I.J.C.A. - UNIT I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act is to provide protection, care and guidance to children in custody. It is meant to ensure that every child receives available social services, psychiatric treatment, and state or county financial support as he or she may need. It is meant to guarantee services for every child.
A. Purpose and Policy (705 ILCS 405/1-2):
As stated in the Juvenile Court Act, it's purpose is to, "secure for each minor subject hereto such care and guidance, preferably in his/her own home, as will serve the moral, emotional, mental and physical welfare of the minor and the best interests of the community, to preserve and strengthen the minor's family ties whenever possible, removing him/her from the custody of his/her parents only when his/her welfare or safety or the protection of the public cannot be adequately safeguarded without removal. When the minor is removed from his/her own family's custody, a standard of care and discipline, as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should be given by his/her own parents, must be secured for the minor. When possible, it can and should properly be done to place the minor in a family home so that he/she may become a member of the family by legal adoption or otherwise, provided a ground for unfitness under the adoption act is met."
