Illinois Compiled Statutes

705 ILCS 405/2-29 (2026)

Adoption; appointment of guardian with power to consent

✓ current as of May 2026
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(705 ILCS 405/2-29) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-29)
    Sec. 2-29. Adoption; appointment of guardian with power to consent.
    (1) With leave of the court, a minor who is the subject of an abuse, neglect, or dependency petition under this Act may be the subject of a petition for adoption under the Adoption Act.
    (1.1) The parent or parents of a child in whose interest a petition under Section 2-13 of this Act is pending may, in the manner required by the Adoption Act, (a) surrender the child for adoption to an agency legally authorized or licensed to place children for adoption, (b) consent to the child's adoption, or (c) consent to the child's adoption by a specified person or persons. Nothing in this Section requires that the parent or parents execute the surrender, consent, or consent to adoption by a specified person in open court.
    (2) If a petition or motion alleges and the court finds that it is in the best interest of the minor that parental rights be terminated and the petition or motion requests that a guardian of the person be appointed and authorized to consent to the adoption of the minor, the court, with the consent of the parents, if living, or after finding, based upon clear and convincing evidence, that a parent is an unfit person as defined in Section 1 of the Adoption Act, may terminate parental rights and empower the guardian of the person of the minor, in the order appointing the guardian of the person of the minor as such guardian, to appear in court where any proceedings for the adoption of the minor may at any time be pending and to consent to the adoption. Such consent is sufficient to authorize the court in the adoption proceedings to enter a proper order or judgment of adoption without further notice to, or consent by, the parents of the minor. An order so empowering the guardian to consent to adoption deprives the parents of the minor of all legal rights as respects the minor and relieves them of all parental responsibility for the minor, and frees the minor from all obligations of maintenance and obedience to the minor's natural parents.
    If the minor is over 14 years of age, the court may, in its discretion, consider the wishes of the minor in determining whether the best interests of the minor would be promoted by the finding of the unfitness of a non-consenting parent.
    (2.1) Notice to a parent who has appeared or been served with summons personally or by certified mail, and for whom an order of default has been entered on the petition for wardship and has not been set aside shall be provided in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 11. Notice to a parent who was served by publication and for whom an order of default has been entered on the petition for wardship and has not been set aside shall be provided in accordance with Sections 2-15 and 2-16.
    (3) Parental consent to the order terminating parental rights and authorizing the guardian of the person to consent to adoption of the minor must be in writing and signed in the form provided in the Adoption Act, but no names of petitioners for adoption need be included.
    (4) A finding of the unfitness of a parent must be made in compliance with the Adoption Act, without regard to the likelihood that the child will be placed for adoption, and be based upon clear and convincing evidence. Provisions of the Adoption Act relating to minor parents and to mentally ill or mentally deficient parents apply to proceedings under this Section and any findings with respect to such parents shall be based upon clear and convincing evidence.
(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 528 cases (338 in the last 5 years), 1993–2026 · leading case: People v. Morgan, 2025 IL 130626 (Ill. 2025).
People v. Morgan, 2025 IL 130626 (Ill. 2025). · cites it 3× “at 365; 705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 2022); 750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2022)), and (2) if so, whether the State established by a preponderance of the evidence that termination of the parent’s fundamental right is in the minor’s best interest (D.”
Tekela v. Cooper, 780 N.E.2d 304 (Ill. 2002). · cites it 7× “Section 2-29 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 1998)) specifically authorizes the appointment of a guardian to consent to adoption once a termination order is issued.”
In re Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017). · cites it 4× “705 ILCS 405/2-29(1.1), (2) (West 2014). The circuit court first determines if the parent is an “unfit person” pursuant to one or more grounds set out in the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2014)).”
In Re Gwynne P., 830 N.E.2d 508 (Ill. 2005). · cites it 3× “Following that hearing, the court entered an *514 order once again setting the appropriate permanency goal for Gwynne as substitute care pending court termination of parental rights.”
Illinois Dep't of Healthcare & Fam. Servs. v. Warner, 882 N.E.2d 557 (Ill. 2008). · cites it 6× “Finally, we note respondent's reference, in his appellee brief, to section 2-29(2) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2004)). This provision was not raised by respondent in either the circuit court or the appellate court as the basis for his claim that…”
In re P.S., 2021 IL App (5th) 210027 (Ill. App. Ct. 2021). · cites it 3× “705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2020). First, the State must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the parent is an unfit person as defined by the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2020)).”
In re Shauntae P., 2012 IL App (1st) 112280 (Ill. App. Ct. 2012). · cites it 7× “In relevant part, the termination petitions alleged that Keisha was unfit in that she had failed to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to her children’s welfare (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(b) (West 2008); 705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 2008)), and that she had…”
In re Haley D., 2011 IL 110886 (Ill. 2011). · cites it 3× “Such proceedings are governed by section 2-29 of the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 2008)). Petitions brought under section 2-29 must contain an allegation that the parent is an “unfit person” as defined by section 1(D) of the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West…”
In re J.H., 2020 IL App (4th) 200150 (Ill. App. Ct. 2020). · cites it 2× “The Findings That Respondents Were “Unfit Persons” ¶ 67 There are two steps to the involuntary termination of parental rights. First, the State must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the parent is an “unfit person” as defined in section 1(D) of the Adoption Act (750…”
In re Z.J., 2020 IL App (2d) 190824 (Ill. App. Ct. 2021). · cites it 2× “and the foster mother spoke every day, which was “far more communication than goes on with [respondent] who continues to live and be married to [Daniel] who Z.J. does express fear [of].” On September 19, 2019, respondent filed a notice of appeal.”
In re B'Yata I., 2014 IL App (2d) 130558-B (Ill. App. Ct. 2014). · cites it 3× “705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2012). Initially, the State must prove that the parent is unfit.”
In re M.I., 2016 IL 120232 (Ill. 2016). · cites it 3× “705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2014). “First, the court must find, by ‘clear and convincing evidence, that a parent is an unfit person as defined in Section 1 of the Adoption Act.”
— 705 ILCS 405/2-29(1) — 5 cases
Matter of Kjr, 687 N.E.2d 113 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997).
In re Jacari L., 2024 IL App (5th) 230745-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2024).
In re A.C., 2024 IL App (4th) 240898-U (Ill. App. Ct. 2024).
In re Jacob K. (Ill. App. Ct. 2003).
In Re Jacob K., 792 N.E.2d 477 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003).
— 705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) — 455 cases
People v. Morgan, 2025 IL 130626 (Ill. 2025). “at 365; 705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 2022); 750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2022)), and (2) if so, whether the State established by a preponderance of the evidence that termination of the parent’s fundamental right is in the minor’s best interest (D.”
Illinois Dep't of Healthcare & Fam. Servs. v. Warner, 882 N.E.2d 557 (Ill. 2008). “Finally, we note respondent's reference, in his appellee brief, to section 2-29(2) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2004)). This provision was not raised by respondent in either the circuit court or the appellate court as the basis for his claim that…”
In re P.S., 2021 IL App (5th) 210027 (Ill. App. Ct. 2021). “705 ILCS 405/2-29(2) (West 2020). First, the State must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the parent is an unfit person as defined by the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2020)).”
Tekela v. Cooper, 780 N.E.2d 304 (Ill. 2002). “Section 2-29 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405/2-29 (West 1998)) specifically authorizes the appointment of a guardian to consent to adoption once a termination order is issued.”
In re J.H., 2020 IL App (4th) 200150 (Ill. App. Ct. 2020). “The Findings That Respondents Were “Unfit Persons” ¶ 67 There are two steps to the involuntary termination of parental rights. First, the State must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the parent is an “unfit person” as defined in section 1(D) of the Adoption Act (750…”
— 705 ILCS 405/2-29(4) — 12 cases
In re Tyianna J., 2017 IL App (1st) 162306 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017). “705 ILCS 405/2-29(1.1), (2) (West 2014). The circuit court first determines if the parent is an “unfit person” pursuant to one or more grounds set out in the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/1(D) (West 2014)).”
In re Faith S., 2019 IL App (1st) 182290 (Ill. App. Ct. 2019).
In re D.T., 2017 IL App (3d) 170120 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017).
In re D.T., 2017 IL App (3d) 170120 (Ill. App. Ct. 2017).
In Re Dc, 807 N.E.2d 472 (Ill. 2004).
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