ILLINOIS GUARDIANSHIP COMMISSION

ILLINOIS GUARDIANSHIP COMMISSION


Created in 1979, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. A board of eleven Commissioners, who serve without compensation, govern the agency. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. By providing legal representation, investigating complaints of rights violations and providing state guardianship for Illinois' population with disabilities, the Commission has given voice to those who have previously gone unheard.

Three program Divisions in nine regions throughout the State carry out the responsibilities of the Commission:

Office of State Guardian (OSG) : Appointed by the courts as a guardian of last resort, the OSG provides case services and money management to more than 5,400 persons with disabilities.

Legal Advocacy Service (LAS) : LAS represents persons with disabilities at commitment hearings and makes counsel available to enforce the rights of those with disabilities under the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and other related laws.

Human Rights Authority (HRA) : With the assistance of a team of volunteers, the HRA conducts investigations of alleged rights violations by providers against people with disabilities. Additionally, this program area works closely with providers to help resolve rights issues.

The Human Rights Authority exists to conduct investigations of complaints of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. Based on early models of a singular regional grassroots program, the Human Rights Authority serves as a statewide framework providing direction and standards for a largely volunteer effort.

http://gac.state.il.us/hra/