Dear Senator,

I am writing to ask for your support in creating legislation that requires Guardian ad Litems (GALs) in Illinois to receive mandatory training when they are appointed to cases involving medically fragile children, including those living with chronic and life-threatening conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes.

Currently, Illinois has no training requirements that equip GALs to understand the medical needs, safety risks, or daily management of serious pediatric health conditions. Yet GALs are routinely given the authority to make recommendations that directly impact a child’s medical stability, custody arrangements, and daily care. When a GAL lacks medical knowledge, even well-intentioned decisions can place a child in immediate danger.

Parents across the state have reported instances where a GAL minimized or misunderstood the medical severity of a child’s condition, dismissed medically necessary safety concerns, or recommended parenting arrangements that jeopardized the child’s wellbeing. Children with Type 1 Diabetes, for example, require constant monitoring, rapid decision-making, and highly specialized knowledge. A misunderstanding of these needs—even for a few hours—can have life-threatening consequences.

Requiring GALs to receive standardized training in chronic pediatric illness would:
• Improve the accuracy and safety of GAL recommendations
• Ensure child health needs are recognized and respected in court
• Reduce preventable medical crises arising from court-ordered parenting plans
• Promote fairness and consistency in cases involving special medical circumstances

This reform is simple, effective, and urgently needed. No child’s health should be compromised because the court-appointed advocate lacks the training required to understand their condition. Illinois has the opportunity to lead the nation in protecting medically fragile children in the family court system.

I respectfully urge you to support legislation that establishes mandatory GAL training for cases involving medically fragile children. These children cannot advocate for themselves—so we must ensure the adults making decisions on their behalf are fully informed.

Thank you for your time and commitment to protecting Illinois families.