Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

Filed: 3/9/2012

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 4985

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 4985 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Guardianship and Advocacy Act is amended by
5changing Section 31 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 3955/31)  (from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 731)
7    Sec. 31. Appointment; availability of State Guardian;
8available private guardian. The State Guardian shall not be
9appointed if another suitable person is available and willing
10to accept the guardianship appointment. In all cases where a
11court appoints the State Guardian, the court shall indicate in
12the order appointing the guardian as a finding of fact that no
13other suitable and willing person could be found to accept the
14guardianship appointment. On and after the effective date of
15this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the court
16shall also indicate in the order, as a finding of fact, the

 

 

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1reasons that the State Guardian appointment, rather than the
2appointment of another interested party, is required. This
3requirement shall be waived where the Office of State Guardian
4petitions for its own appointment as guardian.
5(Source: P.A. 89-396, eff. 8-20-95.)
 
6    Section 10. The Clerks of Courts Act is amended by adding
7Section 27.3f as follows:
 
8    (705 ILCS 105/27.3f new)
9    Sec. 27.3f. Guardianship and advocacy operations fee.
10    (a) As used in this Section, "guardianship and advocacy"
11means the guardianship and advocacy services provided by the
12Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and defined in the
13Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Viable public guardianship and
14advocacy programs, including the public guardianship programs
15created and supervised in probate proceedings in the Illinois
16courts, are essential to the administration of justice and
17ensure that incapacitated persons and their estates are
18protected. To defray the expense of maintaining and operating
19the divisions and programs of the Guardianship and Advocacy
20Commission and to support viable guardianship and advocacy
21programs throughout Illinois, each circuit court clerk shall
22charge and collect a fee on all matters filed in probate cases
23in accordance with this Section, but no fees shall be assessed
24against the State Guardian, any State agency under the

 

 

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1jurisdiction of the Governor, any public guardian, or any
2State's Attorney.
3    (b) No fees specified in this Section shall be imposed in
4any minor guardianship established under Article XI of the
5Probate Act of 1975, or against an indigent person. An indigent
6person shall include any person who meets one or more of the
7following criteria:
8        (1) He or she is receiving assistance under one or more
9    of the following public benefits programs: Supplemental
10    Security Income (SSI), Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
11    (AABD), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
12    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly
13    Food Stamps), General Assistance, State Transitional
14    Assistance, or State Children and Family Assistance.
15        (2) His or her available income is 125% or less of the
16    current poverty level as established by the United States
17    Department of Health and Human Services, unless the
18    applicant's assets that are not exempt under Part 9 or 10
19    of Article XII of the Code of Civil Procedure are of a
20    nature and value that the court determines that the
21    applicant is able to pay the fees, costs, and charges.
22        (3) He or she is, in the discretion of the court,
23    unable to proceed in an action without payment of fees,
24    costs, and charges and whose payment of those fees, costs,
25    and charges would result in substantial hardship to the
26    person or his or her family.

 

 

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1        (4) He or she is an indigent person pursuant to Section
2    5-105.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, providing that an
3    "indigent person" means a person whose income is 125% or
4    less of the current official federal poverty guidelines or
5    who is otherwise eligible to receive civil legal services
6    under the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974.
7    (c) The clerk is entitled to receive the fees specified in
8this Section, which shall be paid in advance, and managed by
9the clerk as set out in paragraph (4), except that, for good
10cause shown, the court may suspend, reduce, or release the
11costs payable under this Section:
12        (1) For administration of the estate of a decedent
13    (whether testate or intestate) or of a missing person, a
14    fee of $50, plus the fees specified in paragraph (3),
15    except:
16            (A) When the value of the real and personal
17        property of a decedent (whether testate or intestate)
18        does not exceed $15,000, no fee shall be assessed.
19            (B) When (i) proof of heirship alone is made, (ii)
20        a domestic or foreign will is admitted to probate
21        without administration (including proof of heirship),
22        or (iii) letters of office are issued for a particular
23        purpose without administration of the estate, the fee
24        shall be $40.
25        (2) For administration of the estate of a ward that
26    results in the appointment of the Office of State Guardian,

 

 

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1    the fee shall be $250, plus the fees specified in paragraph
2    (3).
3        (3) In addition to the fees payable under paragraph (1)
4    or (2) of this subsection (c), the following fees are
5    payable:
6            (A) For each account (other than one final account)
7        filed in the estate of a decedent, or ward, the fee
8        shall be $25.
9            (B) For filing a claim in an estate when the amount
10        claimed is $150 or more but less than $500, the fee
11        shall be $100; when the amount claimed is $500 or more
12        but less than $10,000, the fee shall be $115; when the
13        amount claimed is $10,000 or more, the fee shall be
14        $135; provided that the court in allowing a claim may
15        add to the amount allowed the filing fee paid by the
16        claimant.
17            (C) For filing in an estate a claim, petition, or
18        supplemental proceeding based upon an action seeking
19        equitable relief including the construction or contest
20        of a will, enforcement of a contract to make a will,
21        and proceedings involving a testamentary trust or the
22        appointment of a testamentary trustee, the fee shall be
23        $60.
24            (D) For filing in an estate (i) the appearance of
25        any person for the purpose of consent or (ii) the
26        appearance of an executor, administrator,

 

 

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1        administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem,
2        or special administrator, no fee.
3            (E) Except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this
4        paragraph (3), for filing the appearance of any person
5        or persons, the fee shall be $30.
6            (F) For each jury demand, the fee shall be $180.
7            (G) For disposition of the collection of a judgment
8        or settlement of an action or claim for wrongful death
9        of a decedent or of any cause of action of a ward, when
10        there is no other administration of the estate, the fee
11        shall be $50, less any amount paid under subparagraph
12        (B) of paragraph (1) or subparagraph (B) of this
13        paragraph (3), except that if the amount involved does
14        not exceed $5,000, the fee, including any amount paid
15        under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) or
16        subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (3), shall be $20.
17        (4) The guardianship and advocacy operations fees, as
18    outlined in this Section, shall be in addition to all other
19    fees and charges and assessable as costs and shall not be
20    subject to disbursement under Section 27.5 or 27.6 of this
21    Act. Twenty percent of the fee shall be retained by the
22    clerk to defray costs of collection and 80% of the fee
23    shall be disbursed within 60 days after receipt by the
24    circuit clerk to the State Treasurer for deposit by the
25    State Treasurer into the Guardianship and Advocacy Fund.
 

 

 

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1    Section 15. The Probate Act of 1975 is amended by changing
2Sections 11a-3, 11a-12, 11a-20, and 13-1 and by adding Section
313-1.3 as follows:
 
4    (755 ILCS 5/11a-3)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-3)
5    Sec. 11a-3. Adjudication of disability; Power to appoint
6guardian.
7    (a) Upon the filing of a petition by a reputable person or
8by the alleged disabled person himself or on its own motion,
9the court may adjudge a person to be a disabled person, but
10only if it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing
11evidence that the person is a disabled person as defined in
12Section 11a-2. If the court adjudges a person to be a disabled
13person, the court may appoint (1) a guardian of his person, if
14it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that
15because of his disability he lacks sufficient understanding or
16capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions
17concerning the care of his person, or (2) a guardian of his
18estate, if it has been demonstrated by clear and convincing
19evidence that because of his disability he is unable to manage
20his estate or financial affairs, or (3) a guardian of his
21person and of his estate.
22    (b) Guardianship shall be utilized only as is necessary to
23promote the well-being of the disabled person, to protect him
24from neglect, exploitation, or abuse, and to encourage
25development of his maximum self-reliance and independence.

 

 

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1Guardianship shall be implemented in the least restrictive
2alternative, shall maximize the alleged disabled person's
3right to self-determination and autonomy, and Guardianship
4shall be ordered only to the extent necessitated by the
5individual's actual mental, physical and adaptive limitations.
6In determining the least restrictive alternative, the court
7shall consider options that allow the ward to live, learn, and
8work in a setting that places as few limits as possible on the
9ward's rights and personal freedom as appropriate to meet the
10needs of the ward.
11(Source: P.A. 93-435, eff. 1-1-04.)
 
12    (755 ILCS 5/11a-12)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-12)
13    Sec. 11a-12. Order of appointment.)
14    (a) If basis for the appointment of a guardian as specified
15in Section 11a-3 is not found, the court shall dismiss the
16petition.
17    (b) If the respondent is adjudged to be disabled and to
18lack some but not all of the be totally without capacity as
19specified in Section 11a-3, and if the court finds that limited
20guardianship is necessary for the protection of will not
21provide sufficient protection for the disabled person, his or
22her estate, or both, the court shall appoint a limited plenary
23guardian for the respondent's person or estate or both. The
24court shall enter a written order stating the factual basis for
25its findings and specifying the duties and powers of the

 

 

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1guardian and the legal disabilities to which the respondent is
2subject.
3    (c) If the respondent is adjudged to be disabled and to be
4totally without lack some but not all of the capacity as
5specified in Section 11a-3, and if the court finds that limited
6guardianship will not provide sufficient is necessary for the
7protection for of the disabled person, his or her estate, or
8both, the court shall appoint a plenary guardian for limited
9guardian of the respondent's person or estate or both. The
10court shall enter a written order stating the factual basis for
11its findings and specifying the duties and powers of the
12guardian and the legal disabilities to which the respondent is
13subject.
14    (d) The selection of the guardian shall be in the
15discretion of the court, which shall give due consideration to
16the preference of the disabled person as to a guardian, as well
17as the qualifications of the proposed guardian, in making its
18appointment.
19(Source: P.A. 89-396, eff. 8-20-95.)
 
20    (755 ILCS 5/11a-20)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-20)
21    Sec. 11a-20. Termination of adjudication of disability -
22Revocation of letters - modification.) (a) Except as provided
23in subsection (b-5), upon Upon the filing of a petition by or
24on behalf of a disabled person or on its own motion, the court
25may terminate the adjudication of disability of the ward,

 

 

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1revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or person, or
2both, or modify the duties of the guardian if the ward's
3capacity to perform the tasks necessary for the care of his
4person or the management of his estate has been demonstrated by
5clear and convincing evidence. A report or testimony by a
6licensed physician is not a prerequisite for termination,
7revocation or modification of a guardianship order under this
8subsection (a).
9    (b) Except as provided in subsection (b-5), a A request by
10the ward or any other person on the ward's behalf, under this
11Section may be communicated to the court or judge by any means,
12including but not limited to informal letter, telephone call or
13visit. Upon receipt of a request from the ward or another
14person, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to
15investigate and report to the court concerning the allegations
16made in conjunction with said request, and if the ward wishes
17to terminate, revoke, or modify the guardianship order, to
18prepare the ward's petition and to render such other services
19as the court directs.
20    (b-5) Upon the filing of a verified petition by the
21guardian of the disabled person or the disabled person, the
22court may terminate the adjudication of disability of the ward,
23revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or person, or
24both, or modify the duties of the guardian if: (i) a report
25completed in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 11a-9
26states that the disabled person is no longer in need of

 

 

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1guardianship or that the type and scope of guardianship should
2be modified; (ii) the disabled person no longer wishes to be
3under guardianship or desires that the type and scope of
4guardianship be modified; and (iii) the guardian of the
5disabled person states that it is in the best interest of the
6disabled person to terminate the adjudication of disability of
7the ward, revoke the letters of guardianship of the estate or
8person, or both, or modify the duties of the guardian, and
9provides the basis thereof. In a proceeding brought pursuant to
10this subsection (b-5), the court may terminate the adjudication
11of disability of the ward, revoke the letters of guardianship
12of the estate or person, or both, or modify the duties of the
13guardian, unless it has been demonstrated by clear and
14convincing evidence that the ward is incapable of performing
15the tasks necessary for the care of his or her person or the
16management of his or her estate.
17    (c) Notice of the hearing on a petition under this Section,
18together with a copy of the petition, shall be given to the
19ward, unless he is the petitioner, and to each and every
20guardian to whom letters of guardianship have been issued and
21not revoked, not less than 14 days before the hearing.
22(Source: P.A. 86-605.)
 
23    (755 ILCS 5/13-1)  (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 13-1)
24    Sec. 13-1. Appointment and term of public administrator and
25public guardian.) Except as provided in Sections Section 13-1.1

 

 

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1and 13-1.3, before the first Monday of December, 1977 and every
24 years thereafter, and as often as vacancies occur, the
3Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
4shall appoint in each county a suitable person to serve as
5public administrator and a suitable person to serve as public
6guardian of the county. The Governor may appoint the same
7person to serve as public guardian and public administrator in
8one or more counties. In considering the number of counties of
9service for any prospective public guardian or public
10administrator the Governor may consider the population of the
11county and the ability of the prospective public guardian or
12public administrator to travel to multiple counties and manage
13estates in multiple counties. Each person so appointed holds
14his office for 4 years from the first Monday of December, 1977
15and every 4 years thereafter or until his successor is
16appointed and qualified.
17(Source: P.A. 96-752, eff. 1-1-10.)
 
18    (755 ILCS 5/13-1.3 new)
19    Sec. 13-1.3. Transition to Office of State Guardian. In
20counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less, and in which
21there is no currently serving public guardian, the Governor
22shall, within 90 days after the effective date of this
23amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, appoint the Office
24of State Guardian the public guardian. In counties having a
25population of 1,000,000 or less, and in which a public guardian

 

 

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1is currently serving but that public guardian's term of office
2has expired, the Governor shall, no earlier than 9 months and
3no later than 15 months after the effective date of this
4amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, appoint the Office
5of State Guardian the public guardian. Subsequently, in
6counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less and upon the
7expiration of the public guardian's term, the State Guardian
8shall be appointed the public guardian. The State Guardian
9appointed as public guardian shall serve continuously and not
10be subject to 4-year terms of appointment. In cases in which
11the State Guardian serves as public guardian, the State
12Guardian shall assume only the duties described in Sections 30
13and 32 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act and shall be
14otherwise subject to the provisions of the Guardianship and
15Advocacy Act and not this Article XIII.".