Letter Urging Governor Blagojevich to Sign into Law S.B. 658 Without an Amendatory Veto

August 8, 2005
The Honorable Rod Blagojevich
Governor
State of Illinois
100 W. Randolph
Chicago IL 60601

Dear Governor Blagojevich,

We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to sign into law S.B. 658, legislation that will give Illinois judges the ability to appoint the most appropriate guardian for a child or person with a disability. Furthermore, we ask that you do not execute an amendatory veto of this act, which represents compromise language that was developed during two years of consideration by the legislature.

Parents who are dying, terminally ill, disabled, or unable to provide care want to know that that their children will be loved and cared for by the person of their choosing. But today parents are barred from selecting as a guardian a person with a felony conviction, no matter what the offense or how long ago it happened. Current law causes unnecessary anxiety for parents facing death or disability, creates uncertainty for children who are terrified about their future, and punishes loved ones or family members who already have been held accountable for their crime and have been rehabilitated.

Before a 2003 court decision overturning the practice, judges could use their discretion to appoint guardians with felonies based on the child's best interests. S.B. 658 will restore that ability by creating a three-part test with clear guidelines for judges and extensive protections for children and the disabled. Judges must consider the date of the offense, the nature of the offense, and evidence of the proposed guardian's rehabilitation. Furthermore, the act puts in place common-sense bans for anyone who harmed or threatened to harm a child or disabled person or committed a felony sex offense.

Senator John Cullerton and Representative Barbara Flynn Currie worked very hard to pass this act to give peace of mind to parents who are disabled, dying, or unable to provide care. We urge you to add to your significant record of actions that support families, children, and the disabled by signing into law S.B. 658.

Sincerely,

ACLU of Illinois
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation
Chicago Women’s AIDS Project
Christian Community Health Center
Cook County Bar Association
El Rincon Community Clinic
Equip for Equality
FCAN, the Families' and Children's AIDS Network
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health
Illinois State Bar Association
Jelani Unified Men's Project
Pan-African Association
Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative
Project IRENE
Recovery 2000, Inc.
Southside Help Center
Westside Health Center of Cook County

Action Alert

Chicago Bar Association Letter to the Governor (PDF)

S.B. 658 Bill Summary and Status

S.B. 658 Text