755 ILCS 45/2-10.3

(755 ILCS 45/2-10.3)

Sec. 2-10.3. Successor agents.

(a) A principal may designate one or more successor agents to act if an initial or predecessor agent resigns, dies, becomes incapacitated, is not qualified to serve, or declines to serve. A principal may grant authority to another person, designated by name, by office, or by function, including an initial or successor agent, to designate one or more successor agents. Unless a power of attorney otherwise provides, a successor agent has the same authority as that granted to an initial agent.

(b) An agent is not liable for the actions of another agent, including a predecessor agent, unless the agent participates in or conceals a breach of fiduciary duty committed by the other agent. An agent who has knowledge of a breach or imminent breach of fiduciary duty by another agent must notify the principal and, if the principal is incapacitated, take whatever actions may be reasonably appropriate in the circumstances to safeguard the principal's best interest.

(c) Any person who acts in good faith reliance on the representation of a successor agent regarding the unavailability of a predecessor agent will be fully protected and released to the same extent as though the reliant had dealt directly with the predecessor agent. Upon request, the successor agent shall furnish an affidavit or Successor Agent's Certification and Acceptance of Authority to the reliant, but good faith reliance on a document purporting to establish an agency will protect the reliant without the affidavit or Successor Agent's Certification and Acceptance of Authority. A Successor Agent's Certification and Acceptance of Authority shall be in substantially the following form:

SUCCESSOR AGENT'S CERTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF AUTHORITY

I certify that the attached is a true copy of a power of attorney naming the undersigned as agent or successor agent for .......... (insert name of principal).

I certify that to the best of my knowledge the principal had the capacity to execute the power of attorney, is alive, and has not revoked the power of attorney; that my powers as agent have not been altered or terminated; and that the power of attorney remains in full force and effect.

I certify that to the best of my knowledge .......... (insert name of unavailable agent) is unavailable due to ................. (specify death, resignation, absence, illness, or other temporary incapacity).

I accept appointment as agent under this power of attorney.

This certification and acceptance is made under penalty of perjury.*

Dated: ................................... (Agent's Signature) ....................... (Print Agent's Name) ....................... (Agent's Address) *(NOTE: Perjury is defined in Section 32-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012, and is a Class 3 felony.)

(Source: P.A. 96-1195, eff. 7-1-11; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)