104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2711
 
Introduced 10/14/2025, by Sen. Michael E. Hastings
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
750 ILCS 5/506.1 new
    Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, in consultation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services, to conduct a comprehensive study on the use, cost, and accessibility of guardian ad litem services in family law proceedings. Provides that the purpose of the study shall be to evaluate the impact of guardian ad litem appointments on litigants, with particular focus on low-income families, and to identify whether current practices promote fairness, access to justice, and the best interests of children. Requires that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts submit a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than December 31, 2026. Requires that the report shall include findings, analysis, and recommendations, including potential statutory language to update Illinois law governing guardian ad litem appointments, costs, and funding structures. Repeals the new provisions on January 1, 2028.


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A BILL FOR
 
SB2711LRB104 15672 JRC 28844 b

1    AN ACT concerning civil law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of 
5Marriage Act is amended by adding Section 506.1 as follows:
 
6    (750 ILCS 5/506.1 new)
7    Sec. 506.1. Study of guardian ad litem costs and effects 
8in family law proceedings.
9    (a) The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, in 
10consultation with the Department of Human Services and the 
11Department of Children and Family Services, shall conduct a 
12comprehensive study on the use, cost, and accessibility of 
13guardian ad litem services in family law proceedings.
14    (b) The purpose of the study shall be to evaluate the 
15impact of guardian ad litem appointments on litigants, with 
16particular focus on low-income families, and to identify 
17whether current practices promote fairness, access to justice, 
18and the best interests of children.
19    (c) The study shall include, but not be limited to, the 
20following:
21        (1) A review of the average costs of guardian ad litem 
22    services across Illinois counties and an assessment of the 
23    financial burden placed on low-income litigants.
 
 
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1        (2) An examination of whether the cost of guardian ad 
2    litem services creates barriers to participation in family 
3    law proceedings or results in inequitable treatment of 
4    parties with differing financial means.
5        (3) An evaluation of the role and benefits of guardian 
6    ad litem appointments in ensuring that the voice and best 
7    interests of the child are effectively represented.
8        (4) Identification of potential shortcomings, 
9    including concerns of affordability, lack of transparency 
10    in billing practices, and whether guardian ad litem 
11    recommendations disproportionately affect litigants based 
12    on income status.
13        (5) An analysis of the structure, funding, and 
14    regulation of other states' guardian ad litem programs, 
15    with particular attention to cost allocation models that 
16    reduce burdens on low-income parties.
17        (6) An assessment of whether establishing a State 
18    subsidized guardian ad litem fund in Illinois would assist 
19    in improving family law cases involving low-income 
20    litigants, improve access to justice, and promote more 
21    equitable outcomes.
22        (7) Recommendations regarding potential statutory or 
23    administrative reforms to balance the benefits of guardian 
24    ad litem representation with equitable cost structures 
25    that ensure no child is disadvantaged because of a 
26    parent's financial circumstances.
 
 
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1    (d) The study shall incorporate input from litigants with 
2experience in the matters covered in the study, judges, family 
3law practitioners, guardians ad litem, parent advocacy groups, 
4and child welfare experts.
5    (e) The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall 
6submit a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor 
7no later than December 31, 2026. The report shall include 
8findings, analyses, and recommendations, including potential 
9statutory language, to update Illinois law governing guardian 
10ad litem appointments, costs, and funding structures in family 
11law proceedings.
12    (f) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2028.