Parental rights

Parental rights. It is the policy of this State that a parent involved with the Illinois child welfare system has the following rights: (1) To be treated with dignity and respect and as a valued member of the child welfare team. (2) To be provided a copy of this Act at the time of case opening or the parent's first contact with the Department of Children and Family Services. (3) To be consulted about relative placement options for the child if placement becomes necessary. (4) As it relates to a non-custodial parent, to be assessed and considered for custody of the child prior to the Department of Children and Family Services taking protective custody. (5) To not have financial means considered as a basis for removal or reunification with the child. (6) To be encouraged to participate in the development and amendment of the parent's service plan. (7) To request amendments to the parent's service plan. (8) Subject to and in accordance with State law, all rules and procedures of the Department of Children and Family Services, and all applicable court orders: (A) To receive timely visits with the child. (B) To have all canceled or postponed parent-child visits rescheduled in a timely manner. (C) To have parent-child visits conducted in a comfortable family-like setting. (D) To be notified of and invited to attend all of the child's medical appointments and school meetings. (E) To be permitted to communicate with the child's substitute caregiver for purposes of helping the caregiver understand the child's needs and to promote shared parenting, when feasible. (9) To request a child and family team meeting. (10) To be provided with the caseworker's supervisor's contact information. (11) To have all child welfare business-related calls, emails, and texts responded to in a timely and professional manner. (12) To have all meetings scheduled at times and places that allow the parent to participate. (13) To be provided transportation assistance when necessary to attend meetings and parent-child visits. (14) To be consulted in the development of the hair care plan for the child, if not contrary to the child's wishes. (15) To be free of retaliation when asserting a right within this Act. (Source: P.A. 104-254, eff. 8-15-25.)