ILCS » Chapter 750 · Act 50
Illinois Compiled Statutes

750 ILCS 50/20a (2026)

Construction of Act

✓ current as of May 2026
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(750 ILCS 50/20a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1525)
    Sec. 20a. Construction of Act. The best interests and welfare of the person to be adopted shall be of paramount consideration in the construction and interpretation of this Act. It is in the best interests of persons to be adopted that this Act be construed and interpreted so as not to result in extending time limits beyond those set forth herein.
(Source: P.A. 88-550, eff. 7-3-94.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 42 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1993–2025 · leading case: In Re Petition of Doe, 627 N.E.2d 648 (Ill. App. Ct. 1993).
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In Re Petition of Doe, 627 N.E.2d 648 (Ill. App. Ct. 1993). · cites it 4× “750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1992). Attempting to resolve what is the best interest of an infant is obviously a wrenching ordeal.”
In Re Petition of Doe, 638 N.E.2d 181 (Ill. 1994). · cites it 2× “Notwithstanding this statement of policy, the Adoption Act nevertheless specifically requires that a parent who does not consent to adoption must be found unfit before parental rights may be terminated.”
In Re Rc, 745 N.E.2d 1233 (Ill. 2001). “" 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1998). The Juvenile Court Act is more specific in this regard; the purpose of that enactment is to "secure for each minor subject hereto such care and guidance, preferably in his or her own home, as will serve the safety and moral, emotional, mental, and…”
Matter of Kjr, 687 N.E.2d 113 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997). · cites it 3× “750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1994). With respect to the parental rights of putative fathers, the statute protects those putative fathers who have taken certain specified actions to preserve their rights.”
In re K.M., 653 N.E.2d 888 (Ill. App. Ct. 1995). · cites it 2× “” (750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1994).) Elsewhere, the Act states that "[t]he welfare of the child shall be the prime consideration in all adoption proceedings.”
People v. Lashawn F., 802 N.E.2d 800 (Ill. 2003). · cites it 2× “” 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 2000). In light of these clear statements of legislative policy and purpose, it is difficult to conclude, as respondent would have us do, that the legislature intended to remove the nine-month period for assessing a parent’s reasonable efforts to correct…”
In Re Davonte L., 699 N.E.2d 1062 (Ill. App. Ct. 1998). · cites it 2× “" 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1992). Section 20a of the Act was amended in 1994 to further provide the following: "It is in the best interests of persons to be adopted that this Act be construed and interpreted so as not to result in extending time limits beyond those set forth herein.”
Petition of KM, 653 N.E.2d 888 (Ill. App. Ct. 1995). · cites it 2× “" (750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1994).) Elsewhere, the Act states that "[t]he welfare of the child shall be the prime consideration in all adoption proceedings.”
In Re Dl, 727 N.E.2d 990 (Ill. 2000). “" 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1994). We believe that construing section 1(D)(m) in the manner proposed by Tawanda and the State would be inconsistent with the preceding provision.”
In re J.W., 2024 IL App (1st) 231918 (Ill. App. Ct. 2024). “” 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 2020). The majority concluded that the legislature did not intend an “open-ended, and essentially unlimited period of time.”
R.W. v. D.C., 745 N.E.2d 1233 (Ill. 2001). “” 750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1998). The Juvenile Court Act is more specific in this regard; the purpose of that enactment is to “secure for each minor subject hereto such care and guidance, preferably in his or her own home, as will serve the safety and moral, emotional, mental, and…”
In Re Petition to Adopt O.J.M., 687 N.E.2d 113 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997). · cites it 3× “750 ILCS 50/20a (West 1994). With respect to the parental rights of putative fathers, the statute protects those putative fathers who have taken certain specified actions to preserve their rights.”
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