Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Termination of Parental Rights
The COVID-19 pandemic justified the use of video conferencing for hearing at which Respondent father's parental rights were terminated. Minor has chronic respiratory ailments, and proceeding in court would increase risk of exposing her to COVID-19 because her foster parents would have to appear in court and then return home. The marginal benefit from an in-person proceeding, where credibility of witnesses is not disputed, does not justify increased risk to minor's health. Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Respondent father's motion for a continuance, as father did not show any prejudice from expeditious resolution of the case. (HYMAN and COGHLAN, concurring.)