IllinoisHB4614104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

JUV CT&PROBATE-GUARDIANSHIP

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 concerning abused, neglected, and dependent minors. Provides that when the minor is placed in the custody of a suitable relative or other person as legal custodian or guardian or placed in subsidized guardianship of a suitable relative or other person as legal guardian, custody or guardianship continues until the court otherwise directs, but not after the minor reaches the age of 18 years. Provides that when a minor is placed in the guardianship of a probation officer, committed to an agency for care or placement, or committed to the Department of Children and Family Services for care and service, custody or guardianship granted continues until the court otherwise directs, but not after the minor reaches the age of 21 years. Makes other changes. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that if the minor is a youth in care under the guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 when the petition for the appointment of a guardian of a minor is filed, the court's determinations and findings shall be made consistent with the court review provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that any motion to modify or vacate the appointment of a guardian of a minor who was a youth in care immediately preceding the filing of a petition for the appointment of a minor guardian shall be filed and reviewed pursuant to the supplemental provisions to reinstate wardship of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if custody and guardianship is to be restored to a parent or guardian who was a respondent in the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 case, the court's determinations and findings shall be made consistent with the court review provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Defines "youth in care". Effective immediately.

judiciary - civilassignmentsjudiciary

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More court review after guardianship changes

Before a child turns 18, a supplemental petition can ask the court to enforce visitation, end guardianship, or discharge a guardian. This applies when wardship ended in connection with appointing a private guardian, and the child is not currently a ward or subject to a pending wardship petition. The court restores wardship and reopens the case. It may ask DCFS to review the child’s current and proposed homes or monitor the child’s health and safety while the case is pending. After wardship is restored, the court must schedule a permanency hearing and, when applicable, a transition-to-adulthood review hearing.

More safeguards in child guardianship cases

Courts must follow juvenile-care rules when deciding guardianship cases involving children in DCFS care. Requests to change or end guardianship for a child who was in care just before the guardianship petition must follow the juvenile court process. Parents whose rights remain intact can name a future guardian in writing with two witnesses, and children age 14 or older can nominate a guardian. The law also bars guardianship petitions filed mainly to reduce a child’s resources for educational aid and limits appointments of people who caused or substantially contributed to abuse or neglect.

Subsidized guardianship for children

A court can place a child who is a ward with a suitable relative or another person as guardian, with DCFS approval. The court must find that the parent, guardian, or custodian is unfit, unwilling, or unable to care for the child for a reason beyond finances alone. It must also find that staying in that person’s care would put the child’s health, safety, or best interests at risk. The placement can include subsidy support, but the law does not state an amount.

Age limits on court guardianship

Some court-ordered custody or guardianship ends no later than the child’s 18th birthday. Other orders can last no later than the 21st birthday. The court can end an order sooner.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Ann M. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 196 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 59 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Do Pass Judiciary;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 109 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee;

Yes: 20 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0667

    7/31/2026House
  2. Effective Date July 31, 2026

    7/31/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    7/31/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2026House
  6. Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000

    5/21/2026Senate
  7. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

    5/19/2026Senate
  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 20, 2026

    5/19/2026Senate
  9. Second Reading

    5/19/2026Senate
  10. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 5, 2026

    4/30/2026Senate
  11. Do Pass Judiciary; 008-000-000

    4/30/2026Senate
  12. Assigned to Judiciary

    4/22/2026Senate
  13. Referred to Assignments

    4/10/2026Senate
  14. First Reading

    4/10/2026Senate
  15. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    4/10/2026Senate
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/10/2026Senate
  17. Arrive in Senate

    4/10/2026Senate
  18. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-000

    4/8/2026House
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/7/2026House
  20. Second Reading - Short Debate

    4/7/2026House
  21. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    3/25/2026House
  22. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled

    3/25/2026House
  23. Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 020-000-000

    3/25/2026House
  24. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted in Judiciary - Civil Committee; by Voice Vote

    3/25/2026House
  25. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee

    3/24/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

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