Title
Joint resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation in the amount of $3,575 with offsetting revenue for the Public Defender to serve as Guardian ad Litem throughout the adoption process during Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) cases.
Staff Summary
· Adoption cases have been moved from the Waukegan Branch Court to the Depke Juvenile Justice Center in Vernon Hills.
· Few private attorneys are available to serve as Guardian ad Litem in the Vernon Hills in DCFS cases when parental rights have been terminated.
· The Courts have asked the Public Defender’s Office to serve as Guardian ad Litem throughout the adoption process during DCFS cases in exchange for attorney’s fees.
· An emergency appropriation of $3,575 is required to spend the revenue generated from these fees on costs associated with these cases.
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Defender’s Office served as the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in DCFS abuse and neglect cases up until parental rights were terminated and a private attorney was appointed the GAL for purposes of the finalization of the adoption; and
WHEREAS, in November of 2011, adoption cases were moved from the Waukegan Branch Court to the Depke Juvenile Justice Center in Vernon Hills; and
WHEREAS, few private attorneys are available to serve as GAL for adoption cases after termination of parental rights in the Vernon Hills area; and
WHEREAS, the Courts have asked the Public Defender’s Office to serve as the GAL through the completion of the adoption process on DCFS cases in exchange for attorney’s fees; and
WHEREAS, the Public Defender’s Office has received $575 from these cases to date and it is necessary to deposit this money as revenue,
WHEREAS, the Public Defender’s Office anticipates receiving an additional $3,000 for these cases during the remainder of FY12; and
WHEREAS, an emergency appropriation of $3,575 is required to offset the costs associated with these cases; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Co...
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