§ 2-21 — Findings and adjudication

(1) The court shall state for the record the manner in which the parties received service of process and shall note whether the return or returns of service, postal return receipt or receipts for notice by certified mail, or certificate or certificates of publication have been filed in the court record. The court shall enter any appropriate orders of default against any parent who has been properly served in any manner and fails to appear. No further service of process as defined in Sections 2-15 and 2-16 is required in any subsequent proceeding for a parent who was properly served in any manner, except as required by Supreme Court Rule 11. The caseworker shall testify about the diligent search conducted for the parent. After hearing the evidence the court shall determine whether or not the minor is abused, neglected, or dependent. If it finds that the minor is not such a person, the court shall order the petition dismissed and the minor discharged. The court's determination of whether the minor is abused, neglected, or dependent shall be stated in writing with the factual basis supporting that determination. If the court finds that the minor is abused, neglected, or dependent, the court shall then determine and put in writing the factual basis supporting that determination, and specify, to the extent possible, the acts or omissions or both of each parent, guardian, or legal custodian that form the basis of the court's findings. That finding shall appear in the order of the court. If the court finds that the child has been abused, neglected or dependent, the court shall admonish the parents that they must cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services, comply with the terms of the service plan, and correct the conditions that require the child to be in care, or risk termination of parental rights. If the court determines that a person has inflicted physical or sexual abuse upon a minor, the court shall report that determination to the Illinois State Police, which shall include that information in its report to the President of the school board for a school district that requests a criminal history records check of that person, or the regional superintendent of schools who requests a check of that person, as required under Section 10-21.9 or 34-18.5 of the School Code. (2) If, pursuant to subsection (1) of this Section, the court determines and puts in writing the factual basis supporting the determination that the minor is either abused or neglected or dependent, the court shall then set a time not later than 30 days after the entry of the finding for a dispositional hearing (unless an earlier date is required pursuant to Section 2-13.1) to be conducted under Section 2-22 at which hearing the court shall determine whether it is consistent with the health, safety and best interests of the minor and the public that the minor be made a ward of the court. To assist the court in making this and other determinations at the dispositional hearing, the court may order that an investigation be conducted and a dispositional report be prepared concerning the minor's physical and mental history and condition, family situation and background, economic status, education, occupation, history of delinquency or criminality, personal habits, and any other information that may be helpful to the court. The dispositional hearing may be continued once for a period not to exceed 30 days if the court finds that such continuance is necessary to complete the dispositional report. (3) The time limits of this Section may be waived only by consent of all parties and approval by the court, as determined to be consistent with the health, safety and best interests of the minor. (4) For all cases adjudicated prior to July 1, 1991, for which no dispositional hearing has been held prior to that date, a dispositional hearing under Section 2-22 shall be held within 90 days of July 1, 1991. (5) The court may terminate the parental rights of a parent at the initial dispositional hearing if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the original or amended petition contains a request for termination of parental rights and appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption; and (ii) the court has found by a preponderance of evidence, introduced or stipulated to at an adjudicatory hearing, that the child comes under the jurisdiction of the court as an abused, neglected, or dependent minor under Section 2-18; and (iii) the court finds, on the basis of clear and convincing evidence admitted at the adjudicatory hearing that the parent is an unfit person under subdivision D of Section 1 of the Adoption Act; and (iv) the court determines in accordance with the rules of evidence for dispositional proceedings, that: (A) it is in the best interest of the minor and public that the child be made a ward of the court; (A-1) the petitioner has demonstrated that the Department has discussed the permanency options of guardianship and adoption with the caregiver and the Department has informed the court of the caregiver's wishes as to the permanency goal; (A-5) reasonable efforts under subsection (l-1) of Section 5 of the Children and Family Services Act are inappropriate or such efforts were made and were unsuccessful; and (B) termination of parental rights and appointment of a guardian with power to consent to adoption is in the best interest of the child pursuant to Section 2-29.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 103-1061, eff. 2-5-25.)