Support for SB 1478: Right to Counsel for Youth in Foster Care
Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts supports SB 1478, a bill sponsored by Illinois State Senator Gillespie and Representative Collins that amends the Juvenile Court Act to establish a statutory right to counsel for youth in DCFS care.
Illinois is one of only 7 states that does not guarantee counsel to any youth in care and it is time for that to change. A young person’s voice can get lost in child and family welfare process. The bill prioritizes their autonomy by allowing youth the chance to advocate for what they desire for their guardianship. Guaranteeing “expressed interest” representation to all youth in care—especially those released into care from juvenile detention—ensures meaningful due process to adolescents and children.
SB 1478 will amend the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights Act to include the right for every foster child to have a court-appointed attorney to advocate for the youth’s wishes and make recommendations to the court regarding the youth’s care, and sets up parameters for minimum standards for representation in child abuse or neglect cases. The bill is thoughtfully drafted to include implementation oversight and will not prevent a guardian ad litem or Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) from serving the court in DCFS court proceedings. It also ensures that any child over the age of 8 years will be furnished a written “Notice of Rights” in all abuse and neglect proceedings.
Unfortunately, SB 1478 has been removed from the legislative calendar for hearing in the Illinois General Assembly Judiciary Committee this month, jeopardizing its chances for passage.
We need your help getting the legislation moving again.
Please contact your legislators and ask that the bill be called for hearing:
- Illinois Senate President Don Harmon of the 39th District: (708) 848-2002 or (217) 782-8176.
- Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, State Senator Robert Martwick of the 10th District: (773) 286-1115.
- If your state Senator sits on the judiciary committee, it would be helpful to call them as well.