A child representative is an attorney for the parties’ child(ren) that advocates what the child representative finds to be in the best interests of the child(ren) after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case.  The child representative is required to meet with the child(ren) and the parties, investigate the facts of the case, and encourage settlement and the use of alternative forms of dispute resolution.  Unlike a guardian ad litem, the child representative cannot be called as a witness to testify.  For more information about child representatives, please see Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/506). 

A guardian ad litem (also known as a “GAL”) is an attorney for the parties’ child(ren). The guardian ad litem is required to investigate the facts of the case, interview the child(ren) and the parties, and testify or submit a written report to the court regarding his or her recommendations in accordance with the best interest of the child.  Unlike a child representative, the guardian ad litem may be called as a witness for purposes of cross-examination regarding the guardian ad litem's report or recommendations.  For more information about GALs, please see Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/506).

An attorney for the child is an attorney who represents the parties’ child(ren).  The attorney for the child provides independent legal counsel for the child(ren) and owes the same duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and competent representation as are due an adult client. For more information about attorneys for the child, please see Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/506)

The court has the discretion to order fees paid to the child's attorney, GAL or child representative, which may include a retainer fee.  The court will order that these fees be paid by either or both parents, by the marital/civil union estate, if applicable, or by the child's separate estate, if applicable. 

If you cannot afford to pay for a child’s attorney, child representative or guardian ad litem, the court may appoint the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian which has sliding scale fees.  Court appointments of the Public Guardian in a Domestic Relations case may be made if all parties and children live in Cook County, if at least one of the parties is represented by an attorney, and if the parties have attempted mediation of their dispute prior to the appointment.

In any proceeding involving the allocation of parental responsibilities, parentage, support, relocation, property interest, abuse, or general welfare of a minor or dependent child, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the parties’ child(ren).  The court may do so on its own motion or by motion of a party.  For more information about the appointment of an attorney for the child(ren), please see Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/506).

The current list of attorneys who have been approved as Child Representatives/Guardians Ad Litem can be found here.

To become a Domestic Relations child representative / guardian ad litem, you
must submit an application to the Presiding Judge of Domestic Relations.  The minimum requirements for becoming a child representative/guardian ad litem are included in the application packet. Pursuant to General Orders 2013 D 3 and 2015 D 6, you may also apply to become a child representative / guardian ad litem after completing the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (“CVLS”) Pro Bono Child Representative Program.

After submitting your application, you will be interviewed by the members of the Child Representative Screening Committee.  If you are accepted by the Presiding Judge and the Committee, you will then be required to watch a training video and meet with two active child representatives/GALs for training.  After all of your training is complete, you will be placed on the active Domestic Relations child representative/guardian ad litem roster, which will be distributed to the Domestic Relations judges.  For more information on this process, you can contact the law clerks for the Domestic Relations Division at (312) 603-3025.

The current list of members of the Child Representative Screening Committee can be found here.

Once you are placed on the active child representative/guardian ad litem roster, you will need to complete a minimum of three (3) seminar credit hours and do one pro bono case per year.  You can acquire seminar credit hours by either attending child representative seminars, which are hosted by the Domestic Relations Division or by training new child representatives/guardian ad litems. Attending or participating in seminars outside of the Domestic Relations Division may count towards your credit hours, but are subject to the approval of the Presiding Judge of Domestic Relations.  If you fail to complete your required hours in a given year, you will be removed from the active Domestic Relations child representative/guardian ad litem roster and will not be assigned to any more cases. 

THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY

DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION

CHILD REPRESENTATIVE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS

All 2024 seminars are held via Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month unless otherwise indicated. All Child Representatives shall attend three (3) seminars per year to remain on the approved Child Representative list. In addition, the Division is an accredited Illinois MCLE provider.
 

Speakers:

• Daniel Hunter, Family Mediation Services
• Stephanie Garrity, Rainbows for All Children

Speakers:

• Hon. Jill Rose Quinn, Domestic Relations Division
• Sharon Z. Johnson, PhD, Northshore University Health System
• Kathryn Ciesla, Attorney-at-Law

Speakers:

• Dr. Beth Wilner, PhD, Families in Transition
• Arlette Porter, Attorney-at-Law
• Jacqueline Torshen, Attorney-at-Law

Speakers:

• Hon. David Haracz, Juvenile Justice Division
• Hon. Jennifer Payne, Child Protection Division
• Melissa Staas, Attorney-at-Law

 Speakers:

• Roberto Madera, Attorney-at-Law
• Agnes Olechno, Attorney-at-Law

Speaker:

• David Gotzh, Attorney-at-Law

Speakers:

• Aaron Cooper, PhD, The Family Institute
• Jacalyn Birnbaum, Attorney-at-Law
• Stacey Platt, Attorney-at-Law

In some cases, the court will appoint the Office of the Public Guardian to represent minors in cases involving issues of allocation of parental responsibilities, parentage, support, relocation, property interest, abuse, or general welfare of the minor or dependent child. For more information about the Public Guardian, please visit the Office of the Public Guardian’s website.