LEGAL EDUC.-GUARDIANS AD LITEM

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0648

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SR0648 - 104th General Assembly

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SR0648
LRB104 21063 ECR 35100 r
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, Guardians ad Litem (GALs) serve a vital role in
3
Illinois courts by representing the best interests of children
4
in family law and juvenile proceedings, frequently making
5
recommendations that significantly affect a child's health,
6
safety, welfare, stability, and long-term future; and

7

WHEREAS, A well-trained GAL serves as the impartial eyes
8
and ears of the court by conducting thorough and independent
9
investigations, interviewing children and relevant parties,
10
reviewing pertinent records, and providing objective
11
recommendations free from parental bias or conflict, thereby
12
assisting the court in prioritizing the needs of the child
13
over the competing interests of adults involved in disputes
14
concerning allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting
15
time, abuse, neglect, and other matters affecting child
16
welfare; and

17

WHEREAS, Matters involving children's medical needs,
18
including chronic medical conditions and treatment compliance,
19
require careful evaluation and a clear understanding of the
20
distinction between legitimate medical advocacy and parental
21
conflict that may be framed as a medical concern; and

22

WHEREAS, Appropriate training is essential to ensure that

SR0648
- 2 -
LRB104 21063 ECR 35100 r
1
GALs are equipped to consult appropriately with treating
2
medical professionals, understand treatment adherence and
3
associated risks, recognize the ethical boundaries governing
4
the expression of medical opinions, and avoid incomplete or
5
biased assessments that may adversely affect a child; and

6

WHEREAS, Consistent, high-quality training for GALs
7
promotes more informed recommendations, strengthens judicial
8
decision-making, and enhances outcomes for children and
9
families throughout Illinois; and

10

WHEREAS, The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts,
11
through the Illinois Judicial College, is the primary entity
12
responsible for providing continuing legal education and
13
professional development for judges, court personnel, and
14
attorneys practicing before Illinois courts, including GALs;
15
therefore, be it

16

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL
17
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the
18
Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, acting through
19
the Illinois Judicial College, to develop, approve, and offer
20
a continuing legal education program for GALs serving in
21
family law and juvenile matters that includes, at a minimum:
22

(1) Instruction regarding chronic medical conditions
23

affecting children;

SR0648
- 3 -
LRB104 21063 ECR 35100 r
1

(2) Training addressing the distinction between
2

medical advocacy and parental conflict;
3

(3) Guidance on appropriate consultation with treating
4

medical professionals;
5

(4) Education concerning treatment adherence and risk
6

assessment; and
7

(5) Instruction regarding the ethical limits of a
8

GAL's medical opinions; and be it further

9

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Administrative Office of
10
the Illinois Courts to promote participation in such training
11
to GALs statewide and to communicate this recommendation to
12
the Chief Judge of each judicial circuit for consideration in
13
appointment and continued service determinations; and be it
14
further

15

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
16
delivered to the Director of the Administrative Office of the
17
Illinois Courts and the Director of the Illinois Judicial
18
College.

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