Editor’s Note

Prior to the Mental Health Section Council’s October 28 meeting, vice-chair Mark Heyrman posted a proposal for a Cook County pilot program on the community chat and asked for comment.

According to the post, “The County Division (which handles commitment and involuntary treatment matters) and the Probate Division (which handles guardianships for disabled adults) are working on a pilot project to coordinate when an individual has a matter in both divisions.  

“To some extent this is a uniquely Cook County problem. Given the volume of litigation and the number of judges, the Circuit Court is divided into many divisions. But creating coordination between guardianship proceedings and mental health matters makes some sense everywhere,” according to Heyrman. 

While several Section Council members spoke in favor of the proposal at the meeting, we were unable to vote on the proposal because a quorum wasn’t present. Heyrman requested comments, criticisms, or suggestions to relay to the judges proposing the pilot project.

The proposal is printed in this issue, together with a detailed commentary that was submitted in response to the request.

The Mental Health Law Section is comprised of attorneys who represent individuals with mental illness, guardians, the State, and mental health service providers, to name a few. As noted, comments, criticisms, and suggestions from all were sought in an effort to include positions from all stakeholders.