(a) The guardian of a person with a disability may appoint in writing, without court approval, a short-term guardian of the person with a disability to take over the guardian’s duties, to the extent provided in Section 11a-18.3, each time the guardian is unavailable or unable to carry out those duties. The guardian shall consult with the person with a disability to determine the preference of the person with a disability concerning the person to be appointed as short-term guardian and the guardian shall give due consideration to the preference of the person with a disability in choosing a short-term guardian. The written instrument appointing a short-term guardian shall be dated and shall identify the appointing guardian, the person with a disability, the person appointed to be the short-term guardian, and the termination date of the appointment. The written instrument shall be signed by, or at the direction of, the appointing guardian in the presence of at least 2 credible witnesses at least 18 years of age, neither of whom is the person appointed as the short-term guardian. The person appointed as the short-term guardian shall also sign the written instrument, but need not sign at the same time as the appointing guardian. A guardian may not appoint the Office of State Guardian or a public guardian as a short-term guardian, without the written consent of the State Guardian or public guardian or an authorized representative of the State Guardian or public guardian.
     (b) The appointment of the short-term guardian is effective immediately upon the date the written instrument is executed, unless the written instrument provides for the appointment to become effective upon a later specified date or event. A short-term guardian appointed by the guardian shall have authority to act as guardian of the person with a disability for a cumulative total of 60 days during any 12-month period. Only one written instrument appointing a short-term guardian may be in force at any given time.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 755 ILCS 5/11a-3.2

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Month: means a calendar month, and the word "year" a calendar year unless otherwise expressed; and the word "year" alone, is equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.10
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

     (c) Every appointment of a short-term guardian may be amended or revoked by the appointing guardian at any time and in any manner communicated to the short-term guardian or to any other person. Any person other than the short-term guardian to whom a revocation or amendment is communicated or delivered shall make all reasonable efforts to inform the short-term guardian of that fact as promptly as possible.
     (d) The appointment of a short-term guardian or successor short-term guardian does not affect the rights in the person with a disability of any guardian other than the appointing guardian.
     (e) The written instrument appointing a short-term guardian may, but need not, be in the following form:
 

APPOINTMENT OF SHORT-TERM GUARDIAN
[IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

        By properly completing this form, a guardian is

    
appointing a short-term guardian of the person with a disability for a cumulative total of up to 60 days during any 12-month period. A separate form shall be completed each time a short-term guardian takes over guardianship duties. The person or persons appointed as the short-term guardian shall sign the form, but need not do so at the same time as the guardian.]
        1. Guardian and Ward. I, (insert name of appointing
    
guardian), currently residing at (insert address of appointing guardian), am the guardian of the following person with a disability: (insert name of ward).
        2. Short-term Guardian. I hereby appoint the
    
following person as the short-term guardian for my ward: (insert name and address of appointed person).
        3. Effective date. This appointment becomes
    
effective: (check one if you wish it to be applicable)
        ( ) On the date that I state in writing that I am no
    
longer either willing or able to make and carry out day-to-day care decisions concerning my ward.
        ( ) On the date that a physician familiar with my
    
condition certifies in writing that I am no longer willing or able to make and carry out day-to-day care decisions concerning my ward.
        ( ) On the date that I am admitted as an in-patient
    
to a hospital or other health care institution.
        ( ) On the following date: (insert date).
         ( ) Other: (insert other).
         [NOTE: If this item is not completed, the
    
appointment is effective immediately upon the date the form is signed and dated below.]
        4. Termination. This appointment shall terminate on:
    
(enter a date corresponding to 60 days from the current date, less the number of days within the past 12 months that any short-term guardian has taken over guardianship duties), unless it terminates sooner as determined by the event or date I have indicated below: (check one if you wish it to be applicable)
        ( ) On the date that I state in writing that I am
    
willing and able to make and carry out day-to-day care decisions concerning my ward.
        ( ) On the date that a physician familiar with my
    
condition certifies in writing that I am willing and able to make and carry out day-to-day care decisions concerning my ward.
        ( ) On the date that I am discharged from the
    
hospital or other health care institution where I was admitted as an in-patient, which established the effective date.
        ( ) On the date which is (state a number of days)
    
days after the effective date.
        ( ) Other: (insert other).
         [NOTE: If this item is not completed, the
    
appointment will be effective until the 60th day within the past year during which time any short-term guardian of this ward had taken over guardianship duties from the guardian, beginning on the effective date.]
        5. Date and signature of appointing guardian. This
    
appointment is made this (insert day) day of (insert month and year).
        Signed: (appointing guardian)
         6. Witnesses. I saw the guardian sign this
    
instrument or I saw the guardian direct someone to sign this instrument for the guardian. Then I signed this instrument as a witness in the presence of the guardian. I am not appointed in this instrument to act as the short-term guardian for the guardian’s ward. (insert space for names, addresses, and signatures of 2 witnesses)
        7. Acceptance of short-term guardian. I accept this
    
appointment as short-term guardian on this (insert day) day of (insert month and year).
        Signed: (short-term guardian)

[END OF FORM]

    (f) Each time the guardian appoints a short-term guardian, the guardian shall: (i) provide the person with a disability with the name, address, and telephone number of the short-term guardian; (ii) advise the person with a disability that he has the right to object to the appointment of the short-term guardian by filing a petition in court; and (iii) notify the person with a disability when the short-term guardian will be taking over guardianship duties and the length of time that the short-term guardian will be acting as guardian.

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