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2005 Illinois Code - Chapter 320 Aging 320 ILCS 20/      Elder Abuse and Neglect Act.

    (320 ILCS 20/1) (from Ch. 23, par. 6601)
    Sec. 1. Short title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Elder Abuse and Neglect Act".
(Source: P.A. 85‑1184.)

    (320 ILCS 20/2) (from Ch. 23, par. 6602)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑281)
    Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) "Abuse" means causing any physical, mental or sexual injury to an eligible adult, including exploitation of such adult's financial resources.
    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of abuse or neglect for the sole reason that he or she is being furnished with or relies upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination.
    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of abuse because of health care services provided or not provided by licensed health care professionals.
    (a‑5) "Abuser" means a person who abuses, neglects, or financially exploits an eligible adult.
    (a‑7) "Caregiver" means a person who either as a result of a family relationship, voluntarily, or in exchange for compensation has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care of an eligible adult who needs assistance with activities of daily living.
    (b) "Department" means the Department on Aging of the State of Illinois.
    (c) "Director" means the Director of the Department.
    (d) "Domestic living situation" means a residence where the eligible adult lives alone or with his or her family or a caregiver, or others, or a board and care home or other community‑based unlicensed facility, but is not:
        (1) A licensed facility as defined in Section 1‑113
    
of the Nursing Home Care Act;
        (2) A "life care facility" as defined in the Life
    
Care Facilities Act;
        (3) A home, institution, or other place operated by
    
the federal government or agency thereof or by the State of Illinois;
        (4) A hospital, sanitarium, or other institution,
    
the principal activity or business of which is the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illness through the maintenance and operation of organized facilities therefor, which is required to be licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act;
        (5) A "community living facility" as defined in the
    
Community Living Facilities Licensing Act;
        (6) A "community residential alternative" as defined
    
in the Community Residential Alternatives Licensing Act; and
        (7) A "community‑integrated living arrangement" as
    
defined in the Community‑Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act.
    (e) "Eligible adult" means a person 60 years of age or older who resides in a domestic living situation and is, or is alleged to be, abused, neglected, or financially exploited by another individual.
    (f) "Emergency" means a situation in which an eligible adult is living in conditions presenting a risk of death or physical, mental or sexual injury and the provider agency has reason to believe the eligible adult is unable to consent to services which would alleviate that risk.
    (f‑5) "Mandated reporter" means any of the following persons while engaged in carrying out their professional duties:
        (1) a professional or professional's delegate while
    
engaged in: (i) social services, (ii) law enforcement, (iii) education, (iv) the care of an eligible adult or eligible adults, or (v) any of the occupations required to be licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the Dietetic and Nutrition Services Practice Act, the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Naprapathic Practice Act, the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987, the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987, the Illinois Physical Therapy Act, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act, the Illinois Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004, and the Illinois Public Accounting Act;
        (2) an employee of a vocational rehabilitation
    
facility prescribed or supervised by the Department of Human Services;
        (3) an administrator, employee, or person providing
    
services in or through an unlicensed community based facility;
        (4) a Christian Science Practitioner;
        (5) field personnel of the Department of Public Aid,
    
Department of Public Health, and Department of Human Services, and any county or municipal health department;
        (6) personnel of the Department of Human Services,
    
the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, the State Fire Marshal, local fire departments, the Department on Aging and its subsidiary Area Agencies on Aging and provider agencies, and the Office of State Long Term Care Ombudsman;
        (7) any employee of the State of Illinois not
    
otherwise specified herein who is involved in providing services to eligible adults, including professionals providing medical or rehabilitation services and all other persons having direct contact with eligible adults; or
        (8) a person who performs the duties of a coroner or
    
medical examiner.
      (g) "Neglect" means another individual's failure to provide an eligible adult with or willful withholding from an eligible adult the necessities of life including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter or medical care. This subsection does not create any new affirmative duty to provide support to eligible adults. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of neglect because of health care services provided or not provided by licensed health care professionals.
    (h) "Provider agency" means any public or nonprofit agency in a planning and service area appointed by the regional administrative agency with prior approval by the Department on Aging to receive and assess reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
    (i) "Regional administrative agency" means any public or nonprofit agency in a planning and service area so designated by the Department, provided that the designated Area Agency on Aging shall be designated the regional administrative agency if it so requests. The Department shall assume the functions of the regional administrative agency for any planning and service area where another agency is not so designated.
    (j) "Substantiated case" means a reported case of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in which a provider agency, after assessment, determines that there is reason to believe abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation has occurred.
(Source: P.A. 91‑259, eff. 1‑1‑00; 91‑357, eff. 7‑29‑99; 91‑533, eff. 8‑13‑99; 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 93‑281, eff. 12‑31‑03.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑300)
    Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise:
    (a) "Abuse" means causing any physical, mental or sexual injury to an eligible adult, including exploitation of such adult's financial resources.
    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of abuse or neglect for the sole reason that he or she is being furnished with or relies upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination.
    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of abuse because of health care services provided or not provided by licensed health care professionals.
    (a‑5) "Abuser" means a person who abuses, neglects, or financially exploits an eligible adult.
    (a‑7) "Caregiver" means a person who either as a result of a family relationship, voluntarily, or in exchange for compensation has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care of an eligible adult who needs assistance with activities of daily living.
    (b) "Department" means the Department on Aging of the State of Illinois.
    (c) "Director" means the Director of the Department.
    (d) "Domestic living situation" means a residence where the eligible adult lives alone or with his or her family or a caregiver, or others, or a board and care home or other community‑based unlicensed facility, but is not:
        (1) A licensed facility as defined in Section 1‑113
    
of the Nursing Home Care Act;
        (2) A "life care facility" as defined in the Life
    
Care Facilities Act;
        (3) A home, institution, or other place operated by
    
the federal government or agency thereof or by the State of Illinois;
        (4) A hospital, sanitarium, or other institution,
    
the principal activity or business of which is the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illness through the maintenance and operation of organized facilities therefor, which is required to be licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act;
        (5) A "community living facility" as defined in the
    
Community Living Facilities Licensing Act;
        (6) A "community residential alternative" as defined
    
in the Community Residential Alternatives Licensing Act; and
        (7) A "community‑integrated living arrangement" as
    
defined in the Community‑Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act.
    (e) "Eligible adult" means a person 60 years of age or older who resides in a domestic living situation and is, or is alleged to be, abused, neglected, or financially exploited by another individual.
    (f) "Emergency" means a situation in which an eligible adult is living in conditions presenting a risk of death or physical, mental or sexual injury and the provider agency has reason to believe the eligible adult is unable to consent to services which would alleviate that risk.
    (f‑5) "Mandated reporter" means any of the following persons while engaged in carrying out their professional duties:
        (1) a professional or professional's delegate while
    
engaged in: (i) social services, (ii) law enforcement, (iii) education, (iv) the care of an eligible adult or eligible adults, or (v) any of the occupations required to be licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the Dietetic and Nutrition Services Practice Act, the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Naprapathic Practice Act, the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987, the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987, the Illinois Physical Therapy Act, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act, the Illinois Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 1994, and the Illinois Public Accounting Act;
        (2) an employee of a vocational rehabilitation
    
facility prescribed or supervised by the Department of Human Services;
        (3) an administrator, employee, or person providing
    
services in or through an unlicensed community based facility;
        (4) a Christian Science Practitioner;
        (5) field personnel of the Department of Public Aid,
    
Department of Public Health, and Department of Human Services, and any county or municipal health department;
        (6) personnel of the Department of Human Services,
    
the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, the State Fire Marshal, local fire departments, the Department on Aging and its subsidiary Area Agencies on Aging and provider agencies, and the Office of State Long Term Care Ombudsman;
        (7) any employee of the State of Illinois not
    
otherwise specified herein who is involved in providing services to eligible adults, including professionals providing medical or rehabilitation services and all other persons having direct contact with eligible adults;
        (8) a person who performs the duties of a coroner or
    
medical examiner; or
        (9) a person who performs the duties of a paramedic
    
or an emergency medical technician.
    (g) "Neglect" means another individual's failure to provide an eligible adult with or willful withholding from an eligible adult the necessities of life including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter or medical care. This subsection does not create any new affirmative duty to provide support to eligible adults. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim of neglect because of health care services provided or not provided by licensed health care professionals.
    (h) "Provider agency" means any public or nonprofit agency in a planning and service area appointed by the regional administrative agency with prior approval by the Department on Aging to receive and assess reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
    (i) "Regional administrative agency" means any public or nonprofit agency in a planning and service area so designated by the Department, provided that the designated Area Agency on Aging shall be designated the regional administrative agency if it so requests. The Department shall assume the functions of the regional administrative agency for any planning and service area where another agency is not so designated.
    (j) "Substantiated case" means a reported case of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in which a provider agency, after assessment, determines that there is reason to believe abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation has occurred.
(Source: P.A. 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 93‑300, eff. 1‑1‑04; 93‑300, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

    (320 ILCS 20/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 6603)
    Sec. 3. Responsibilities.
    (a) The Department shall establish, design and manage a program of response and services for persons 60 years of age and older who have been, or are alleged to be, victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. The Department shall contract with or fund or, contract with and fund, regional administrative agencies, provider agencies, or both, for the provision of those functions, and, contingent on adequate funding, with attorneys or legal services provider agencies for the provision of legal assistance pursuant to this Act.
    (b) Each regional administrative agency shall designate provider agencies within its planning and service area with prior approval by the Department on Aging, monitor the use of services, provide technical assistance to the provider agencies and be involved in program development activities.
    (c) Provider agencies shall assist, to the extent possible, eligible adults who need agency services to allow them to continue to function independently. Such assistance shall include but not be limited to receiving reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, conducting face‑to‑face assessments of such reported cases, determination of substantiated cases, referral of substantiated cases for necessary support services, referral of criminal conduct to law enforcement in accordance with Department guidelines, and provision of case work and follow‑up services on substantiated cases.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/3.5)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑300)
    Sec. 3.5. Other Responsibilities. The Department shall also be responsible for the following activities, contingent upon adequate funding:
    (a) promotion of a wide range of endeavors for the purpose of preventing elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation in both domestic and institutional settings, including, but not limited to, promotion of public and professional education to increase awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, to increase reports, and to improve response by various legal, financial, social, and health systems;
    (b) coordination of efforts with other agencies, councils, and like entities, to include but not be limited to, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the State Triad, the Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Departments of Public Health, Public Aid, and Human Services, the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Violence Prevention Authority, and other entities which may impact awareness of, and response to, elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation;
    (c) collection and analysis of data;
    (d) monitoring of the performance of regional administrative agencies and elder abuse provider agencies;
    (e) promotion of prevention activities;
    (f) establishment and coordination of an aggressive training program about the unique nature of elder abuse cases with other agencies, councils, and like entities, including but not limited to the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the State Triad, the Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Departments of Public Health, Public Aid, and Human Services, the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, and other entities that may impact awareness of, and response to, elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation;
    (g) solicitation of financial institutions for the purpose of making information available to the general public warning of financial exploitation of the elderly and related financial fraud or abuse, including such information and warnings available through signage or other written materials provided by the Department on the premises of such financial institutions, provided that the manner of displaying or distributing such information is subject to the sole discretion of each financial institution; and
    (h) coordination of efforts with utility companies to send notices in utility bills which explain elder rights regarding telemarketing home repair frauds.
(Source: P.A. 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 93‑300, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑301)
    Sec. 3.5. Other Responsibilities. The Department shall also be responsible for the following activities, contingent upon adequate funding:
    (a) promotion of a wide range of endeavors for the purpose of preventing elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation in both domestic and institutional settings, including, but not limited to, promotion of public and professional education to increase awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, to increase reports, and to improve response by various legal, financial, social, and health systems;
    (b) coordination of efforts with other agencies, councils, and like entities, to include but not be limited to, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the State Triad, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Departments of Public Health, Public Aid, and Human Services, the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, and other entities which may impact awareness of, and response to, elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation;
    (c) collection and analysis of data;
    (d) monitoring of the performance of regional administrative agencies and elder abuse provider agencies;
    (e) promotion of prevention activities;
    (f) establishing and coordinating a training program on the unique nature of elder abuse cases with other agencies, councils, and like entities, to include but not be limited to the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the State Triad, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the State departments of Public Health, Public Aid, and Human Services, the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, and other entities that may impact awareness of, and response to elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation;
    (g) solicitation of financial institutions for the purpose of making information available to the general public warning of financial exploitation of the elderly and related financial fraud or abuse, including such information and warnings available through signage or other written materials provided by the Department on the premises of such financial institutions, provided that the manner of displaying or distributing such information is subject to the sole discretion of each financial institution; and
    (h) coordinating efforts with utility and electric companies to send notices in utility bills to explain to persons 60 years of age or older their rights regarding telemarketing and home repair fraud.
(Source: P.A. 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01; 93‑301, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

    (320 ILCS 20/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 6604)
    Sec. 4. Reports of abuse or neglect.
    (a) Any person who suspects the abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an eligible adult may report this suspicion to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department.
    (a‑5) If any mandated reporter has reason to believe that an eligible adult, who because of dysfunction is unable to seek assistance for himself or herself, has, within the previous 12 months, been subjected to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, the mandated reporter shall, within 24 hours after developing such belief, report this suspicion to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department. Whenever a mandated reporter is required to report under this Act in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, facility, board and care home, or agency, he or she shall make a report to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department in accordance with the provisions of this Act and may also notify the person in charge of the institution, facility, board and care home, or agency or his or her designated agent that the report has been made. Under no circumstances shall any person in charge of such institution, facility, board and care home, or agency, or his or her designated agent to whom the notification has been made, exercise any control, restraint, modification, or other change in the report or the forwarding of the report to an agency designated to receive such reports under this Act or to the Department. The privileged quality of communication between any professional person required to report and his or her patient or client shall not apply to situations involving abused, neglected, or financially exploited eligible adults and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this Act.
    (a‑7) A person making a report under this Act in the belief that it is in the alleged victim's best interest shall be immune from criminal or civil liability or professional disciplinary action on account of making the report, notwithstanding any requirements concerning the confidentiality of information with respect to such eligible adult which might otherwise be applicable.
    (a‑9) Law enforcement officers shall continue to report incidents of alleged abuse pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, notwithstanding any requirements under this Act.
    (b) Any person, institution or agency participating in the making of a report, providing information or records related to a report, assessment, or services, or participating in the investigation of a report under this Act in good faith, or taking photographs or x‑rays as a result of an authorized assessment, shall have immunity from any civil, criminal or other liability in any civil, criminal or other proceeding brought in consequence of making such report or assessment or on account of submitting or otherwise disclosing such photographs or x‑rays to any agency designated to receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect. Any person, institution or agency authorized by the Department to provide assessment, intervention, or administrative services under this Act shall, in the good faith performance of those services, have immunity from any civil, criminal or other liability in any civil, criminal, or other proceeding brought as a consequence of the performance of those services. For the purposes of any civil, criminal, or other proceeding, the good faith of any person required to report, permitted to report, or participating in an investigation of a report of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation shall be presumed.
    (c) The identity of a person making a report of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect under this Act may be disclosed by the Department or other agency provided for in this Act only with such person's written consent or by court order.
    (d) The Department shall by rule establish a system for filing and compiling reports made under this Act.
    (e) Any physician who willfully fails to report as required by this Act shall be referred to the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board for action in accordance with subdivision (A)(22) of Section 22 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Any dentist or dental hygienist who willfully fails to report as required by this Act shall be referred to the Department of Professional Regulation for action in accordance with paragraph 19 of Section 23 of the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Any other mandated reporter required by this Act to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation who willfully fails to report the same is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 93‑300, eff. 1‑1‑04; 93‑301, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

    (320 ILCS 20/4.1)
    Sec. 4.1. Employer discrimination. No employer shall discharge, demote or suspend, or threaten to discharge, demote or suspend, or in any manner discriminate against any employee who makes any good faith oral or written report of suspected elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or who is or will be a witness or testify in any investigation or proceeding concerning a report of suspected elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/4.2)
    Sec. 4.2. Testimony by mandated reporter and investigator. Any mandated reporter who makes a report or any person who investigates a report under this Act shall testify fully in any judicial proceeding resulting from such report, as to any evidence of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the cause thereof. Any mandated reporter who is required to report a suspected case of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under Section 4 of this Act shall testify fully in any administrative hearing resulting from such report, as to any evidence of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the cause thereof. No evidence shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the alleged abuser or the eligible adult subject of the report under this Act and the person making or investigating the report.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 6605)
    Sec. 5. Procedure.
    (a) A provider agency designated to receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under this Act shall, upon receiving such a report, conduct a face‑to‑face assessment with respect to such report. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, a visit to the residence of the eligible adult who is the subject of the report and may include interviews or consultations with service agencies or individuals who may have knowledge of the eligible adult's circumstances. If, after the assessment, the provider agency determines that the case is substantiated it shall develop a service care plan for the eligible adult. In developing the plan, the provider agency may consult with any other appropriate provider of services, and such providers shall be immune from civil or criminal liability on account of such acts. The plan shall include alternative suggested or recommended services which are appropriate to the needs of the eligible adult and which involve the least restriction of the eligible adult's activities commensurate with his or her needs. Only those services to which consent is provided in accordance with Section 9 of this Act shall be provided, contingent upon the availability of such services.
    (b) A provider agency shall refer evidence of crimes against an eligible adult to the appropriate law enforcement agency according to Department policies. A referral to law enforcement may be made at intake or any time during the case. Where a provider agency has reason to believe the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the agency shall immediately report the matter to the coroner or medical examiner and shall cooperate fully with any subsequent investigation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/6) (from Ch. 23, par. 6606)
    Sec. 6. Time. The Department shall by rule establish the period of time within which an assessment shall begin and within which a service care plan shall be implemented. Such rules shall provide for an expedited response to emergency situations.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1184.)

    (320 ILCS 20/7) (from Ch. 23, par. 6607)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑300)
    Sec. 7. Review. All services provided to an eligible adult shall be reviewed by the provider agency on at least a quarterly basis for up to one year to determine whether the service care plan should be continued or modified, except that the Department on Aging, upon review, may grant a waiver to extend the service care plan for up to an additional one year period.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99; 93‑300, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 93‑301)
    Sec. 7. Review. All services provided to an eligible adult shall be reviewed by the provider agency on at least a quarterly basis for up to one year to determine whether the service care plan should be continued or modified, except that, upon review, the Department may grant a waiver to extend the service care plan for up to one additional year.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99; 93‑301, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

    (320 ILCS 20/8) (from Ch. 23, par. 6608)
    Sec. 8. Access to records. All records concerning reports of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and all records generated as a result of such reports shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as specifically authorized by this Act or other applicable law. Access to such records, but not access to the identity of the person or persons making a report of alleged abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation as contained in such records, shall be allowed to the following persons and for the following persons:
    (1) Department staff, provider agency staff, other aging network staff, and regional administrative agency staff in the furtherance of their responsibilities under this Act;
    (2) A law enforcement agency investigating known or suspected elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Where a provider agency has reason to believe that the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the agency shall immediately provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with all records pertaining to the eligible adult;
    (3) A physician who has before him or her or who is involved in the treatment of an eligible adult whom he or she reasonably suspects may be abused, neglected, or financially exploited or who has been referred to the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program;
    (4) An eligible adult reported to be abused, neglected, or financially exploited, or such adult's guardian unless such guardian is the abuser or the alleged abuser;
    (5) A court or a guardian ad litem, upon its or his or her finding that access to such records may be necessary for the determination of an issue before the court. However, such access shall be limited to an in camera inspection of the records, unless the court determines that disclosure of the information contained therein is necessary for the resolution of an issue then pending before it;
    (6) A grand jury, upon its determination that access to such records is necessary in the conduct of its official business;
    (7) Any person authorized by the Director, in writing, for audit or bona fide research purposes;
    (8) A coroner or medical examiner who has reason to believe that an eligible adult has died as the result of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. The provider agency shall immediately provide the coroner or medical examiner with all records pertaining to the eligible adult; and
    (9) Department of Professional Regulation staff and members of the Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board in the course of investigating alleged violations of the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act by provider agency staff.
(Source: P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95; 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/9) (from Ch. 23, par. 6609)
    Sec. 9. Authority to consent to services.
    (a) If an eligible adult consents to services being provided according to the service care plan, such services shall be arranged to meet the adult's needs, based upon the availability of resources to provide such services. If an adult withdraws his or her consent or refuses to accept such services, the services shall not be provided.
    (b) If it reasonably appears to the Department or other agency designated under this Act that a person is an eligible adult and lacks the capacity to consent to necessary services, including an assessment, the Department or other agency may seek the appointment of a guardian as provided in Article XIa of the Probate Act of 1975 for the purpose of consenting to such services.
    (c) A guardian of the person of an eligible adult may consent to services being provided according to the service care plan. If a guardian withdraws his or her consent or refuses to allow services to be provided to the eligible adult, the Department, an agency designated under this Act, or the office of the Attorney General may request a court order seeking appropriate remedies, and may in addition request removal of the guardian and appointment of a successor guardian.
    (d) If an emergency exists and the Department or other agency designated under this Act reasonably believes that a person is an eligible adult and lacks the capacity to consent to necessary services, the Department or other agency may request an ex parte order from the circuit court of the county in which the petitioner or respondent resides or in which the alleged abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation occurred, authorizing an assessment of a report of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the provision of necessary services, or both, including relief available under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Petitions filed under this subsection shall be treated as expedited proceedings.
    (e) Within 15 days after the entry of the ex parte emergency order, the order shall expire, or, if the need for assessment or services continues, the provider agency shall petition for the appointment of a guardian as provided in Article XIa of the Probate Act of 1975 for the purpose of consenting to such assessment or services or to protect the eligible adult from further harm.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/9.5)
    Sec. 9.5. Commencement of action for ex parte authorization orders; filing fees; process.
    (a) Actions for ex parte authorization orders are commenced:
        (1) independently, by filing a petition for an ex
    
parte authorization order in the circuit court;
        (2) in conjunction with other civil proceedings, by
    
filing a petition for an ex parte authorization order under the same case number as a guardianship proceeding under the Probate Act of 1975 where the eligible adult is the alleged disabled adult.
    (b) No fee shall be charged by the clerk for filing petitions or certifying orders. No fee shall be charged by a sheriff for service by the sheriff of a petition, rule, motion, or order in an action commenced under this Section.
    (c) Any action for an ex parte authorization order commenced independently is a distinct cause of action and requires that a separate summons be issued and served. Service of summons is not required prior to entry of emergency ex parte authorization orders.
    (d) Summons may be served by a private person over 18 years of age and not a party to the action. The return by that private person shall be by affidavit. The summons may be served by a sheriff or other law enforcement officer, and if summons is placed for service by the sheriff, it shall be made at the earliest time practicable and shall take precedence over other summonses except those of a similar emergency nature.
(Source: P.A. 91‑731, eff. 6‑2‑00.)

    (320 ILCS 20/10) (from Ch. 23, par. 6610)
    Sec. 10. Rules. The Department shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to implement this Act.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1184.)

    (320 ILCS 20/11) (from Ch. 23, par. 6611)
    Sec. 11. Annual Reports. The Department shall file with the Governor and the General Assembly, within 270 days after the end of each fiscal year, a report concerning its implementation of this Act during such fiscal year, together with any recommendations for future implementation.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/12) (from Ch. 23, par. 6612)
    Sec. 12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 85‑1184. Repealed by P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/13)
    Sec. 13. Access.
    (a) The designated provider agencies shall have access to eligible adults who have been reported or found to be victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in order to assess the validity of the report, assess other needs of the eligible adult, and provide services in accordance with this Act.
    (b) Where access to an eligible adult is denied, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department, or the provider agency may petition the court for an order to require appropriate access where:
        (1) a caregiver or third party has interfered with
    
the assessment or service plan, or
        (2) the agency has reason to believe that the
    
eligible adult is denying access because of coercion, extortion, or justifiable fear of future abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
    (c) The petition for an order requiring appropriate access shall be afforded an expedited hearing in the circuit court.
    (d) If the elder abuse provider agency has substantiated financial exploitation against an eligible adult, and has documented a reasonable belief that the eligible adult will be irreparably harmed as a result of the financial exploitation, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department, or the provider agency may petition for an order freezing the assets of the eligible adult. The petition shall be filed in the county or counties in which the assets are located. The court's order shall prohibit the sale, gifting, transfer, or wasting of the assets of the eligible adult, both real and personal, owned by, or vested in, the eligible adult, without the express permission of the court. The petition to freeze the assets of the eligible adult shall be afforded an expedited hearing in the circuit court.
(Source: P.A. 90‑628, eff. 1‑1‑99.)

    (320 ILCS 20/13.5)
    Sec. 13.5. Commencement of action for access; filing fees; process; notice; duration of orders.
    (a) Actions for orders seeking access to an eligible adult or freezing assets of an eligible adult are commenced:
        (1) independently, by filing a petition for access
    
to an eligible adult or freezing the assets of an eligible adult in the circuit court;
        (2) in conjunction with other civil proceedings, by
    
filing a petition for access to an eligible adult or freezing the assets of an eligible adult under the same case number as another civil proceeding involving the parties, including, but not limited to:
            (i) a guardianship proceeding under the Probate
        
Act of 1975;
            (ii) a proceeding for involuntary commitment
        
under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code;
            (iii) any other proceeding, provided that the
        
eligible adult or the respondent is a party to or the subject of that proceeding.
    (b) No fee shall be charged by the clerk for filing petitions or certifying orders. No fee shall be charged by a sheriff for service by the sheriff of such a petition, rule, motion, or order in an action commenced under this Section.
    (c) Any action for an order for access to an eligible adult or freezing assets of an eligible adult, whether commenced independently or in conjunction with another proceeding, is a distinct cause of action and requires that a separate summons be issued and served, except that in pending cases the following methods may be used:
        (1) Delivery of the summons to respondent personally
    
in open court in pending civil or criminal cases.
        (2) Mailing to the defendant, or, if represented, to
    
the defendant's attorney of record in the civil cases in which the defendant has filed a general appearance. The summons shall be in the form prescribed by subsection (d) of Supreme Court Rule 101, except that it shall require the respondent to answer or appear within 7 days. Attachments to the summons or notice shall include the petition for access to an eligible adult or freezing assets of an eligible adult and supporting affidavits, if any, and any emergency order for access to an eligible adult or freezing assets of an eligible adult that has been issued.
    (d) Summons may be served by a private person over 18 years of age and not a party to the action. The return by that private person shall be by affidavit. The summons may be served by a sheriff or other law enforcement officer, and if summons is placed for service by the sheriff, it shall be made at the earliest time practicable and shall take precedence over other summonses except those of a similar emergency nature.
    (e) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, notice of hearings on petitions or motions shall be served in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12 unless notice is excused by the Code of Civil Procedure, Supreme Court Rules, or local rules, as now or hereafter amended.
    (f) Original notice of a hearing on a petition for access to an eligible adult or freezing assets of an eligible adult may be given, and the documents served, in accordance with Supreme Court Rules 11 and 12. When, however, an emergency order is sought in such a case on an ex parte application, the notice rules set forth in Section 11‑101 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply.
    (g) An order entered in accordance with Sections 13 and 13.5 shall be valid for a fixed period of time, not to exceed 2 years.
(Source: P.A. 91‑731, eff. 6‑2‑00.)

    (320 ILCS 20/14)
    Sec. 14. Volunteer corps. Qualified volunteers may be used for the purposes of increasing public awareness and providing companion‑type services, as prescribed by rule, to eligible adults. A qualified volunteer must undergo training as prescribed by the Department by rule and must adhere to all confidentiality requirements as required by law.
(Source: P.A. 94‑431, eff. 8‑2‑05.)

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