Section Newsletters

Articles on Child Law

Save the Date: Saturday November 18, 2023 – National Adoption Day By Hon. Martin J. Mengarelli Child Law, May 2023 The goal of National Adoption Day, which is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is to bring attention to the children in foster care waiting to be adopted.
Child Abuse: It Affects Us All By Peggy McGuire Child Law, April 2023 Although child abuse is a topic that most people do not want to think about or discuss, it has long standing implications for society.
GAL’s Perspective on Proposed Amendments to 750 ILCS 5/506 Representation of a Child By Sean P. Sullivan Child Law, April 2023 Several Illinois legislators have proposed legislation to amend or alter the language of 750 ILCS 506 of the Ilinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which governs how children are represented in the court system.
Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates By Mari Christopherson Child Law, April 2023 The cornerstone of the CASA mission is providing best-interest advocacy for children before the court due to allegations of abuse and/or neglect.
Illinois Expands Youthful Parole By Hallie M. Bezner Child Law, April 2023 In February, Gov. Pritzker officially signed HB 1064 into law, effectively abolishing juvenile life without parole as we know it in Illinois.
Equip for Equality Education Justice Project By Jessica Gingold Child Law, December 2022 An overview of Equip for Equality’s Education Justice Project.
Illinois, Home of World’s First Juvenile Court, Fails to Provide Rights to Children By Elizabeth Clarke Child Law, December 2022 A new report by Human Rights Watch finds that most U.S. states, including Illinois, fail to comply with international child rights standards.
Illinois House Resolution Urges In-Person Hearings for Juveniles Where Liberty Is at Stake By Scott F. Main Child Law, December 2022 In March of 2022, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Resolution 616, urging the Illinois Supreme Court to require Illinois courts to responsibly transition juvenile delinquency proceedings back to in-person hearings, especially where liberty interests are at stake.
Juvenile Redeploy IL 2015-2021 By John J. Rekowski Child Law, December 2022 A new report documents the success of Juvenile Redeploy IL in expanding community-based alternatives for youth at risk of commitment to juvenile prison.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Update: Age of Protection in Illinois Extended From 18 to 21 By Hillary Richardson Diversity Leadership Council, June 2022 Public Act 102-0259, signed into law on August 6, 2021, protects vulnerable youth ages 18-21 by allowing them to access Illinois courts in a way that complies with federal immigration law.
Amendments to 750 ILCS 5/607.6 By Erin Wilson & Paige Zilinskas Child Law, May 2022 On August 13, 2021, section 607.6 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which addresses court-ordered therapy,  was amended by House Bill 2741.
The Intersection of the Law, Vaccinations, and COVID-19 By Lisa L. Dunn Child Law, May 2022 Courts are now being asked to weigh in on difficul decisions regarding children and COVID-19.
Is Grandparent Visitation a Viable Cause of Action Under the IMDMA? By Sean P. Sullivan Child Law, May 2022 Many potential clients insist that they have a right to see their grandchildren because they are a grandparent. Illinois law does not provide that simply by virtue of being a grandparent someone has a right to demand visitation with a grandchild. However, grandparents may fall into the class of “non-parents” who may have standing to seek visitation with a minor child. 
The Trend Away From the ‘Every Other Weekend’ Parent By Amy Silberstein Child Law, May 2022 In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on a divorced parent with less parenting time having a more expanded parenting role and time schedule.
What Is the Difference Between a Guardian ad Litem, Child Representative, Parenting Coordinator, and Mediator? By Erin M. Wilson & Olivia K. Basu Child Law, May 2022 A look at the distinctions between the four major roles in family law proceedings: guardian ad litem, child representative, parenting coordinator, and mediator.
Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: A New Pilot Program By Vickie Smith Child Law, April 2022 For the past five years, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been an active partner in a pilot project called the Domestic Violence Co-Location Project.
Child Welfare From a Judge’s Perspective By Emily Maurer Child Law, April 2022 An interview with Judge Christy Solverson, presiding circuit judge for the Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro.
Help Support Our Caseworkers By Judge Martin Mengarelli Child Law, April 2022 The most overlooked and underappreciated asset of a juvenile abuse case is the caseworker.
Illinois CASA Updates During Covid By Mari Christopherson Child Law, April 2022 The Illinois CASA network provides best interest volunteer advocacy to over 9,000 children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect through its network of 31 local offices working in 54 counties.
Case Law Update: Child Law Proceedings in the Pandemic By Susan M. Brazas Goldberg Child Law, January 2022 Over the past year, several court decisions have addressed claims of denial of due process resulting from court hearing being conducted via Zoom rather than in person.
Global Trends in Children’s Rights By Elizabeth Clarke Child Law, January 2022 Summaries of several global issues in juvenile justice.
Illinois Ending ‘Automatic’ Transfer in Practice—Juvenile Judges Now Make Most Transfer Decisions By Scott Main & Hallie M. Bezner Child Law, January 2022 A new report from the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission documents the striking downturn in the use of “automatic” prosecution of children in adult court in Illinois.
New Legislation on Restorative Justice: National Restorative Justice Conference Chicago July 2022 By Mark D. Hassakis Child Law, January 2022 A new law, Public Act 102-100, effective July 2021, established a legal privilege for “anything said or done during the [restorative justice] practice, or in anticipation of or as a follow-up to the practice.”
Task Force Calls for Changes in Juvenile Detention Policies for Children Ages 10-12 By Sharita Forrest Child Law, January 2022 CONTACT: Sharita Forrest, Education editor 217-244-1072, slforres@illinois.edu CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center superintendent Brian Brown had a hunch that his county’s detention rates might be disproportionately higher than those of similar-sized counties, but he didn’t have the data at his fingertips to make comparisons and advocate for needed reforms.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Update: Age of Protection in Illinois Extended From 18 to 21 By Hillary Richardson International and Immigration Law, November 2021 Public Act 102-0259, signed into law on August 6, 2021, protects vulnerable youth ages 18-21 by allowing them to access Illinois courts in a way that complies with federal immigration law.
Case Summary: Leroy K.D. v. Nicole B. By Cristina Rizen Child Law, October 2021 A summary and analysis of Leroy K.D. v. Nicole B.
First District Confirms that Child Rapist Does Not Have Parental Rights if Victim Mother Withdraws Her Consent By Kelly Thames Bennett Child Law, October 2021 A summary and analysis of In re Parentage of D.S.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Update: Age of Protection in Illinois Extended from 18 to 21 By Hillary Richardson Child Law, October 2021 Public Act 102-0259, signed into law on August 6, 2021, protects vulnerable youth ages 18-21 by allowing them to access Illinois courts in a way that complies with federal immigration law.
‘What Can Be Given Can Be Taken Away’: In re Parentage of D.S. By Sean P. Sullivan Child Law, October 2021 A summary and analysis of In re Parentage of D.S.
Compassion Fatigue: How to Stay Healthy When Working in Unhealthy Settings By Dr. Diana Uchiyama Elder Law, May 2021 An overview of compassion fatigue and practical tips for preventing it from happening to you.

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