Respondent appealed from a circuit court order terminating her parental rights on the grounds that she had failed to demonstrate a reasonable degree of interest, concern, or responsibility for the children and failed to make reasonable progress toward the children’s return to her care within several nine-month periods. On appeal, respondent argued that the trial court violated her statutory right to counsel and denied her due process when it granted her attorney’s motion to withdraw and compelled her to proceed to trial without counsel. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the trial court did not err where the attorney was respondent’s fifth attorney and where she had been informed that additional counsel would not be appointed. (MARTIN and ROCHFORD, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Termination of Parental Rights