(705 ILCS 405/2-34)

Sec. 2-34. Motion to reinstate parental rights.

(1) For purposes of this subsection (1), the term "parent" refers to the person or persons whose rights were terminated as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection; and the term "minor" means a person under the age of 21 years subject to this Act for whom the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator is appointed the temporary custodian or guardian.

A motion to reinstate parental rights may be filed only by the Department of Children and Family Services or the minor regarding any minor who is presently a ward of the court under Article II of this Act when all the conditions set out in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this subsection (1) are met:

(a) while the minor was under the jurisdiction of the court under Article II of this Act, the minor's parent or parents surrendered the minor for adoption to an agency legally authorized to place children for adoption, or the minor's parent or parents consented to the minor's adoption, or the minor's parent or parents consented to the minor's adoption by a specified person or persons, or the parent or parents' rights were terminated pursuant to a finding of unfitness pursuant to Section 2-29 of this Act and a guardian was appointed with the power to consent to adoption pursuant to Section 2-29 of this Act; and

(b) (i) since the signing of the surrender, the signing of the consent, or the unfitness finding, the minor has remained a ward of the Court under Article II of this Act; or

(ii) the minor was made a ward of the Court, the minor was placed in the private guardianship of an individual or individuals, and after the appointment of a private guardian and a new petition alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency pursuant to Section 2-3 or 2-4 is filed, and the minor is again found by the court to be abused, neglected or dependent; or a supplemental petition to reinstate wardship is filed pursuant to Section 2-33, and the court reinstates wardship; or

(iii) the minor was made a ward of the Court, wardship was terminated after the minor was adopted, after the adoption a new petition alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency pursuant to Section 2-3 or 2-4 is filed, and the minor is again found by the court to be abused, neglected, or dependent, and either (i) the adoptive parent or parents are deceased, (ii) the adoptive parent or parents signed a surrender of parental rights, or (iii) the parental rights of the adoptive parent or parents were terminated;

(c) the minor is not currently in a placement likely to achieve permanency;

(d) it is in the minor's best interest that parental rights be reinstated;

(e) the parent named in the motion wishes parental rights to be reinstated and is currently appropriate to have rights reinstated;

(f) more than 3 years have lapsed since the signing of the consent or surrender, or the entry of the order appointing a guardian with the power to consent to adoption;

(g) (i) the child is 13 years of age or older or (ii) the child is the younger sibling of such child, 13 years of age or older, for whom reinstatement of parental rights is being sought and the younger sibling independently meets the criteria set forth in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this subsection; and

(h) if the court has previously denied a motion to reinstate parental rights filed by the Department, there has been a substantial change in circumstances following the denial of the earlier motion.

(2) The motion may be filed only by the Department of Children and Family Services or by the minor. Unless excused by the court for good cause shown, the movant shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing on the motion, in person or by mail, to the parties to the juvenile court proceeding. Notice shall be provided at least 14 days in advance of the hearing date. The motion shall include the allegations required in subsection (1) of this Section.

(3) Any party may file a motion to dismiss the motion with prejudice on the basis that the parent has intentionally acted to prevent the child from being adopted, after parental rights were terminated or the parent intentionally acted to disrupt the child's adoption. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the parent has intentionally acted to prevent the child from being adopted, after parental rights were terminated or that the parent intentionally acted to disrupt the child's adoption, the court shall dismiss the petition with prejudice.

(4) The court shall not grant a motion for reinstatement of parental rights unless the court finds that the motion is supported by clear and convincing evidence. In ruling on a motion to reinstate parental rights, the court shall make findings consistent with the requirements in subsection (1) of this Section. The court shall consider the reasons why the child was initially brought to the attention of the court, the history of the child's case as it relates to the parent seeking reinstatement, and the current circumstances of the parent for whom reinstatement of rights is sought. If reinstatement is being considered subsequent to a finding of unfitness pursuant to Section 2-29 of this Act having been entered with respect to the parent whose rights are being restored, the court in determining the minor's best interest shall consider, in addition to the factors set forth in paragraph (4.05) of Section 1-3 of this Act, the specific grounds upon which the unfitness findings were made. Upon the entry of an order granting a motion to reinstate parental rights, parental rights of the parent named in the order shall be reinstated, any previous order appointing a guardian with the power to consent to adoption shall be void and with respect to the parent named in the order, any consent shall be void.

(5) If the case is post-disposition, the court, upon the entry of an order granting a motion to reinstate parental rights, shall schedule the matter for a permanency hearing pursuant to Section 2-28 of this Act within 45 days.

(6) Custody of the minor shall not be restored to the parent, except by order of court pursuant to subsection (4) of Section 2-28 of this Act.

(7) In any case involving a child over the age of 13 who meets the criteria established in this Section for reinstatement of parental rights, the Department of Children and Family Services shall conduct an assessment of the child's circumstances to assist in future planning for the child, including, but not limited to a determination regarding the appropriateness of filing a motion to reinstate parental rights.

(8) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)