LEGAL EDUC.-GUARDIANS AD LITEM

Encourages the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, acting through the Illinois Judicial College, to develop, approve, and offer a continuing legal education program for GALs serving in family law and juvenile matters that includes, at a minimum, instruction regarding chronic medical conditions affecting children, training addressing the distinction between medical advocacy and parental conflict, guidance on appropriate consultation with treating medical professionals, education concerning treatment adherence and risk assessment, and instruction regarding the ethical limits of a GAL's medical opinions. Encourages the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to promote participation in such training to GALs statewide and to communicate this recommendation to the Chief Judge of each judicial circuit for consideration in appointment and continued service determinations.