Public Act 90-0027 of the 90th General Assembly
Public Act 90-0027
HB0066 Enrolled LRB9000715LDdv
AN ACT concerning children.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is
amended, if and only if the provisions of House Bill 165 of
the 90th General Assembly that are changed by this amendatory
Act of 1997 become law, by changing Sections 5 and 7 and
adding Section 6c as follows:
(20 ILCS 505/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 5005)
(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 89-507)
Sec. 5. To provide direct child welfare services when
not available through other public or private child care or
program facilities.
(a) For purposes of this Section:
(1) "Children" means persons found within the State
who are under the age of 18 years. The term also
includes persons under age 19 who:
(A) were committed to the Department pursuant
to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act
of 1987, as amended, prior to the age of 18 and who
continue under the jurisdiction of the court; or
(B) were accepted for care, service and
training by the Department prior to the age of 18
and whose best interest in the discretion of the
Department would be served by continuing that care,
service and training because of severe emotional
disturbances, physical disability, social adjustment
or any combination thereof, or because of the need
to complete an educational or vocational training
program.
(2) "Homeless youth" means persons found within the
State who are under the age of 19, are not in a safe and
stable living situation and cannot be reunited with their
families.
(3) "Child welfare services" means public social
services which are directed toward the accomplishment of
the following purposes:
(A) protecting and promoting the welfare of
children, including homeless, dependent or neglected
children;
(B) preventing or remedying, or assisting in
the solution of problems which may result in, the
neglect, abuse, exploitation or delinquency of
children;
(C) preventing the unnecessary separation of
children from their families by identifying family
problems, assisting families in resolving their
problems, and preventing the breakup of the family
where the prevention of child removal is desirable
and possible;
(D) restoring to their families children who
have been removed, by the provision of services to
the child and the families;
(E) placing children in suitable adoptive
homes, in cases where restoration to the biological
family is not possible or appropriate;
(F) assuring adequate care of children away
from their homes, in cases where the child cannot be
returned home or cannot be placed for adoption;
(G) providing supportive services and living
maintenance which contribute to the physical,
emotional and social well-being of children who are
pregnant and unmarried;
(H) providing shelter and independent living
services for homeless youth; and
(I) placing and maintaining children in
facilities that provide separate living quarters for
children under the age of 18 and for children 18
years of age and older, unless a child 18 years of
age is in the last year of high school education or
vocational training, in an approved individual or
group treatment program, or in a licensed shelter
facility. The Department is not required to place or
maintain children:
(i) who are in a foster home, or
(ii) who are persons with a developmental
disability, as defined in the Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities Code, or
(iii) who are female children who are
pregnant, pregnant and parenting or parenting,
or
(iv) who are siblings,
in facilities that provide separate living quarters
for children 18 years of age and older and for
children under 18 years of age.
(b) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to
authorize the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of
performing abortions.
(c) The Department shall establish and maintain
tax-supported child welfare services and extend and seek to
improve voluntary services throughout the State, to the end
that services and care shall be available on an equal basis
throughout the State to children requiring such services.
(d) The Director may authorize advance disbursements for
any new program initiative to any agency contracting with the
Department. As a prerequisite for an advance disbursement,
the contractor must post a surety bond in the amount of the
advance disbursement and have a purchase of service contract
approved by the Department. The Department may pay up to 2
months operational expenses in advance. The amount of the
advance disbursement shall be prorated over the life of the
contract or the remaining months of the fiscal year,
whichever is less, and the installment amount shall then be
deducted from future bills. Advance disbursement
authorizations for new initiatives shall not be made to any
agency after that agency has operated during 2 consecutive
fiscal years. The requirements of this Section concerning
advance disbursements shall not apply with respect to the
following: payments to local public agencies for child day
care services as authorized by Section 5a of this Act; and
youth service programs receiving grant funds under Section
17a-4.
(e) For the purpose of insuring effective state-wide
planning, development, and utilization of resources for the
day care of children, operated under various auspices, the
Department is hereby designated to coordinate all day care
activities for children of the State and shall:
(1) Develop on or before December 1, 1977, and
update every year thereafter, a state comprehensive
day-care plan for submission to the Governor which
identifies high-priority areas and groups, relating them
to available resources, and identifying the most
effective approaches to the use of existing day care
services. The State comprehensive day-care plan shall be
made available to the General Assembly following the
Governor's approval of the plan.
The plan shall include methods and procedures for
the development of additional day care resources for
children to meet the goal of reducing short-run and
long-run dependency and to provide necessary enrichment
and stimulation to the education of young children.
Recommendation shall be made for State policy on optimum
use of private and public, local, state and federal
resources, including an estimate of the resources needed
for the licensing and regulation of day care facilities.
A written report shall be submitted to the Governor
and the General Assembly, annually, on April 15, and
shall include an evaluation of developments over the
preceding fiscal year, including cost-benefit analyses of
various arrangements. Beginning with the report in 1990
and every 2 years thereafter, the report shall also
include the following:
(A) An assessment of the child care services,
needs and available resources throughout the State
and an assessment of the adequacy of existing child
care services, including, but not limited to,
services assisted under this Act and under any other
program administered by other State agencies.
(B) A survey of day care facilities to
determine the number of qualified caregivers, as
defined by rule, attracted to vacant positions and
any problems encountered by facilities in attracting
and retaining capable caregivers.
(C) The average wages and salaries and fringe
benefit packages paid to caregivers throughout the
State, computed on a regional basis.
(D) The qualifications of new caregivers hired
at licensed day care facilities during the previous
2 year period.
(E) Recommendations for increasing caregiver
wages and salaries to insure quality care for
children.
(F) Evaluation of the fee structure and income
eligibility for child care subsidized by the State.
The requirement for reporting to the General
Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the
report with the Speaker, the Minority Leader and the
Clerk of the House of Representatives and the President,
the Minority Leader and the Secretary of the Senate and
the Legislative Research Unit, as required by Section 3.1
of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such
additional copies with the State Government Report
Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is
required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State
Library Act.
(2) Establish policies and procedures for
developing and implementing interagency agreements with
other agencies of the State providing child care services
or reimbursement for such services.
(3) In cooperation with other State agencies,
develop and implement a resource and referral system for
the State of Illinois either within the Department or by
contract with local or regional agencies. Funding for
implementation of this system may be provided through
Department appropriations or other inter-agency funding
arrangements. The resource and referral system shall
provide at least the following services:
(A) assembling and maintaining a data base on
the supply of child care services;
(B) providing information and referrals for
parents;
(C) coordinating the development of new child
care resources;
(D) providing technical assistance and
training to child care service providers; and
(E) recording and analyzing the demand for
child care services.
The Department shall complete implementation of this
resource and referral system in all regions of the State
by January 1, 1992.
(4) Conduct day care planning activities with the
following priorities:
(A) development of voluntary day care
resources wherever possible, with the provision for
grants-in-aid only where demonstrated to be useful
and necessary as incentives or supports;
(B) emphasis on service to children of
recipients of public assistance where such service
will allow training or employment of the parent
toward achieving the goal of independence;
(C) maximum employment of recipients of public
assistance in day care centers and day care homes,
operated in conjunction with short-term work
training programs;
(D) care of children from families in stress
and crises whose members potentially may become, or
are in danger of becoming, non-productive and
dependent;
(E) expansion of family day care facilities
wherever possible;
(F) location of centers in economically
depressed neighborhoods, preferably in multi-service
centers with cooperation of other agencies;
(G) use of existing facilities free of charge
or for reasonable rental wherever possible in lieu
of construction;
(H) development of strategies for assuring a
more complete range of day care options, including
provision of day care services in homes, in schools
or in centers, which will enable a parent or parents
to complete a course of education or obtain or
maintain employment.
Emphasis shall be given to support services which
will help to ensure such parents' graduation from high
school and to services for participants in the Project
Chance program of job training conducted by the Illinois
Department of Public Aid.
(5) Actively stimulate the development of public
and private resources at the local level. It shall also
seek the fullest utilization of federal funds directly or
indirectly available to the Department.
Where appropriate, existing non-governmental agencies or
associations shall be involved in planning by the Department.
(f) The Department, pursuant to a contract with the
Illinois Department of Public Aid, may provide child care
services to former recipients of assistance under The
Illinois Public Aid Code as authorized by Section 9-6.3 of
that Code.
(g) The Department shall establish rules and regulations
concerning its operation of programs designed to meet the
goals of child protection, family preservation, family
reunification, adoption and youth development, including but
not limited to:
(1) adoption;
(2) foster care;
(3) family counseling;
(4) protective services;
(5) service to unwed mothers;
(6) homemaker service;
(7) return of runaway children;
(8) independent living skills and shelter for
homeless youth;
(9) placement under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile
Court Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 4-25 or 5-29 of the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the federal
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980; and
(10) interstate services.
Rules and regulations established by the Department shall
include provisions for training Department staff and the
staff of Department grantees, through contracts with other
agencies or resources, in alcohol and drug abuse screening
techniques to identify children and adults who should be
referred to an alcohol and drug abuse treatment program for
professional evaluation.
(h) If the Department finds that there is no appropriate
program or facility within or available to the Department for
a ward and that no licensed private facility has an adequate
and appropriate program or none agrees to accept the ward,
the Department shall create an appropriate individualized,
program-oriented plan for such ward. The plan may be
developed within the Department or through purchase of
services by the Department to the extent that it is within
its statutory authority to do.
(i) Service programs shall be available throughout the
State and shall include but not be limited to the following
services:
(1) case management;
(2) homemakers;
(3) counseling;
(4) parent education;
(5) day care; and
(6) emergency assistance and advocacy.
In addition, the following services may be made available
to assess and meet the needs of children and families:
(1) comprehensive family-based services;
(2) assessments;
(3) respite care; and
(4) in-home health services.
The Department shall provide transportation for any of
the services it makes available to children or families or
for which it refers children or families.
(j) The Department may provide financial assistance, and
shall establish rules and regulations concerning such
assistance, to persons who adopt physically or mentally
handicapped, older and other hard-to-place children who
immediately prior to their adoption were legal wards of the
Department. The Department may also provide financial
assistance, and shall establish rules and regulations for
such assistance, to persons appointed guardian of the person
under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27,
3-28, 4-25 or 5-29 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for
children who were wards of the Department for 12 months
immediately prior to the appointment of the successor
guardian and for whom the Department has set a goal of
permanent family placement with a foster family.
The amount of assistance may vary, depending upon the
needs of the child and the adoptive parents, but must be at
least $25 less than the monthly cost of care of the child in
a foster home, as set forth in the annual assistance
agreement. Special purpose grants are allowed where the
child requires special service but such costs may not exceed
the amounts which similar services would cost the Department
if it were to provide or secure them as guardian of the
child.
Any financial assistance provided under this subsection
is inalienable by assignment, sale, execution, attachment,
garnishment, or any other remedy for recovery or collection
of a judgment or debt.
(k) The Department shall accept for care and training
any child who has been adjudicated neglected or abused, or
dependent committed to it pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act
or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(l) Before July 1, 2000, the Department may provide, and
beginning July 1, 2000, the Department shall provide, family
preservation services, as determined to be appropriate and in
the child's best interests and when the child will not be in
imminent risk of harm, to any family whose child has been
placed in substitute care, any persons who have adopted a
child and require post-adoption services, or any persons
whose child or children are at risk of being placed outside
their home as documented by an "indicated" report of
suspected child abuse or neglect determined pursuant to the
Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to create a private right of
action or claim on the part of any individual or child
welfare agency.
The Department shall notify the child and his family of
the Department's responsibility to offer and provide family
preservation services as identified in the service plan. The
child and his family shall be eligible for services as soon
as the report is determined to be "indicated". The
Department may offer services to any child or family with
respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse or neglect
has been filed, prior to concluding its investigation under
Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
However, the child's or family's willingness to accept
services shall not be considered in the investigation. The
Department may also provide services to any child or family
who is the subject of any report of suspected child abuse or
neglect or may refer such child or family to services
available from other agencies in the community, even if the
report is determined to be unfounded, if the conditions in
the child's or family's home are reasonably likely to subject
the child or family to future reports of suspected child
abuse or neglect. Acceptance of such services shall be
voluntary.
The Department may, at its discretion except for those
children also adjudicated neglected or dependent, accept for
care and training any child who has been adjudicated
addicted, as a truant minor in need of supervision or as a
minor requiring authoritative intervention, under the
Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, but no
such child shall be committed to the Department by any court
without the approval of the Department. A minor charged with
a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or
adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of
or committed to the Department by any court, except a minor
less than 13 years of age committed to the Department under
Section 5-23 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(m) The Department may assume temporary custody of any
child if:
(1) it has received a written consent to such
temporary custody signed by the parents of the child or
by the parent having custody of the child if the parents
are not living together or by the guardian or custodian
of the child if the child is not in the custody of either
parent, or
(2) the child is found in the State and neither a
parent, guardian nor custodian of the child can be
located.
If the child is found in his or her residence without a
parent, guardian, custodian or responsible caretaker, the
Department may, instead of removing the child and assuming
temporary custody, place an authorized representative of the
Department in that residence until such time as a parent,
guardian or custodian enters the home and expresses a
willingness and apparent ability to resume permanent charge
of the child, or until a relative enters the home and is
willing and able to assume charge of the child until a
parent, guardian or custodian enters the home and expresses
such willingness and ability to resume permanent charge.
After a caretaker has remained in the home for a period not
to exceed 12 hours, the Department must follow those
procedures outlined in Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8 or 5-9 of the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
The Department shall have the authority, responsibilities
and duties that a legal custodian of the child would have
pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile
Court Act of 1987. Whenever a child is taken into temporary
custody pursuant to an investigation under the Abused and
Neglected Child Reporting Act, or pursuant to a referral and
acceptance under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 of a minor in
limited custody, the Department, during the period of
temporary custody and before the child is brought before a
judicial officer as required by Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8 or 5-9
of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, shall have the authority,
responsibilities and duties that a legal custodian of the
child would have under subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
The Department shall ensure that any child taken into
custody is scheduled for an appointment for a medical
examination.
A parent, guardian or custodian of a child in the
temporary custody of the Department who would have custody of
the child if he were not in the temporary custody of the
Department may deliver to the Department a signed request
that the Department surrender the temporary custody of the
child. The Department may retain temporary custody of the
child for 10 days after the receipt of the request, during
which period the Department may cause to be filed a petition
pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. If a petition is
so filed, the Department shall retain temporary custody of
the child until the court orders otherwise. If a petition is
not filed within the 10 day period, the child shall be
surrendered to the custody of the requesting parent, guardian
or custodian not later than the expiration of the 10 day
period, at which time the authority and duties of the
Department with respect to the temporary custody of the child
shall terminate.
(n) The Department may place children under 18 years of
age in licensed child care facilities when in the opinion of
the Department, appropriate services aimed at family
preservation have been unsuccessful or unavailable and such
placement would be for their best interest. Payment for
board, clothing, care, training and supervision of any child
placed in a licensed child care facility may be made by the
Department, by the parents or guardians of the estates of
those children, or by both the Department and the parents or
guardians, except that no payments shall be made by the
Department for any child placed in a licensed child care
facility for board, clothing, care, training and supervision
of such a child that exceed the average per capita cost of
maintaining and of caring for a child in institutions for
dependent or neglected children operated by the Department.
However, such restriction on payments does not apply in cases
where children require specialized care and treatment for
problems of severe emotional disturbance, physical
disability, social adjustment, or any combination thereof and
suitable facilities for the placement of such children are
not available at payment rates within the limitations set
forth in this Section. All reimbursements for services
delivered shall be absolutely inalienable by assignment,
sale, attachment, garnishment or otherwise.
(o) The Department shall establish an administrative
review and appeal process for children and families who
request or receive child welfare services from the
Department. Children who are wards of the Department and are
placed by private child welfare agencies, and foster families
with whom those children are placed, shall be afforded the
same procedural and appeal rights as children and families in
the case of placement by the Department, including the right
to an initial review of a private agency decision by that
agency. The Department shall insure that any private child
welfare agency, which accepts wards of the Department for
placement, affords those rights to children and foster
families. The Department shall accept for administrative
review and an appeal hearing a complaint made by a child or
foster family concerning a decision following an initial
review by a private child welfare agency. An appeal of a
decision concerning a change in the placement of a child
shall be conducted in an expedited manner.
(p) There is hereby created the Department of Children
and Family Services Emergency Assistance Fund from which the
Department may provide special financial assistance to
families which are in economic crisis when such assistance is
not available through other public or private sources and the
assistance is deemed necessary to prevent dissolution of the
family unit or to reunite families which have been separated
due to child abuse and neglect. The Department shall
establish administrative rules specifying the criteria for
determining eligibility for and the amount and nature of
assistance to be provided. The Department may also enter
into written agreements with private and public social
service agencies to provide emergency financial services to
families referred by the Department. Special financial
assistance payments shall be available to a family no more
than once during each fiscal year and the total payments to a
family may not exceed $500 during a fiscal year.
(q) The Department may receive and use, in their
entirety, for the benefit of children any gift, donation or
bequest of money or other property which is received on
behalf of such children, or any financial benefits to which
such children are or may become entitled while under the
jurisdiction or care of the Department.
The Department shall set up and administer no-cost,
interest-bearing savings accounts in appropriate financial
institutions ("individual accounts") for children for whom
the Department is legally responsible and who have been
determined eligible for Veterans' Benefits, Social Security
benefits, assistance allotments from the armed forces, court
ordered payments, parental voluntary payments, Supplemental
Security Income, Railroad Retirement payments, Black Lung
benefits, or other miscellaneous payments. Interest earned
by each individual account shall be credited to the account,
unless disbursed in accordance with this subsection.
In disbursing funds from children's individual accounts,
the Department shall:
(1) Establish standards in accordance with State
and federal laws for disbursing money from children's
individual accounts. In all circumstances, the
Department's "Guardianship Administrator" or his or her
designee must approve disbursements from children's
individual accounts. The Department shall be responsible
for keeping complete records of all disbursements for
each individual account for any purpose.
(2) Calculate on a monthly basis the amounts paid
from State funds for the child's board and care, medical
care not covered under Medicaid, and social services; and
utilize funds from the child's individual account, as
covered by regulation, to reimburse those costs.
Monthly, disbursements from all children's individual
accounts, up to 1/12 of $13,000,000, shall be deposited
by the Department into the General Revenue Fund and the
balance over 1/12 of $13,000,000 into the DCFS Children's
Services Fund.
(3) Maintain any balance remaining after
reimbursing for the child's costs of care, as specified
in item (2). The balance shall accumulate in accordance
with relevant State and federal laws and shall be
disbursed to the child or his or her guardian, or to the
issuing agency.
(r) The Department shall promulgate regulations
encouraging all adoption agencies to voluntarily forward to
the Department or its agent names and addresses of all
persons who have applied for and have been approved for
adoption of a hard-to-place or handicapped child and the
names of such children who have not been placed for adoption.
A list of such names and addresses shall be maintained by the
Department or its agent, and coded lists which maintain the
confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and
of the child shall be made available, without charge, to
every adoption agency in the State to assist the agencies in
placing such children for adoption. The Department may
delegate to an agent its duty to maintain and make available
such lists. The Department shall ensure that such agent
maintains the confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt
the child and of the child.
(s) The Department of Children and Family Services may
establish and implement a program to reimburse Department and
private child welfare agency foster parents licensed by the
Department of Children and Family Services for damages
sustained by the foster parents as a result of the malicious
or negligent acts of foster children, as well as providing
third party coverage for such foster parents with regard to
actions of foster children to other individuals. Such
coverage will be secondary to the foster parent liability
insurance policy, if applicable. The program shall be funded
through appropriations from the General Revenue Fund,
specifically designated for such purposes.
(t) The Department shall perform home studies and
investigations and shall exercise supervision over visitation
as ordered by a court pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and
Dissolution of Marriage Act or the Adoption Act only if:
(1) an order entered by an Illinois court
specifically directs the Department to perform such
services; and
(2) the court has ordered one or both of the
parties to the proceeding to reimburse the Department for
its reasonable costs for providing such services in
accordance with Department rules, or has determined that
neither party is financially able to pay.
The Department shall provide written notification to the
court of the specific arrangements for supervised visitation
and projected monthly costs within 60 days of the court
order. The Department shall send to the court information
related to the costs incurred except in cases where the court
has determined the parties are financially unable to pay. The
court may order additional periodic reports as appropriate.
(u) Whenever the Department places a child in a licensed
foster home, group home, child care institution, or in a
relative home, the Department shall provide to the caretaker:
(1) available detailed information concerning the
child's educational and health history, copies of
immunization records (including insurance and medical
card information), a history of the child's previous
placements, if any, and reasons for placement changes
excluding any information that identifies or reveals the
location of any previous caretaker;
(2) a copy of the child's portion of the client
service plan, including any visitation arrangement, and
all amendments or revisions to it as related to the
child; and
(3) information containing details of the child's
individualized educational plan when the child is
receiving special education services.
The caretaker shall be informed of any known social or
behavioral information (including, but not limited to, fire
setting, perpetuation of sexual abuse, destructive behavior,
and substance abuse) necessary to care for and safeguard the
child.
(u-5) Effective July 1, 1995, only foster care
placements licensed as foster family homes pursuant to the
Child Care Act of 1969 shall be eligible to receive foster
care payments from the Department. Relative caregivers who,
as of July 1, 1995, were approved pursuant to approved
relative placement rules previously promulgated by the
Department at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 335 and had submitted an
application for licensure as a foster family home may
continue to receive foster care payments only until the
Department determines that they may be licensed as a foster
family home or that their application for licensure is denied
or until September 30, 1995, whichever occurs first.
(v) The Department shall access criminal history record
information as defined in the Illinois Uniform Conviction
Information Act and information maintained in the
adjudicatory and dispositional record system as defined in
subdivision (A)19 of Section 55a of the Civil Administrative
Code of Illinois if the Department determines the information
is necessary to perform its duties under the Abused and
Neglected Child Reporting Act, the Child Care Act of 1969,
and the Children and Family Services Act. The Department
shall provide for interactive computerized communication and
processing equipment that permits direct on-line
communication with the Department of State Police's central
criminal history data repository. The Department shall
comply with all certification requirements and provide
certified operators who have been trained by personnel from
the Department of State Police. In addition, one Office of
the Inspector General investigator shall have training in the
use of the criminal history information access system and
have access to the terminal. The Department of Children and
Family Services and its employees shall abide by rules and
regulations established by the Department of State Police
relating to the access and dissemination of this information.
(w) Within 120 days of August 20, 1995 (the effective
date of Public Act 89-392), the Department shall prepare and
submit to the Governor and the General Assembly, a written
plan for the development of in-state licensed secure child
care facilities that care for children who are in need of
secure living arrangements for their health, safety, and
well-being. For purposes of this subsection, secure care
facility shall mean a facility that is designed and operated
to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility, a
building or a distinct part of the building, are under the
exclusive control of the staff of the facility, whether or
not the child has the freedom of movement within the
perimeter of the facility, building, or distinct part of the
building. The plan shall include descriptions of the types
of facilities that are needed in Illinois; the cost of
developing these secure care facilities; the estimated number
of placements; the potential cost savings resulting from the
movement of children currently out-of-state who are projected
to be returned to Illinois; the necessary geographic
distribution of these facilities in Illinois; and a proposed
timetable for development of such facilities.
(Source: P.A. 88-380; 88-398; 88-487; 88-614, eff. 9-7-94;
88-670, eff. 12-2-94; 89-21, eff. 6-6-95; 89-392, eff.
8-20-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 89-507)
Sec. 5. Direct child welfare services; Department of
Children and Family Services. To provide direct child welfare
services when not available through other public or private
child care or program facilities.
(a) For purposes of this Section:
(1) "Children" means persons found within the State
who are under the age of 18 years. The term also
includes persons under age 19 who:
(A) were committed to the Department pursuant
to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act
of 1987, as amended, prior to the age of 18 and who
continue under the jurisdiction of the court; or
(B) were accepted for care, service and
training by the Department prior to the age of 18
and whose best interest in the discretion of the
Department would be served by continuing that care,
service and training because of severe emotional
disturbances, physical disability, social adjustment
or any combination thereof, or because of the need
to complete an educational or vocational training
program.
(2) "Homeless youth" means persons found within the
State who are under the age of 19, are not in a safe and
stable living situation and cannot be reunited with their
families.
(3) "Child welfare services" means public social
services which are directed toward the accomplishment of
the following purposes:
(A) protecting and promoting the health,
safety and welfare of children, including homeless,
dependent or neglected children;
(B) remedying, or assisting in the solution of
problems which may result in, the neglect, abuse,
exploitation or delinquency of children;
(C) preventing the unnecessary separation of
children from their families by identifying family
problems, assisting families in resolving their
problems, and preventing the breakup of the family
where the prevention of child removal is desirable
and possible when the child can be cared for at home
without endangering the child's health and safety;
(D) restoring to their families children who
have been removed, by the provision of services to
the child and the families when the child can be
cared for at home without endangering the child's
health and safety;
(E) placing children in suitable adoptive
homes, in cases where restoration to the biological
family is not safe, possible or appropriate;
(F) assuring safe and adequate care of
children away from their homes, in cases where the
child cannot be returned home or cannot be placed
for adoption. At the time of placement, the
Department shall consider concurrent planning, as
described in subsection (l-1) of this Section so
that permanency may occur at the earliest
opportunity. Consideration should be given so that
if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement
made is the best available placement to provide
permanency for the child;
(G) (blank);
(H) (blank); and
(I) placing and maintaining children in
facilities that provide separate living quarters for
children under the age of 18 and for children 18
years of age and older, unless a child 18 years of
age is in the last year of high school education or
vocational training, in an approved individual or
group treatment program, or in a licensed shelter
facility. The Department is not required to place or
maintain children:
(i) who are in a foster home, or
(ii) who are persons with a developmental
disability, as defined in the Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities Code, or
(iii) who are female children who are
pregnant, pregnant and parenting or parenting,
or
(iv) who are siblings,
in facilities that provide separate living quarters
for children 18 years of age and older and for
children under 18 years of age.
(b) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to
authorize the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of
performing abortions.
(c) The Department shall establish and maintain
tax-supported child welfare services and extend and seek to
improve voluntary services throughout the State, to the end
that services and care shall be available on an equal basis
throughout the State to children requiring such services.
(d) The Director may authorize advance disbursements for
any new program initiative to any agency contracting with the
Department. As a prerequisite for an advance disbursement,
the contractor must post a surety bond in the amount of the
advance disbursement and have a purchase of service contract
approved by the Department. The Department may pay up to 2
months operational expenses in advance. The amount of the
advance disbursement shall be prorated over the life of the
contract or the remaining months of the fiscal year,
whichever is less, and the installment amount shall then be
deducted from future bills. Advance disbursement
authorizations for new initiatives shall not be made to any
agency after that agency has operated during 2 consecutive
fiscal years. The requirements of this Section concerning
advance disbursements shall not apply with respect to the
following: payments to local public agencies for child day
care services as authorized by Section 5a of this Act; and
youth service programs receiving grant funds under Section
17a-4.
(e) (Blank).
(f) (Blank).
(g) The Department shall establish rules and regulations
concerning its operation of programs designed to meet the
goals of child safety and protection, family preservation,
family reunification, and adoption, including but not limited
to:
(1) adoption;
(2) foster care;
(3) family counseling;
(4) protective services;
(5) (blank);
(6) homemaker service;
(7) return of runaway children;
(8) (blank);
(9) placement under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile
Court Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 4-25 or 5-29 of the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the federal
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980; and
(10) interstate services.
Rules and regulations established by the Department shall
include provisions for training Department staff and the
staff of Department grantees, through contracts with other
agencies or resources, in alcohol and drug abuse screening
techniques to identify children and adults who should be
referred to an alcohol and drug abuse treatment program for
professional evaluation.
(h) If the Department finds that there is no appropriate
program or facility within or available to the Department for
a ward and that no licensed private facility has an adequate
and appropriate program or none agrees to accept the ward,
the Department shall create an appropriate individualized,
program-oriented plan for such ward. The plan may be
developed within the Department or through purchase of
services by the Department to the extent that it is within
its statutory authority to do.
(i) Service programs shall be available throughout the
State and shall include but not be limited to the following
services:
(1) case management;
(2) homemakers;
(3) counseling;
(4) parent education;
(5) day care; and
(6) emergency assistance and advocacy.
In addition, the following services may be made available
to assess and meet the needs of children and families:
(1) comprehensive family-based services;
(2) assessments;
(3) respite care; and
(4) in-home health services.
The Department shall provide transportation for any of
the services it makes available to children or families or
for which it refers children or families.
(j) The Department may provide financial assistance, and
shall establish rules and regulations concerning such
assistance, to persons who adopt physically or mentally
handicapped, older and other hard-to-place children who
immediately prior to their adoption were legal wards of the
Department. The Department may also provide financial
assistance, and shall establish rules and regulations for
such assistance, to persons appointed guardian of the person
under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27,
3-28, 4-25 or 5-29 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for
children who were wards of the Department for 12 months
immediately prior to the appointment of the successor
guardian and for whom the Department has set a goal of
permanent family placement with a foster family.
The amount of assistance may vary, depending upon the
needs of the child and the adoptive parents, but must be at
least $25 less than the monthly cost of care of the child in
a foster home, as set forth in the annual assistance
agreement. Special purpose grants are allowed where the
child requires special service but such costs may not exceed
the amounts which similar services would cost the Department
if it were to provide or secure them as guardian of the
child.
Any financial assistance provided under this subsection
is inalienable by assignment, sale, execution, attachment,
garnishment, or any other remedy for recovery or collection
of a judgment or debt.
(k) The Department shall accept for care and training
any child who has been adjudicated neglected or abused, or
dependent committed to it pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act
or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(l) Before July 1, 2000, the Department may provide, and
beginning July 1, 2000, the Department shall provide, family
preservation services, as determined to be appropriate and in
the child's best interests and when the child will be safe
and not be in imminent risk of harm, to any family whose
child has been placed in substitute care, any persons who
have adopted a child and require post-adoption services, or
any persons whose child or children are at risk of being
placed outside their home as documented by an "indicated"
report of suspected child abuse or neglect determined
pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to create a
private right of action or claim on the part of any
individual or child welfare agency.
The Department shall notify the child and his family of
the Department's responsibility to offer and provide family
preservation services as identified in the service plan. The
child and his family shall be eligible for services as soon
as the report is determined to be "indicated". The
Department may offer services to any child or family with
respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse or neglect
has been filed, prior to concluding its investigation under
Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
However, the child's or family's willingness to accept
services shall not be considered in the investigation. The
Department may also provide services to any child or family
who is the subject of any report of suspected child abuse or
neglect or may refer such child or family to services
available from other agencies in the community, even if the
report is determined to be unfounded, if the conditions in
the child's or family's home are reasonably likely to subject
the child or family to future reports of suspected child
abuse or neglect. Acceptance of such services shall be
voluntary.
The Department may, at its discretion except for those
children also adjudicated neglected or dependent, accept for
care and training any child who has been adjudicated
addicted, as a truant minor in need of supervision or as a
minor requiring authoritative intervention, under the
Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, but no
such child shall be committed to the Department by any court
without the approval of the Department. A minor charged with
a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or
adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of
or committed to the Department by any court, except a minor
less than 13 years of age committed to the Department under
Section 5-23 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(l-1) The legislature recognizes that the best interests
of the child require that the child be placed in the most
permanent living arrangement as soon as is practically
possible. To achieve this goal, the legislature directs the
Department of Children and Family Services to conduct
concurrent planning so that permanency may occur at the
earliest opportunity. Permanent living arrangements may
include prevention of placement of a child outside the home
of the family when the child can be cared for at home without
endangering the child's health or safety; reunification with
the family, when safe and appropriate, if temporary placement
is necessary; or movement of the child toward the most
permanent living arrangement and permanent legal status.
When a child is placed in foster care, the Department
shall ensure and document that reasonable efforts were made
to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the
child's home. The Department must make reasonable efforts to
reunify the family when temporary placement of the child
occurs or must request a finding from the court that
reasonable efforts are not appropriate or have been
unsuccessful. At any time after the dispositional hearing
where the Department believes that further reunification
services would be ineffective, it may request a finding from
the court that reasonable efforts are no longer appropriate.
The Department is not required to provide further
reunification services after such a finding.
A decision to place a child in substitute care shall be
made with considerations of the child's health, safety, and
best interests. At the time of placement, consideration
should also be given so that if reunification fails or is
delayed, the placement made is the best available placement
to provide permanency for the child.
The Department shall adopt rules addressing concurrent
planning for reunification and permanency. The Department
shall consider the following factors when determining
appropriateness of concurrent planning:
(1) the likelihood of prompt reunification;
(2) the past history of the family;
(3) the barriers to reunification being addressed
by the family;
(4) the level of cooperation of the family;
(5) the foster parents' willingness to work with
the family to reunite;
(6) the willingness and ability of the foster
family to provide an adoptive home or long-term
placement;
(7) the age of the child;
(8) placement of siblings.
(m) The Department may assume temporary custody of any
child if:
(1) it has received a written consent to such
temporary custody signed by the parents of the child or
by the parent having custody of the child if the parents
are not living together or by the guardian or custodian
of the child if the child is not in the custody of either
parent, or
(2) the child is found in the State and neither a
parent, guardian nor custodian of the child can be
located.
If the child is found in his or her residence without a
parent, guardian, custodian or responsible caretaker, the
Department may, instead of removing the child and assuming
temporary custody, place an authorized representative of the
Department in that residence until such time as a parent,
guardian or custodian enters the home and expresses a
willingness and apparent ability to ensure the child's health
and safety and resume permanent charge of the child, or until
a relative enters the home and is willing and able to ensure
the child's health and safety and assume charge of the child
until a parent, guardian or custodian enters the home and
expresses such willingness and ability to ensure the child's
safety and resume permanent charge. After a caretaker has
remained in the home for a period not to exceed 12 hours, the
Department must follow those procedures outlined in Section
2-9, 3-11, 4-8 or 5-9 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
The Department shall have the authority, responsibilities
and duties that a legal custodian of the child would have
pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile
Court Act of 1987. Whenever a child is taken into temporary
custody pursuant to an investigation under the Abused and
Neglected Child Reporting Act, or pursuant to a referral and
acceptance under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 of a minor in
limited custody, the Department, during the period of
temporary custody and before the child is brought before a
judicial officer as required by Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8 or 5-9
of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, shall have the authority,
responsibilities and duties that a legal custodian of the
child would have under subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the
Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
The Department shall ensure that any child taken into
custody is scheduled for an appointment for a medical
examination.
A parent, guardian or custodian of a child in the
temporary custody of the Department who would have custody of
the child if he were not in the temporary custody of the
Department may deliver to the Department a signed request
that the Department surrender the temporary custody of the
child. The Department may retain temporary custody of the
child for 10 days after the receipt of the request, during
which period the Department may cause to be filed a petition
pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. If a petition is
so filed, the Department shall retain temporary custody of
the child until the court orders otherwise. If a petition is
not filed within the 10 day period, the child shall be
surrendered to the custody of the requesting parent, guardian
or custodian not later than the expiration of the 10 day
period, at which time the authority and duties of the
Department with respect to the temporary custody of the child
shall terminate.
(n) The Department may place children under 18 years of
age in licensed child care facilities when in the opinion of
the Department, appropriate services aimed at family
preservation have been unsuccessful and cannot ensure the
child's health and safety or are unavailable and such
placement would be for their best interest. Payment for
board, clothing, care, training and supervision of any child
placed in a licensed child care facility may be made by the
Department, by the parents or guardians of the estates of
those children, or by both the Department and the parents or
guardians, except that no payments shall be made by the
Department for any child placed in a licensed child care
facility for board, clothing, care, training and supervision
of such a child that exceed the average per capita cost of
maintaining and of caring for a child in institutions for
dependent or neglected children operated by the Department.
However, such restriction on payments does not apply in cases
where children require specialized care and treatment for
problems of severe emotional disturbance, physical
disability, social adjustment, or any combination thereof and
suitable facilities for the placement of such children are
not available at payment rates within the limitations set
forth in this Section. All reimbursements for services
delivered shall be absolutely inalienable by assignment,
sale, attachment, garnishment or otherwise.
(o) The Department shall establish an administrative
review and appeal process for children and families who
request or receive child welfare services from the
Department. Children who are wards of the Department and are
placed by private child welfare agencies, and foster families
with whom those children are placed, shall be afforded the
same procedural and appeal rights as children and families in
the case of placement by the Department, including the right
to an initial review of a private agency decision by that
agency. The Department shall insure that any private child
welfare agency, which accepts wards of the Department for
placement, affords those rights to children and foster
families. The Department shall accept for administrative
review and an appeal hearing a complaint made by a child or
foster family concerning a decision following an initial
review by a private child welfare agency. An appeal of a
decision concerning a change in the placement of a child
shall be conducted in an expedited manner.
(p) There is hereby created the Department of Children
and Family Services Emergency Assistance Fund from which the
Department may provide special financial assistance to
families which are in economic crisis when such assistance is
not available through other public or private sources and the
assistance is deemed necessary to prevent dissolution of the
family unit or to reunite families which have been separated
due to child abuse and neglect. The Department shall
establish administrative rules specifying the criteria for
determining eligibility for and the amount and nature of
assistance to be provided. The Department may also enter
into written agreements with private and public social
service agencies to provide emergency financial services to
families referred by the Department. Special financial
assistance payments shall be available to a family no more
than once during each fiscal year and the total payments to a
family may not exceed $500 during a fiscal year.
(q) The Department may receive and use, in their
entirety, for the benefit of children any gift, donation or
bequest of money or other property which is received on
behalf of such children, or any financial benefits to which
such children are or may become entitled while under the
jurisdiction or care of the Department.
The Department shall set up and administer no-cost,
interest-bearing savings accounts in appropriate financial
institutions ("individual accounts") for children for whom
the Department is legally responsible and who have been
determined eligible for Veterans' Benefits, Social Security
benefits, assistance allotments from the armed forces, court
ordered payments, parental voluntary payments, Supplemental
Security Income, Railroad Retirement payments, Black Lung
benefits, or other miscellaneous payments. Interest earned
by each individual account shall be credited to the account,
unless disbursed in accordance with this subsection.
In disbursing funds from children's individual accounts,
the Department shall:
(1) Establish standards in accordance with State
and federal laws for disbursing money from children's
individual accounts. In all circumstances, the
Department's "Guardianship Administrator" or his or her
designee must approve disbursements from children's
individual accounts. The Department shall be responsible
for keeping complete records of all disbursements for
each individual account for any purpose.
(2) Calculate on a monthly basis the amounts paid
from State funds for the child's board and care, medical
care not covered under Medicaid, and social services; and
utilize funds from the child's individual account, as
covered by regulation, to reimburse those costs.
Monthly, disbursements from all children's individual
accounts, up to 1/12 of $13,000,000, shall be deposited
by the Department into the General Revenue Fund and the
balance over 1/12 of $13,000,000 into the DCFS Children's
Services Fund.
(3) Maintain any balance remaining after
reimbursing for the child's costs of care, as specified
in item (2). The balance shall accumulate in accordance
with relevant State and federal laws and shall be
disbursed to the child or his or her guardian, or to the
issuing agency.
(r) The Department shall promulgate regulations
encouraging all adoption agencies to voluntarily forward to
the Department or its agent names and addresses of all
persons who have applied for and have been approved for
adoption of a hard-to-place or handicapped child and the
names of such children who have not been placed for adoption.
A list of such names and addresses shall be maintained by the
Department or its agent, and coded lists which maintain the
confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and
of the child shall be made available, without charge, to
every adoption agency in the State to assist the agencies in
placing such children for adoption. The Department may
delegate to an agent its duty to maintain and make available
such lists. The Department shall ensure that such agent
maintains the confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt
the child and of the child.
(s) The Department of Children and Family Services may
establish and implement a program to reimburse Department and
private child welfare agency foster parents licensed by the
Department of Children and Family Services for damages
sustained by the foster parents as a result of the malicious
or negligent acts of foster children, as well as providing
third party coverage for such foster parents with regard to
actions of foster children to other individuals. Such
coverage will be secondary to the foster parent liability
insurance policy, if applicable. The program shall be funded
through appropriations from the General Revenue Fund,
specifically designated for such purposes.
(t) The Department shall perform home studies and
investigations and shall exercise supervision over visitation
as ordered by a court pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and
Dissolution of Marriage Act or the Adoption Act only if:
(1) an order entered by an Illinois court
specifically directs the Department to perform such
services; and
(2) the court has ordered one or both of the
parties to the proceeding to reimburse the Department for
its reasonable costs for providing such services in
accordance with Department rules, or has determined that
neither party is financially able to pay.
The Department shall provide written notification to the
court of the specific arrangements for supervised visitation
and projected monthly costs within 60 days of the court
order. The Department shall send to the court information
related to the costs incurred except in cases where the court
has determined the parties are financially unable to pay. The
court may order additional periodic reports as appropriate.
(u) Whenever the Department places a child in a licensed
foster home, group home, child care institution, or in a
relative home, the Department shall provide to the caretaker:
(1) available detailed information concerning the
child's educational and health history, copies of
immunization records (including insurance and medical
card information), a history of the child's previous
placements, if any, and reasons for placement changes
excluding any information that identifies or reveals the
location of any previous caretaker;
(2) a copy of the child's portion of the client
service plan, including any visitation arrangement, and
all amendments or revisions to it as related to the
child; and
(3) information containing details of the child's
individualized educational plan when the child is
receiving special education services.
The caretaker shall be informed of any known social or
behavioral information (including, but not limited to, fire
setting, perpetuation of sexual abuse, destructive behavior,
and substance abuse) necessary to care for and safeguard the
child.
(u-5) Effective July 1, 1995, only foster care
placements licensed as foster family homes pursuant to the
Child Care Act of 1969 shall be eligible to receive foster
care payments from the Department. Relative caregivers who,
as of July 1, 1995, were approved pursuant to approved
relative placement rules previously promulgated by the
Department at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 335 and had submitted an
application for licensure as a foster family home may
continue to receive foster care payments only until the
Department determines that they may be licensed as a foster
family home or that their application for licensure is denied
or until September 30, 1995, whichever occurs first.
(v) The Department shall access criminal history record
information as defined in the Illinois Uniform Conviction
Information Act and information maintained in the
adjudicatory and dispositional record system as defined in
subdivision (A)19 of Section 55a of the Civil Administrative
Code of Illinois if the Department determines the information
is necessary to perform its duties under the Abused and
Neglected Child Reporting Act, the Child Care Act of 1969,
and the Children and Family Services Act. The Department
shall provide for interactive computerized communication and
processing equipment that permits direct on-line
communication with the Department of State Police's central
criminal history data repository. The Department shall
comply with all certification requirements and provide
certified operators who have been trained by personnel from
the Department of State Police. In addition, one Office of
the Inspector General investigator shall have training in the
use of the criminal history information access system and
have access to the terminal. The Department of Children and
Family Services and its employees shall abide by rules and
regulations established by the Department of State Police
relating to the access and dissemination of this information.
(w) Within 120 days of August 20, 1995 (the effective
date of Public Act 89-392), the Department shall prepare and
submit to the Governor and the General Assembly, a written
plan for the development of in-state licensed secure child
care facilities that care for children who are in need of
secure living arrangements for their health, safety, and
well-being. For purposes of this subsection, secure care
facility shall mean a facility that is designed and operated
to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility, a
building or a distinct part of the building, are under the
exclusive control of the staff of the facility, whether or
not the child has the freedom of movement within the
perimeter of the facility, building, or distinct part of the
building. The plan shall include descriptions of the types
of facilities that are needed in Illinois; the cost of
developing these secure care facilities; the estimated number
of placements; the potential cost savings resulting from the
movement of children currently out-of-state who are projected
to be returned to Illinois; the necessary geographic
distribution of these facilities in Illinois; and a proposed
timetable for development of such facilities.
(Source: P.A. 88-380; 88-398; 88-487; 88-614, eff. 9-7-94;
88-670, eff. 12-2-94; 89-21, eff. 6-6-95; 89-392, eff.
8-20-95; 89-507, eff. 7-1-97; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96; 90HB165eng
with sam01.)
(20 ILCS 505/6c new)
Sec. 6c. Parental inquiry. The Department shall
maintain a system of response to inquiry made by parents or
putative parents as to whether their child is under the
custody or guardianship of the Department; and if so, the
Department shall direct the parents or putative parents to
the appropriate court of jurisdiction, including where
inquiry may be made of the clerk of the court regarding the
case number and the next scheduled court date of the minor's
case. Effective notice and the means of accessing
information shall be given to the public on a continuing
basis by the Department.
(20 ILCS 505/7) (from Ch. 23, par. 5007)
Sec. 7. Placement of children; considerations.
(a) In placing any child under this Act, the Department
shall place such child, as far as possible, in the care and
custody of some individual holding the same religious belief
as the parents of the child, or with some child care facility
which is operated by persons of like religious faith as the
parents of such child.
(b) In placing a child under this Act, the Department
may place a child with a relative if the Department has
reason to believe that the relative will be able to
adequately provide for the child's safety and welfare. The
Department may not place a child with a relative, with the
exception of certain circumstances which may be waived as
defined by the Department in rules, if the results of a check
of the Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS) identifies
a prior criminal conviction of the relative or any adult
member of the relative's household for any of the following
offenses under the Criminal Code of 1961:
(1) murder;
(1.1) solicitation of murder;
(1.2) solicitation of murder for hire;
(1.3) intentional homicide of an unborn child;
(1.4) voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
(1.5) involuntary manslaughter;
(1.6) reckless homicide;
(1.7) concealment of a homicidal death;
(1.8) involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
(1.9) reckless homicide of an unborn child;
(1.10) drug-induced homicide;
(2) a sex offense under Article 11, except offenses
described in Sections 11-7, 11-8, 11-12, and 11-13;
(3) kidnapping;
(3.1) aggravated unlawful restraint;
(3.2) forcible detention;
(3.3) aiding and abetting child abduction;
(4) aggravated kidnapping;
(5) child abduction;
(6) aggravated battery of a child;
(7) criminal sexual assault;
(8) aggravated criminal sexual assault;
(8.1) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child;
(9) criminal sexual abuse;
(10) aggravated sexual abuse;
(11) heinous battery;
(12) aggravated battery with a firearm;
(13) tampering with food, drugs, or cosmetics;
(14) drug-induced infliction of great bodily harm;
(15) aggravated stalking;
(16) home invasion;
(17) vehicular invasion;
(18) criminal transmission of HIV;
(19) criminal neglect of an elderly or disabled
person;
(20) child abandonment;
(21) endangering the life or health of a child;
(22) ritual mutilation;
(23) ritualized abuse of a child;
(24) an offense in any other state the elements of
which are similar and bear a substantial relationship to
any of the foregoing offenses.
For the purpose of this subsection, "relative" shall include
any person, 21 years of age or over, other than the parent,
who (i) is currently related to the child in any of the
following ways by blood or adoption: grandparent, sibling,
great-grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin,
great-uncle, or great-aunt; or (ii) is the spouse of such a
relative; or (iii) is the child's step-father, step-mother,
or adult step-brother or step-sister; "relative" also
includes a person related in any of the foregoing ways to a
sibling of a child, even though the person is not related to
the child, when the child and its sibling are placed together
with that person. A relative with whom a child is placed
pursuant to this subsection may, but is not required to,
apply for licensure as a foster family home pursuant to the
Child Care Act of 1969; provided, however, that as of July 1,
1995, foster care payments shall be made only to licensed
foster family homes pursuant to the terms of Section 5 of
this Act.
(c) In placing a child under this Act, the Department
shall ensure that the child's health, safety, and best
interests are met by giving due, not sole, consideration to
the child's race or ethnic heritage in making a family foster
care placement. The Department shall consider the cultural,
ethnic, or racial background of the child and the capacity of
the prospective foster or adoptive parents to meet the needs
of a child of this background as one of a number of factors
used to determine the best interests of the child. The
Department shall make special efforts for the diligent
recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that
reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the children for
whom foster and adoptive homes are needed. "Special efforts"
shall include contacting and working with community
organizations and religious organizations and may include
contracting with those organizations, utilizing local media
and other local resources, and conducting outreach
activities.
(c-1) At the time of placement, the Department shall
consider concurrent planning, as described in subsection
(l-1) of Section 5, so that permanency may occur at the
earliest opportunity. Consideration should be given so that
if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is
the best available placement to provide permanency for the
child.
(d) The Department may accept gifts, grants, offers of
services, and other contributions to use in making special
recruitment efforts.
(e) The Department in placing children in adoptive or
foster care homes may not, in any policy or practice relating
to the placement of children for adoption or foster care,
discriminate against any child or prospective adoptive or
foster parent on the basis of race.
(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95; 89-422; 89-428, eff.
12-13-95; 89-462, eff. 5-29-96; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96;
90HB165eng with sam01.)
Section 10. The State Mandates Act is amended, if and
only if the provisions of House Bill 165 of the 90th General
Assembly that are changed by this amendatory Act of 1997
become law, by adding Section 8.21 as follows:
(30 ILCS 805/8.21 new)
Sec. 8.21. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6
and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required
for the implementation of any mandate created by this
amendatory Act of 1997 (House Bill 66 of the 90th General
Assembly) or by House Bill 165 of the 90th General Assembly.
Section 15. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended, if
and only if the provisions of House Bill 165 of the 90th
General Assembly that are changed by this amendatory Act of
1997 become law, by changing Section 4.2 as follows:
(225 ILCS 10/4.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 2214.2)
Sec. 4.2. (a) No applicant may receive a license from
the Department and no person may be employed by a licensed
child care facility who refuses to authorize an investigation
as required by Section 4.1.
(b) No applicant may receive a license from the
Department and no person may be employed by a child care
facility licensed by the Department who has been declared a
sexually dangerous person under "An Act in relation to
sexually dangerous persons, and providing for their
commitment, detention and supervision", approved July 6,
1938, as amended, or convicted of committing or attempting to
commit any of the following offenses stipulated under the
Criminal Code of 1961:
(1) murder;
(1.1) solicitation of murder;
(1.2) solicitation of murder for hire;
(1.3) intentional homicide of an unborn child;
(1.4) voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
(1.5) involuntary manslaughter;
(1.6) reckless homicide;
(1.7) concealment of a homicidal death;
(1.8) involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
(1.9) reckless homicide of an unborn child;
(1.10) drug induced homicide;
(2) a sex offense under Article 11, except offenses
described in Sections 11-7, 11-8, 11-12, and 11-13;
(3) kidnapping;
(3.1) aggravated unlawful restraint;
(3.2) forcible detention;
(3.3) harboring a runaway;
(3.4) aiding and abetting child abduction;
(4) aggravated kidnapping;
(5) child abduction;
(6) aggravated battery of a child;
(7) criminal sexual assault;
(8) aggravated criminal sexual assault;
(8.1) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child;
(9) criminal sexual abuse;
(10) aggravated sexual abuse;
(11) heinous battery;
(12) aggravated battery with a firearm;
(13) tampering with food, drugs, or cosmetics;
(14) drug induced infliction of great bodily harm;
(15) hate crime;
(16) stalking;
(17) aggravated stalking;
(18) threatening public officials;
(19) home invasion;
(20) vehicular invasion;
(21) criminal transmission of HIV;
(22) criminal neglect of an elderly or disabled
person;
(23) child abandonment;
(24) endangering the life or health of a child;
(25) ritual mutilation;
(26) ritualized abuse of a child;
(27) an offense in any other state the elements of
which are similar and bear a substantial relationship to
any of the foregoing offenses.
(c) In addition to the provisions set forth in
subsection (b), no applicant may receive a license from the
Department to operate a foster family home, and no adult
person may reside in a foster family home licensed by the
Department, who has been convicted of committing or
attempting to commit any of the following offenses stipulated
under the Criminal Code of 1961, the Cannabis Control Act,
and the Illinois Controlled Substances Act:
(I) OFFENSES DIRECTED AGAINST THE PERSON
(A) KIDNAPPING AND RELATED OFFENSES
(1) Unlawful restraint.
(B) BODILY HARM
(2) Felony aggravated assault.
(3) Vehicular endangerment.
(4) Felony domestic battery.
(5) Aggravated battery.
(6) Heinous battery.
(7) Aggravated battery with a firearm.
(8) Aggravated battery of an unborn child.
(9) Aggravated battery of a senior citizen.
(10) Intimidation.
(11) Compelling organization membership of persons.
(12) Abuse and gross neglect of a long term care
facility resident.
(13) Felony violation of an order of protection.
(II) OFFENSES DIRECTED AGAINST PROPERTY
(14) Felony theft.
(15) Robbery.
(16) Armed robbery.
(17) Aggravated robbery.
(18) Vehicular hijacking.
(19) Aggravated vehicular hijacking.
(20) Burglary.
(21) Possession of burglary tools.
(22) Residential burglary.
(23) Criminal fortification of a residence or
building.
(24) Arson.
(25) Aggravated arson.
(26) Possession of explosive or explosive
incendiary devices.
(III) OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND DECENCY
(27) Felony unlawful use of weapons.
(28) Aggravated discharge of a firearm.
(29) Reckless discharge of a firearm.
(30) Unlawful use of metal piercing bullets.
(31) Unlawful sale or delivery of firearms on the
premises of any school.
(32) Disarming a police officer.
(33) Obstructing justice.
(34) Concealing or aiding a fugitive.
(35) Armed violence.
(36) Felony contributing to the criminal
delinquency of a juvenile.
(IV) DRUG OFFENSES
(37) Possession of more than 30 grams of cannabis.
(38) Manufacture of more than 10 grams of cannabis.
(39) Cannabis trafficking.
(40) Delivery of cannabis on school grounds.
(41) Unauthorized production of more than 5
cannabis sativa plants.
(42) Calculated criminal cannabis conspiracy.
(43) Unauthorized manufacture or delivery of
controlled substances.
(44) Controlled substance trafficking.
(45) Manufacture, distribution, or advertisement of
look-alike substances.
(46) Calculated criminal drug conspiracy.
(46.5) Streetgang criminal drug conspiracy.
(47) Permitting unlawful use of a building.
(48) Delivery of controlled, counterfeit, or
look-alike substances to persons under age 18, or at
truck stops, rest stops, or safety rest areas, or on
school property.
(49) Using, engaging, or employing persons under 18
to deliver controlled, counterfeit, or look-alike
substances.
(50) Delivery of controlled substances.
(51) Sale or delivery of drug paraphernalia.
(52) Felony possession, sale, or exchange of
instruments adapted for use of a controlled substance or
cannabis by subcutaneous injection.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), the Department may
issue a new foster family home license or may renew an
existing foster family home license of an applicant who was
convicted of an offense described in subsection (c), provided
all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The relevant criminal offense or offenses
occurred more than 10 years prior to the effective date
of application or renewal this amendatory Act of 1997.
(2) The applicant had previously disclosed the
conviction or convictions to the Department for purposes
of a background check.
(3) After the disclosure, the Department either
placed a child in the home or the foster family home
license was issued.
(4) During the background check, the Department had
assessed and waived the conviction in compliance with the
existing statutes and rules in effect at the time of the
waiver.
(5) The applicant meets all other requirements and
qualifications to be licensed as a foster family home
under this Act and the Department's administrative rules.
(6) The applicant has a history of providing a
safe, stable home environment and appears able to
continue to provide a safe, stable home environment.
(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95; 89-263, eff. 8-10-95;
89-428, eff. 12-13-95; 89-462, eff. 5-29-96; 89-498, eff.
6-27-96: 90HB165eng with sam01.)
Section 20. The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act
is amended by adding Section 4.3 as follows:
(325 ILCS 5/4.3 new)
Sec. 4.3. DCFS duty to report. The Department shall
report the disappearance of any child under its custody or
guardianship to the local law enforcement agency working in
cooperation with the I SEARCH Unit located nearest the last
known whereabouts of the child.
Section 25. The Intergovernmental Missing Child Recovery
Act of 1984 is amended by changing Section 3 as follows:
(325 ILCS 40/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 2253)
Sec. 3. Each I SEARCH unit shall be established to
promote an immediate and effective community response to
missing children and may engage in, but shall not be limited
to, the following activities:
(a) To establish and conduct programs to educate
parents, children and communities in ways to prevent the
abduction of children.
(b) To conduct training programs and distribute
materials providing guidelines for children when dealing with
strangers, casual acquaintances, or non-custodial parents, in
order to avoid abduction or kidnapping situations.
(c) To compile, maintain and make available data upon
the request of law enforcement agencies and other entities
deemed appropriate by the Department to assist enforcement
agencies in recovering missing children, including but not
limited to data regarding the places of shelter commonly used
by runaway children in the geographical area encompassed by
the I SEARCH Unit.
(d) To draft and implement plans for the most efficient
use of available resources to publicize and conduct searches
for missing children.
(e) To establish and maintain contacts with other I
SEARCH Units, law enforcement agencies, and the Department in
order to increase the probability of locating and returning
missing children, and to otherwise assist in the recovery and
tracking of missing children.
(f) To coordinate the tracking and recovery of children
under the custody or guardianship of the Department of
Children and Family Services whose disappearance has been
reported and to produce an annual report indicating the
number of children under the custody or guardianship of that
Department who have been reported missing and the number who
have been recovered.
(g) To conduct other activities as may be necessary to
achieve the goals established by this Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-1354.)
Section 30. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended,
if and only if the provisions of House Bill 165 of the 90th
General Assembly that are changed by this amendatory Act of
1997 become law, by changing Sections 1-2, 1-5, 2-15, 2-16,
2-17, 2-20, 2-21, 2-23, 2-27, 2-28, and 2-28.1 and by adding
Section 2-32 as follows:
(705 ILCS 405/1-2) (from Ch. 37, par. 801-2)
(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 89-704)
Sec. 1-2. Purpose and policy. (1) The purpose of this
Act is to secure for each minor subject hereto such care and
guidance, preferably in his or her own home, as will serve
the moral, emotional, mental, and physical welfare of the
minor and the best interests of the community; to preserve
and strengthen the minor's family ties whenever possible,
removing him or her from the custody of his or her parents
only when his or her welfare or safety or the protection of
the public cannot be adequately safeguarded without removal;
and, when the minor is removed from his or her own family, to
secure for him or her custody, care and discipline as nearly
as possible equivalent to that which should be given by his
or her parents, and in cases where it should and can properly
be done to place the minor in a family home so that he or she
may become a member of the family by legal adoption or
otherwise.
(2) In all proceedings under this Act the court may
direct the course thereof so as promptly to ascertain the
jurisdictional facts and fully to gather information bearing
upon the current condition and future welfare of persons
subject to this Act. This Act shall be administered in a
spirit of humane concern, not only for the rights of the
parties, but also for the fears and the limits of
understanding of all who appear before the court.
(3) In all procedures under this Act, the following
shall apply:
(a) The procedural rights assured to the minor shall be
the rights of adults unless specifically precluded by laws
which enhance the protection of such minors.
(b) Every child has a right to services necessary to his
or her proper development, including health, education and
social services.
(c) The parents' right to the custody of their child
shall not prevail when the court determines that it is
contrary to the best interests of the child.
(4) This Act shall be liberally construed to carry out
the foregoing purpose and policy.
(Source: P.A. 85-601; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 89-704)
Sec. 1-2. Purpose and policy.
(1) The purpose of this Act is to secure for each minor
subject hereto such care and guidance, preferably in his or
her own home, as will serve the safety and moral, emotional,
mental, and physical welfare of the minor and the best
interests of the community; to preserve and strengthen the
minor's family ties whenever possible, removing him or her
from the custody of his or her parents only when his or her
safety or welfare or the protection of the public cannot be
adequately safeguarded without removal; if the child is
removed from the custody of his or her parent, the Department
of Children and Family Services immediately shall consider
concurrent planning, as described in Section 5 of the
Children and Family Services Act so that permanency may occur
at the earliest opportunity; consideration should be given so
that if reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made
is the best available placement to provide permanency for the
child; and, when the minor is removed from his or her own
family, to secure for him or her custody, care and discipline
as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should be
given by his or her parents, and in cases where it should and
can properly be done to place the minor in a family home so
that he or she may become a member of the family by legal
adoption or otherwise. Provided that a ground for unfitness
under the Adoption Act can be met, it may be appropriate to
expedite termination of parental rights:
(a) when reasonable efforts are inappropriate, or have
been provided and were unsuccessful, and there are
aggravating circumstances including, but not limited to,
those cases in which (i) a child or a sibling of the child
was (A) abandoned, (B) tortured, or (C) chronically abused or
(ii) the parent is criminally convicted of (A) first degree
murder or second degree murder of any child, (B) attempt or
conspiracy to commit first degree murder or second degree
murder of any child, (C) solicitation to commit murder,
solicitation to commit murder for hire, or solicitation to
commit second degree murder of any child, or accountability
for the first or second degree murder of any child, or (D)
aggravated criminal sexual assault in violation of Section
12-14(b)(1) of the Criminal Code of 1961; or
(b) when the parental rights of a parent with respect to
a sibling of the child have been involuntarily terminated; or
(c) in those extreme cases in which the parent's
incapacity to care for the child, combined with an extremely
poor prognosis for treatment or rehabilitation, justifies
expedited termination of parental rights.
(2) In all proceedings under this Act the court may
direct the course thereof so as promptly to ascertain the
jurisdictional facts and fully to gather information bearing
upon the current condition and future welfare of persons
subject to this Act. This Act shall be administered in a
spirit of humane concern, not only for the rights of the
parties, but also for the fears and the limits of
understanding of all who appear before the court.
(3) In all procedures under this Act, the following
shall apply:
(a) The procedural rights assured to the minor
shall be the rights of adults unless specifically
precluded by laws which enhance the protection of such
minors.
(b) Every child has a right to services necessary
to his or her safety and proper development, including
health, education and social services.
(c) The parents' right to the custody of their
child shall not prevail when the court determines that it
is contrary to the health, safety, and best interests of
the child.
(4) This Act shall be liberally construed to carry out
the foregoing purpose and policy.
(Source: P.A. 89-704, eff. 1-1-98; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/1-5) (from Ch. 37, par. 801-5)
Sec. 1-5. Rights of parties to proceedings.
(1) Except as provided in this Section and paragraph (2)
of Sections 2-22, 3-23, 4-20 or 5-22, the minor who is the
subject of the proceeding and his parents, guardian, legal
custodian or responsible relative who are parties respondent
have the right to be present, to be heard, to present
evidence material to the proceedings, to cross-examine
witnesses, to examine pertinent court files and records and
also, although proceedings under this Act are not intended to
be adversary in character, the right to be represented by
counsel. At the request of any party financially unable to
employ counsel, with the exception of a foster parent
permitted to intervene under this Section, the court shall
appoint the Public Defender or such other counsel as the case
may require. Counsel appointed for the minor and any indigent
party shall appear at all stages of the trial court
proceeding, and such appointment shall continue through the
including permanency hearings and termination of parental
rights proceedings subject to withdrawal or substitution
pursuant to Supreme Court Rules or the Code of Civil
Procedure. Following the dispositional hearing, the court may
require appointed counsel to withdraw his or her appearance
upon failure of the party for whom counsel was appointed
under this Section to attend any subsequent proceedings.
No hearing on any petition or motion filed under this Act
may be commenced unless the minor who is the subject of the
proceeding is represented by counsel. Each adult respondent
shall be furnished a written "Notice of Rights" at or before
the first hearing at which he or she appears.
(1.5) The Department shall maintain a system of response
to inquiry made by parents or putative parents as to whether
their child is under the custody or guardianship of the
Department; and if so, the Department shall direct the
parents or putative parents to the appropriate court of
jurisdiction, including where inquiry may be made of the
clerk of the court regarding the case number and the next
scheduled court date of the minor's case. Effective notice
and the means of accessing information shall be given to the
public on a continuing basis by the Department.
(2) (a) Though not appointed guardian or legal custodian
or otherwise made a party to the proceeding, any current or
previously appointed foster parent or representative of an
agency or association interested in the minor has the right
to be heard by the court, but does not thereby become a party
to the proceeding.
In addition to the foregoing right to be heard by the
court, any current foster parent of a minor and the agency
designated by the court or the Department of Children and
Family Services as custodian of the minor who has been
adjudicated an abused or neglected minor under Section 2-3 or
a dependent minor under Section 2-4 of this Act has the right
to and shall be given adequate notice at all stages of any
hearing or proceeding under this Act wherein the custody or
status of the minor may be changed. Such notice shall
contain a statement regarding the nature and denomination of
the hearing or proceeding to be held, the change in custody
or status of the minor sought to be obtained at such hearing
or proceeding, and the date, time and place of such hearing
or proceeding. The Department of Children and Family
Services or the licensed child welfare agency that has placed
the minor with the foster parent shall notify the clerk of
the court of the name and address of the current foster
parent. The clerk shall mail the notice by certified mail
marked for delivery to addressee only. The regular return
receipt for certified mail is sufficient proof of service.
Any foster parent who is denied his or her right to be
heard under this Section may bring a mandamus action under
Article XIV of the Code of Civil Procedure against the court
or any public agency to enforce that right. The mandamus
action may be brought immediately upon the denial of those
rights but in no event later than 30 days after the foster
parent has been denied the right to be heard.
(b) If after an adjudication that a minor is abused or
neglected as provided under Section 2-21 of this Act and a
motion has been made to restore the minor to any parent,
guardian, or legal custodian found by the court to have
caused the neglect or to have inflicted the abuse on the
minor, a foster parent may file a motion to intervene in the
proceeding for the sole purpose of requesting that the minor
be placed with the foster parent, provided that the foster
parent (i) is the current foster parent of the minor or (ii)
has previously been a foster parent for the minor for one
year or more, has a foster care license or is eligible for a
license, and is not the subject of any findings of abuse or
neglect of any child. The juvenile court may only enter
orders placing a minor with a specific foster parent under
this subsection (2)(b) and nothing in this Section shall be
construed to confer any jurisdiction or authority on the
juvenile court to issue any other orders requiring the
appointed guardian or custodian of a minor to place the minor
in a designated foster home or facility. This Section is not
intended to encompass any matters that are within the scope
or determinable under the administrative and appeal process
established by rules of the Department of Children and Family
Services under Section 5(o) of the Children and Family
Services Act. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the
court of its responsibility, under Section 2-14(a) of this
Act to act in a just and speedy manner to reunify families
where it is the best interests of the minor and the child can
be cared for at home without endangering the child's health
or safety and, if reunification is not in the best interests
of the minor, to find another permanent home for the minor.
Nothing in this Section, or in any order issued by the court
with respect to the placement of a minor with a foster
parent, shall impair the ability of the Department of
Children and Family Services, or anyone else authorized under
Section 5 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, to
remove a minor from the home of a foster parent if the
Department of Children and Family Services or the person
removing the minor has reason to believe that the
circumstances or conditions of the minor are such that
continuing in the residence or care of the foster parent will
jeopardize the child's health and safety or present an
imminent risk of harm to that minor's life.
(c) If a foster parent has had the minor who is the
subject of the proceeding under Article II in his or her home
for more than one year on or after July 3, 1994 and if the
minor's placement is being terminated from that foster
parent's home, that foster parent shall have standing and
intervenor status except in those circumstances where the
Department of Children and Family Services or anyone else
authorized under Section 5 of the Abused and Neglected Child
Reporting Act has removed the minor from the foster parent
because of a reasonable belief that the circumstances or
conditions of the minor are such that continuing in the
residence or care of the foster parent will jeopardize the
child's health or safety or presents an imminent risk of harm
to the minor's life.
(d) The court may grant standing to any foster parent if
the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child
for the foster parent to have standing and intervenor status.
(3) Parties respondent are entitled to notice in
compliance with Sections 2-15 and 2-16, 3-17 and 3-18, 4-14
and 4-15 or 5-15 and 5-16, as appropriate. At the first
appearance before the court by the minor, his parents,
guardian, custodian or responsible relative, the court shall
explain the nature of the proceedings and inform the parties
of their rights under the first 2 paragraphs of this Section.
If the child is alleged to be abused, neglected or
dependent, the court shall admonish the parents that if the
court declares the child to be a ward of the court and awards
custody or guardianship to the Department of Children and
Family Services, the parents must cooperate with the
Department of Children and Family Services, comply with the
terms of the service plans, and correct the conditions that
require the child to be in care, or risk termination of their
parental rights.
Upon an adjudication of wardship of the court under
Sections 2-22, 3-23, 4-20 or 5-22, the court shall inform the
parties of their right to appeal therefrom as well as from
any other final judgment of the court.
When the court finds that a child is an abused,
neglected, or dependent minor under Section 2-21, the court
shall admonish the parents that the parents must cooperate
with the Department of Children and Family Services, comply
with the terms of the service plans, and correct the
conditions that require the child to be in care, or risk
termination of their parental rights.
When the court declares a child to be a ward of the court
and awards guardianship to the Department of Children and
Family Services under Section 2-22, the court shall admonish
the parents, guardian, custodian, or responsible relative
that the parents must cooperate with the Department of
Children and Family Services, comply with the terms of the
service plans, and correct the conditions that require the
child to be in care, or risk termination of their parental
rights.
(4) No sanction may be applied against the minor who is
the subject of the proceedings by reason of his refusal or
failure to testify in the course of any hearing held prior to
final adjudication under Section 2-22, 3-23, 4-20 or 5-22.
(5) In the discretion of the court, the minor may be
excluded from any part or parts of a dispositional hearing
and, with the consent of the parent or parents, guardian,
counsel or a guardian ad litem, from any part or parts of an
adjudicatory hearing.
(6) The general public except for the news media and the
victim shall be excluded from any hearing and, except for the
persons specified in this Section only persons, including
representatives of agencies and associations, who in the
opinion of the court have a direct interest in the case or in
the work of the court shall be admitted to the hearing.
However, the court may, for the minor's safety and protection
and for good cause shown, prohibit any person or agency
present in court from further disclosing the minor's
identity.
(Source: P.A. 87-759; 88-7; 88-549, eff. 7-3-94; 88-550, eff.
7-3-94; 88-691, eff. 1-24-95; 89-235, eff. 8-4-95; 90HB165eng
with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/2-15) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-15)
Sec. 2-15. Summons. (1) When a petition is filed, the
clerk of the court shall issue a summons with a copy of the
petition attached. The summons shall be directed to the
minor's legal guardian or custodian and to each person named
as a respondent in the petition, except that summons need not
be directed to a minor respondent under 8 years of age for
whom the court appoints a guardian ad litem if the guardian
ad litem appears on behalf of the minor in any proceeding
under this Act.
(2) The summons must contain a statement that the minor
or any of the respondents is entitled to have an attorney
present at the hearing on the petition, and that the clerk of
the court should be notified promptly if the minor or any
other respondent desires to be represented by an attorney but
is financially unable to employ counsel.
(3) The summons shall be issued under the seal of the
court, attested in and signed with the name of the clerk of
the court, dated on the day it is issued, and shall require
each respondent to appear and answer the petition on the date
set for the adjudicatory hearing. The summons shall contain a
notice that the parties will not be entitled to further
written notices or publication notices of proceedings in this
case, including the filing of an amended petition or a motion
to terminate parental rights, except as required by Supreme
Court Rule 11.
(4) The summons may be served by any county sheriff,
coroner or probation officer, even though the officer is the
petitioner. The return of the summons with endorsement of
service by the officer is sufficient proof thereof.
(5) Service of a summons and petition shall be made by:
(a) leaving a copy thereof with the person summoned at least
3 days before the time stated therein for appearance; (b)
leaving a copy at his usual place of abode with some person
of the family, of the age of 10 years or upwards, and
informing that person of the contents thereof, provided the
officer or other person making service shall also send a copy
of the summons in a sealed envelope with postage fully
prepaid, addressed to the person summoned at his usual place
of abode, at least 3 days before the time stated therein for
appearance; or (c) leaving a copy thereof with the guardian
or custodian of a minor, at least 3 days before the time
stated therein for appearance. If the guardian or custodian
is an agency of the State of Illinois, proper service may be
made by leaving a copy of the summons and petition with any
administrative employee of such agency designated by such
agency to accept service of summons and petitions. The
certificate of the officer or affidavit of the person that he
has sent the copy pursuant to this Section is sufficient
proof of service.
(6) When a parent or other person, who has signed a
written promise to appear and bring the minor to court or who
has waived or acknowledged service, fails to appear with the
minor on the date set by the court, a bench warrant may be
issued for the parent or other person, the minor, or both.
(7) The appearance of the minor's legal guardian or
custodian, or a person named as a respondent in a petition,
in any proceeding under this Act shall constitute a waiver of
service of summons and submission to the jurisdiction of the
court, except that the filing of a special appearance
authorized under Section 2-301 of the Code of Civil Procedure
does not constitute an appearance under this subsection. A
copy of the summons and petition shall be provided to the
person at the time of his appearance.
(Source: P.A. 86-441; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/2-16) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-16)
Sec. 2-16. Notice by certified mail or publication.
(1) If service on individuals as provided in Section
2-15 is not made on any respondent within a reasonable time
or if it appears that any respondent resides outside the
State, service may be made by certified mail. In such case
the clerk shall mail the summons and a copy of the petition
to that respondent by certified mail marked for delivery to
addressee only. The court shall not proceed with the
adjudicatory hearing until 5 days after such mailing. The
regular return receipt for certified mail is sufficient proof
of service.
(2) Where a respondent's usual place of abode is not
known, a diligent inquiry shall be made to ascertain the
respondent's current and last known address. The Department
of Children and Family Services shall adopt rules defining
the requirements for conducting a diligent search to locate
parents of minors in the custody of the Department. If, after
diligent inquiry made at any time within the preceding 12
months, the usual place of abode cannot be reasonably
ascertained, or if respondent is concealing his or her
whereabouts to avoid service of process, petitioner's
attorney shall file an affidavit at the office of the clerk
of court in which the action is pending showing that
respondent on due inquiry cannot be found or is concealing
his or her whereabouts so that process cannot be served. The
affidavit shall state the last known address of the
respondent. The affidavit shall also state what efforts were
made to effectuate service. Within 3 days of receipt of the
affidavit, the clerk shall issue publication service as
provided below. The clerk shall also send a copy thereof by
mail addressed to each respondent listed in the affidavit at
his or her last known address. The clerk of the court as soon
as possible shall cause publication to be made once in a
newspaper of general circulation in the county where the
action is pending. Notice by publication is not required in
any case when the person alleged to have legal custody of the
minor has been served with summons personally or by certified
mail, but the court may not enter any order or judgment
against any person who cannot be served with process other
than by publication unless notice by publication is given or
unless that person appears. When a minor has been sheltered
under Section 2-10 of this Act and summons has not been
served personally or by certified mail within 20 days from
the date of the order of court directing such shelter care,
the clerk of the court shall cause publication. Notice by
publication shall be substantially as follows:
"A, B, C, D, (here giving the names of the named
respondents, if any) and to All Whom It May Concern (if there
is any respondent under that designation):
Take notice that on the .... day of ...., 19.. a
petition was filed under the Juvenile Court Act by .... in
the circuit court of .... county entitled 'In the interest of
...., a minor', and that in .... courtroom at .... on the
.... day of .... at the hour of ...., or as soon thereafter
as this cause may be heard, an adjudicatory hearing will be
held upon the petition to have the child declared to be a
ward of the court under that Act. THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY IN
THIS PROCEEDING TO TAKE FROM YOU THE CUSTODY AND GUARDIANSHIP
OF THE MINOR, TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND TO
APPOINT A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION. YOU
MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF THE PETITION
REQUESTS THE TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND THE
APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN WITH POWER TO CONSENT TO ADOPTION,
YOU MAY LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. The court has
authority in this proceeding to take from you the custody and
guardianship of the minor. If the petition requests the
termination of your parental rights and the appointment of a
guardian with power to consent to adoption, you may lose all
parental rights to the child. Unless you appear you will not
be entitled to further written notices or publication notices
of the proceedings in this case, including the filing of an
amended petition or a motion to terminate parental rights.
Now, unless you appear at the hearing and show cause
against the petition, the allegations of the petition may
stand admitted as against you and each of you, and an order
or judgment entered.
......................
Clerk
Dated (the date of publication)"
(3) The clerk shall also at the time of the publication
of the notice send a copy thereof by mail to each of the
respondents on account of whom publication is made at his or
her last known address. The certificate of the clerk that he
or she has mailed the notice is evidence thereof. No other
publication notice is required. Every respondent notified by
publication under this Section must appear and answer in open
court at the hearing. The court may not proceed with the
adjudicatory hearing until 10 days after service by
publication on any parent, guardian or legal custodian in the
case of a minor described in Section 2-3 or 2-4.
(4) If it becomes necessary to change the date set for
the hearing in order to comply with Section 2-14 or with this
Section, notice of the resetting of the date must be given,
by certified mail or other reasonable means, to each
respondent who has been served with summons personally or by
certified mail.
(Source: P.A. 88-614, eff. 9-7-94; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/2-17) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-17)
Sec. 2-17. Guardian ad litem.
(1) Immediately upon the filing of a petition alleging
that the minor is a person described in Sections 2-3 or 2-4
of this Article, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem
for the minor if:
(a) such petition alleges that the minor is an
abused or neglected child; or
(b) such petition alleges that charges alleging the
commission of any of the sex offenses defined in Article
11 or in Sections 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, 12-15 or 12-16
of the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, have been filed
against a defendant in any court and that such minor is
the alleged victim of the acts of defendant in the
commission of such offense.
Unless the guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this
paragraph (1) is an attorney at law he shall be represented
in the performance of his duties by counsel. The guardian ad
litem shall represent the best interests of the minor and
shall present recommendations to the court consistent with
that duty.
(2) Before proceeding with the hearing, the court shall
appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor if
(a) no parent, guardian, custodian or relative of
the minor appears at the first or any subsequent hearing
of the case;
(b) the petition prays for the appointment of a
guardian with power to consent to adoption; or
(c) the petition for which the minor is before the
court resulted from a report made pursuant to the Abused
and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
(3) The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the
minor whenever it finds that there may be a conflict of
interest between the minor and his parents or other custodian
or that it is otherwise in the minor's best interest to do
so.
(4) Unless the guardian ad litem is an attorney, he
shall be represented by counsel.
(5) The reasonable fees of a guardian ad litem appointed
under this Section shall be fixed by the court and charged to
the parents of the minor, to the extent they are able to pay.
If the parents are unable to pay those fees, they shall be
paid from the general fund of the county.
Whenever the petition alleges that the minor is neglected
or abused because of physical abuse inflicted by the parent
or guardian the guardian ad litem must have at least one face
to face interview with the minor before the beginning of the
adjudicatory hearing.
(6) A guardian ad litem appointed under this Section,
shall receive copies of any and all classified reports of
child abuse and neglect made under the Abused and Neglected
Child Reporting Act in which the minor who is the subject of
a report under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act,
is also the minor for whom the guardian ad litem is appointed
under this Section.
(7) In counties with a population less than 3,000,000,
The appointed guardian ad litem shall remain the child's
guardian ad litem throughout the entire juvenile trial court
proceedings, including permanency hearings and termination of
parental rights proceedings, unless there is a substitution
entered by order of the court.
(8) In counties with a population of less than
3,000,000, The guardian ad litem or an agent of the guardian
ad litem shall have a minimum of one 2 in-person contact
contacts with the minor and one contact with one of the
current foster parents or caregivers caregiver prior to the
adjudicatory hearing, and at least one additional in-person
contact with the child and one contact with one of the
current foster parents or caregivers after the adjudicatory
hearing but caregiver prior to the first each permanency
hearing and one additional in-person contact with the child
and one contact with one of the current foster parents or
caregivers each subsequent year. For good cause shown, the
judge may excuse face-to-face interviews required in this
subsection.
(9) In counties with a population of 100,000 or more but
less than 3,000,000, each guardian ad litem must successfully
complete a training program approved by the Department of
Children and Family Services. The Department of Children and
Family Services shall provide training materials and
documents to guardians ad litem who are not mandated to
attend the training program. The Department of Children and
Family Services shall develop and distribute to all guardians
ad litem a bibliography containing information including but
not limited to the juvenile court process, termination of
parental rights, child development, medical aspects of child
abuse, and the child's need for safety and permanence.
(Source: P.A. 88-7; 89-428, eff. 12-13-95; 89-462, eff.
5-29-96; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/2-20) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-20)
Sec. 2-20. Continuance under supervision.
(1) The court may enter an order of continuance under
supervision (a) upon an admission or stipulation by the
appropriate respondent or minor respondent of the facts
supporting the petition and before proceeding to findings and
adjudication, or after hearing the evidence at the
adjudicatory hearing but before noting in the minutes of
proceeding a finding of whether or not the minor is abused,
neglected or dependent; and (b) in the absence of objection
made in open court by the minor, his parent, guardian,
custodian, responsible relative, defense attorney or the
State's Attorney.
(2) If the minor, his parent, guardian, custodian,
responsible relative, defense attorney or the State's
Attorney, objects in open court to any such continuance and
insists upon proceeding to findings and adjudication, the
court shall so proceed.
(3) Nothing in this Section limits the power of the
court to order a continuance of the hearing for the
production of additional evidence or for any other proper
reason.
(4) When a hearing where a minor is alleged to be
abused, neglected or dependent is continued pursuant to this
Section, the court may permit the minor to remain in his home
if the court determines and makes written factual findings
that the minor can be cared for at home when consistent with
the minor's without endangering his or her health, or safety,
and that it is in the minor's best interests to do so,
subject to such conditions concerning his conduct and
supervision as the court may require by order.
(5) If a petition is filed charging a violation of a
condition of the continuance under supervision, the court
shall conduct a hearing. If the court finds that such
condition of supervision has not been fulfilled the court may
proceed to findings and adjudication and disposition. The
filing of a petition for violation of a condition of the
continuance under supervision shall toll the period of
continuance under supervision until the final determination
of the charge, and the term of the continuance under
supervision shall not run until the hearing and disposition
of the petition for violation; provided where the petition
alleges conduct that does not constitute a criminal offense,
the hearing must be held within 15 days of the filing of the
petition unless a delay in such hearing has been occasioned
by the minor, in which case the delay shall continue the
tolling of the period of continuance under supervision for
the period of such delay.
(Source: P.A. 88-7; 90HB165eng with sam01.)
(705 ILCS 405/2-21) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-21)
(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 89-704)
Sec. 2-21. Findings and adjudication.
(1) After hearing the evidence the court shall determine
whether or not the minor is abused, neglected, or dependent.
If it finds that the minor is not such a person, the court
shall order the petition dismissed and the minor discharged.
The court's determination of whether the minor is abused,
neglected, or dependent shall be stated in writing with the
factual basis supporting that determination.
If the court finds that the minor is abused, neglected,
or dependent, the court shall then determine and put in
writing the factual basis supporting the determination of
whether the abuse, neglect, or dependency is the result of
physical abuse to the minor inflicted by a parent, guardian,
or legal custodian. That finding shall appear in the order
of the court.
(2) If the court determines and puts in writing the
factual basis supporting the determination that the minor is
either abused or neglected or dependent, the court shall then
set a time not later than 30 days after the entry of the
finding for a dispositional hearing to be conducted under
Section 2-22 at which hearing the court shall determine
whether it is in the best interests of the minor and the
public that he be made a ward of the court. To assist the
court in making this and other determinations at the
dispositional hearing, the court may order that an
investigation be conducted and a dispositional report be
prepared concerning the minor's physical and mental history
and condition, family situation and background, economic
status, education, occupation, history of delinquency or
criminality, personal habits, and any other information that
may be helpful to the court. The dispositional hearing may
be continued once for a period not to exceed 30 days if the
court finds that such continuance is necessary to complete
the dispositional report.
(3) The time limits of this Section may be waived only
by consent of all parties and approval by the court, as
determined to be in the best interests of the minor.
(4) For all cases adjudicated prior to July 1, 1991