Court found Respondent mother unfit and found that termination of her parental rights was in the best interests of her minor children. State's evidence from a limited 9-month period (which time included the first 8 months of the COVID-19 pandemic) was not so compelling as to permit the conclusion, by clear and convincing evidence, that totality of mother's conduct across 42 months showed an unreasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility in the welfare of her children. Court's finding to that effect was contrary to manifest weight of evidence. State did not prove by clear and convincing evidence that mother's efforts to correct the conditions that led to her separation from the children were unreasonable. State failed to prove mother unfit on any grounds under the Adoption Act. (O'BRIEN, concurring; SCHMIDT, dissenting.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Termination of Parental Rights