Child Rights From a Pediatric Perspective and in Practice in GermanyBy Elizabeth ClarkeChild Law, January 2024Unlike other nations that have successfully incorporated international children's rights standards into their legal framework, the U.S. juvenile justice system has failed to do so.
New Law Supports Recovery for Youth Trafficking SurvivorsBy Tayler MatthewsChild Law, January 2024A new law, Public Act 103-0191, follows federal sentencing reform efforts to amend the unfair sentencing practices that impact criminalized youth trafficking survivors.
Troubling Conditions in Juvenile Detention CentersBy Elizabeth ClarkeChild Law, January 2024In December 2023, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice published reports from its annual juvenile detention center inspections, finding that only three of the centers were found in compliance with minimum standards.
Adult Adoptions: In Re Konieczny and the Importance of Proper PleadingsBy Tiffany HorsteinChild Law, May 2023A summary and analysis of In Re Adoption of Ariana B. Konieczny, an Adult, which sheds light on the importance of proper pleadings to accomplish our client’s goal and some of the possible implications of adult adoptions.
Save the Date: Saturday November 18, 2023 – National Adoption DayBy Hon. Martin J. MengarelliChild Law, May 2023The goal of National Adoption Day, which is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is to bring attention to the children in foster care waiting to be adopted.
Child Abuse: It Affects Us AllBy Peggy McGuireChild Law, April 2023Although child abuse is a topic that most people do not want to think about or discuss, it has long standing implications for society.
GAL’s Perspective on Proposed Amendments to 750 ILCS 5/506 Representation of a ChildBy Sean P. SullivanChild Law, April 2023Several Illinois legislators have proposed legislation to amend or alter the language of 750 ILCS 506 of the Ilinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which governs how children are represented in the court system.
Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special AdvocatesBy Mari ChristophersonChild Law, April 2023The cornerstone of the CASA mission is providing best-interest advocacy for children before the court due to allegations of abuse and/or neglect.
Illinois Expands Youthful ParoleBy Hallie M. BeznerChild Law, April 2023In February, Gov. Pritzker officially signed HB 1064 into law, effectively abolishing juvenile life without parole as we know it in Illinois.
Illinois House Resolution Urges In-Person Hearings for Juveniles Where Liberty Is at StakeBy Scott F. MainChild Law, December 2022In March of 2022, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Resolution 616, urging the Illinois Supreme Court to require Illinois courts to responsibly transition juvenile delinquency proceedings back to in-person hearings, especially where liberty interests are at stake.
Juvenile Redeploy IL 2015-2021By John J. RekowskiChild Law, December 2022A new report documents the success of Juvenile Redeploy IL in expanding community-based alternatives for youth at risk of commitment to juvenile prison.
Amendments to 750 ILCS 5/607.6By Erin Wilson & Paige ZilinskasChild Law, May 2022On August 13, 2021, section 607.6 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which addresses court-ordered therapy, was amended by House Bill 2741.
Is Grandparent Visitation a Viable Cause of Action Under the IMDMA?By Sean P. SullivanChild Law, May 2022Many potential clients insist that they have a right to see their grandchildren because they are a grandparent. Illinois law does not provide that simply by virtue of being a grandparent someone has a right to demand visitation with a grandchild. However, grandparents may fall into the class of “non-parents” who may have standing to seek visitation with a minor child.
The Trend Away From the ‘Every Other Weekend’ ParentBy Amy SilbersteinChild Law, May 2022In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on a divorced parent with less parenting time having a more expanded parenting role and time schedule.
Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: A New Pilot ProgramBy Vickie SmithChild Law, April 2022For the past five years, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been an active partner in a pilot project called the Domestic Violence Co-Location Project.
Child Welfare From a Judge’s PerspectiveBy Emily MaurerChild Law, April 2022An interview with Judge Christy Solverson, presiding circuit judge for the Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro.
Help Support Our CaseworkersBy Judge Martin MengarelliChild Law, April 2022The most overlooked and underappreciated asset of a juvenile abuse case is the caseworker.
Illinois CASA Updates During CovidBy Mari ChristophersonChild Law, April 2022The Illinois CASA network provides best interest volunteer advocacy to over 9,000 children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect through its network of 31 local offices working in 54 counties.
Case Law Update: Child Law Proceedings in the PandemicBy Susan M. Brazas GoldbergChild Law, January 2022Over the past year, several court decisions have addressed claims of denial of due process resulting from court hearing being conducted via Zoom rather than in person.
