A spokesperson for the archdiocese said church officials hope the fund would cover settlements for most, if not all of the roughly 1,300 outstanding claims against the archdiocese.
Pope Francis on Friday issued sweeping new sex abuse legislation for Vatican personnel and Holy See diplomats that requires the immediate reporting of abuse allegations to Vatican prosecutors.
The Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis is a global problem with lasting grave impact.
Prosecutors in Illinois have charged Father Richard Jacklin with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Halloween.
Mark Ruffalo and writers of 'Spotlight' joined a protest by survivors of priest abuse at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Oscar Sunday.