doe told NBC News that she remembered recognizing what was happening but felt unable to escape.

"I remember backing onto the bed because I knew what was about to happen, but I just — I didn't feel like I was strong enough to get out," she said.

According to the complaint, the man subsequently left her unconscious, while other fraternity members initially prevented her friends from reaching the upstairs bedroom. A friend eventually found Doe and helped her leave the house. She later noticed bloodstains in her underwear and sought medical care at Illinois Masonic Hospital on February 8, where she received a sexual assault evidence collection kit, according to the police report.

Doe told police she suspected the drink had been tampered with. The Chicago Police Department said its investigation remains open. The lawsuit also alleges that university police contacted Doe but later declined to release records concerning the case without a subpoena.

Grieco said the case addresses broader questions about fraternity oversight and institutional responsibility.

"There are always perpetrators committing crimes against others. But I think ... what we've seen around the country really is: 'Why hasn't this been stopped?'" Grieco said, according to WBEZ.

He also argued that institutions should take stronger preventive measures when previous incidents raise concerns about safety.

"Institutions have known for decades that fraternities can go off the rails. ... Each instance that occurs is another level of notice to put this school, put these fraternities on guard to say, 'Hey, we've got to do something about that.' And that's what this is about," he said.

The lawsuit cites previous allegations involving the Alpha Delta Phi chapter, including reports from 2009 and an anonymous account posted on Instagram in 2022. It alleges that the fraternity's national organization knew about earlier incidents and investigations.

Alpha Delta Phi said it suspended the member involved after learning of the allegations.

"The conduct described is deeply troubling and inconsistent with our values," the national organization said in a statement. "We are committed to the safety and well-being of our members and communities and will cooperate with law enforcement as appropriate."

The University of Chicago said the allegations were disturbing and confirmed its willingness to assist investigators. The university also emphasized that fraternities are not officially recognized student organizations, although its students remain subject to university policies and disciplinary procedures.

"The University of Chicago is committed to addressing and preventing incidents of sexual assault," a university spokesperson said.

The university added that it was not a defendant in the lawsuit against the fraternity and would provide information to assist the Chicago Police Department. It said further steps would be considered as additional information emerged.

The lawsuit comes amid a separate sexual assault investigation involving a party at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house near campus. A 21-year-old woman reported that incident to police after an alleged assault around 1:50 a.m. on October 11, 2026, according to university and police statements. The two cases concern different fraternity houses in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

In the separate investigation, the university said an individual intervened and the unidentified suspect fled the house. University police reviewed nearby camera footage and arranged for the woman to receive medical care at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

The university said it was working to support the woman and assist police. Both investigations have intensified scrutiny of sexual misconduct allegations connected to fraternity parties near the campus.