UNIT III - MINORS REQUIRING AUTHORITATIVE INTERVENTION ARTICLE III - 705 ILCS 405/3)
H. Petitions/Filing of Petitions (705 ILCS 405/3-15): Any adult person, agency, or association by its representative may file, or the court on its own motion may direct a filing through the State's Attorney, a petition in respect to a minor under this act.
I. Date for Adjudicatory Hearing (705 ILCS 405/3-16): When a petition has been filed alleging MRAI, an adjudicatory hearing shall be held within 120 days of demand made by any party. The court may, upon motion by the state, continue the adjudication hearing for no more than 30 additional days.
J. Guardian ad litem (705 ILCS 405/3-19): The court may appoint a Guardian ad litem for a minor if a petition alleges that the minor is a victim of sexual abuse or misconduct or the petition alleges that the charges alleging the commission of a sex offense against a child have been filed against a defendant in any court and that the minor in question is the alleged victim of the acts of the defendant.
The Guardian ad litem will represent the best interests of the child. Furthermore, the Guardian ad litem has a right to be represented by counsel if he or she is not an attorney. Often, the court may appoint a Guardian ad litem for minor when it finds that there may be a conflict of interest between the minor and his/her parents or custodian.
