Title: In re Rita P.
Citation: 2014 IL 115798
Docket Number: 115798
State: Illinois
Issuer: Illinois Supreme Court
Date: May 22, 2014

Illinois Official Reports 
 
Supreme Court 
 
 
In re Rita P., 2014 IL 115798 
 
 
 
Caption in Supreme 
Court: 
 
In re RITA P. (The People of the State of Illinois, Appellant, v. Rita 
P., Appellee). 
 
 
 
Docket No. 
 
115798 
 
 
 
Filed 
 
 
May 22, 2014 
 
 
 
Held 
(Note: 
This 
syllabus 
constitutes no part of the 
opinion of the court but 
has been prepared by the 
Reporter of Decisions 
for the convenience of 
the reader.) 
 
 
The Mental Health Code provision for findings of fact on the record in 
granting a 90-day involuntary medication order is directory rather than 
mandatory, and a circuit court’s expression only of its legal conclusion 
that the evidence was overwhelming did not call for reversal where 
there were no claims of evidentiary insufficiency or compromised due 
process—mootness exception. 
 
 
 
 
Decision Under  
Review 
 
Appeal from the Appellate Court for the First District; heard in that 
court on appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Hon. Paul 
A. Karkula, Judge, presiding. 
 
 
 
 
Judgment 
 
Appellate court judgment reversed. 
Circuit court judgment affirmed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Counsel on 
Appeal 
Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Springfield, and Anita Alvarez, 
State’s Attorney, of Chicago (Alan J. Spellberg, Assistant State’s 
Attorney, of counsel), for the People. 
 
Ann Krasuski, Veronique Baker and Laurel Spahn, of the Legal 
Advocacy Service of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, of 
Hines, for appellee. 
 
Mark J. Heyrman, of Chicago, for amicus curiae Mental Health 
America of Illinois. 
 
 
Justices 
 
JUSTICE THEIS delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. 
Chief Justice Garman and Justices Freeman, Thomas, Kilbride, 
Karmeier, and Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion. 
 
 
 
OPINION 
 
¶ 1 
 
On September 2, 2011, the Cook County circuit court entered an order authorizing the 
involuntary treatment of respondent, Rita P., with psychotropic medication. On appeal, 
respondent argued that the treatment order must be reversed because the trial court failed to 
comply with section 3-816(a) of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code 
(Mental Health Code) (405 ILCS 5/3-816(a) (West 2010)), providing that final orders “shall be 
accompanied by a statement on the record of the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of 
law.” The appellate court agreed with respondent and reversed the treatment order. 2013 IL 
App (1st) 112837. 
¶ 2 
 
For the reasons that follow, we reverse the judgment of the appellate court and affirm the 
judgment of the trial court. 
 
¶ 3 
 
 
 
 
BACKGROUND 
¶ 4 
 
On August 18, 2011, Dr. He Yuan, a psychiatrist at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center 
(Chicago-Read), filed a petition seeking a court order authorizing involuntary treatment of 
respondent. In the petition, Dr. Yuan described, inter alia, respondent’s symptoms, the 
deterioration in her ability to function, the behaviors in which she engaged that were dangerous 
to herself and others, and the therapies that had been tried without success. Dr. Yuan stated that 
respondent met the criteria for a diagnosis of “schizophrenia paranoid type,” and requested 
authorization to administer specific medications, including Risperidone, for a period of up to 
90 days. 
¶ 5 
 
A hearing on the petition was held on September 2, 2011. The State called two witnesses: 
respondent’s son, Mayjourio, and Dr. Yuan. Mayjourio testified that he was 24 years old and 
 
 
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had lived with respondent in her Evanston home for the past six to seven years. In January 
2008, respondent was operating a daycare business in her home. At that time, Mayjourio 
noticed that respondent was very agitated and angry, and spoke about harming the people that 
had wronged her. For two months she spoke about “going out there and getting herself some 
street justice.” In March 2009, Mayjourio observed that respondent had begun talking to 
herself. She would go into the bedroom or the laundry room, close the door, and have a 
one-sided conversation. “[S]he would talk, and then she would be quiet, and then she would 
talk some more, and then be quiet. It was as if she was talking, listening, talking, listening.” 
Mayjourio further testified that at the same time respondent began talking to herself, her sleep 
habits changed. Respondent, who had been a heavy sleeper, was now up in the middle of the 
night talking to herself in her bedroom. 
¶ 6 
 
In December 2009, respondent began manifesting different personalities. Mayjourio 
explained that the silences in respondent’s one-sided conversations were now filled with other 
voices, both male and female. Shortly after the appearance of these additional voices, 
respondent, without explanation, stopped attending choir practice at her church. According to 
Mayjourio, respondent was a religious woman who attended the Apostolic Church of God on 
the south side of Chicago. Mayjourio testified that in February 2010, respondent told him that, 
although no church members had been physically in her home, they were present spiritually, 
and had “spiritually raped” her. 
¶ 7 
 
Mayjourio described an incident in September 2010, in which respondent had “one of her 
moments,” i.e., a “conversation between her[self] and several of her voices,” and left a pot of 
water on the stove too long, causing the pot to be blackened. Mayjourio testified that these 
conversations were time-consuming and took her attention away from other matters. Because 
respondent was still operating her daycare business, Mayjourio and his sister made sure that 
one of them was always present so that none of the children were hurt if respondent had one of 
her “moments.” 
¶ 8 
 
Mayjourio also described three incidents, the first of which occurred in September 2010, in 
which he found respondent with her hands around her own neck choking herself. Respondent 
denied that she choked herself, telling Mayjourio that it was “the church” or “the voices.” In 
October 2010, respondent told Mayjourio that she was going to get a gun and kill the members 
of the church who attacked her. Respondent attempted to get a gun license, and asked 
Mayjourio to take her to a gun range to practice. Mayjourio testified that during this period, as 
he had for the past two years, he talked to respondent about seeing a doctor. Every time he 
brought up the subject, he was met with anger and opposition. 
¶ 9 
 
Mayjourio additionally testified regarding an incident in February 2011, in which he came 
home and discovered an open container of gasoline in the living room. Respondent was still 
operating her home daycare business at this time. Respondent initially told Mayjourio that she 
was using the gasoline as a cleaner, but later told him that she was doing experiments. 
Mayjourio moved the gasoline to the garage, but the following month he found the open 
gasoline container in the basement, along with turpentine and lighter fluid. Respondent again 
stated that she was doing experiments. 
¶ 10 
 
Mayjourio testified that respondent’s condition worsened in the following months: 
 
 
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“She [would] be up at night outside in the front yard, outside in the back yard 
having screaming matches with the lamp post, and the ground, and the air. 
 
And all the while all the voices are manifesting themselves. She will be in the room 
screaming, yelling. You will be woke[n] up at 2:00 in the morning to her having one of 
her fits with herself. 
 
*** [B]efore the voices wouldn’t confront you, but now the voices confront you. 
 
 
* * * 
 
If you look at her and say, ‘Mom, what’s going on,’ Rita doesn’t reply. One of the 
voices replies, ‘My name ain’t Rita.’ ” 
¶ 11 
 
Mayjourio lastly testified regarding the incident immediately preceding respondent’s 
hospitalization. Mayjourio came home from work and found respondent lying in her bed, 
staring at the ceiling. Mayjourio attempted to rouse her, but she was nonresponsive. After ten 
minutes, respondent, in a man’s voice, told Mayjourio, “This ain’t Rita. *** Rita dead. Rita 
going to be dead by tomorrow morning if Rita ain’t dead now. This is the church. Rita dead.” 
Mayjourio attempted to remove respondent from the bedroom to take her to the hospital, but 
she resisted, swinging her arms, pulling Mayjourio’s hair, and kicking his glasses off of his 
face, still speaking in a man’s voice. Mayjourio called 911. When the police arrived, they tried 
to speak to respondent. She answered in a man’s voice, again stating that Rita is dead. The 
officers, with the help of three EMTs, were able to get respondent onto a gurney and into the 
ambulance for transport to the hospital. Mayjourio testified that four knives were found in her 
bedroom. Although acknowledging that respondent ate her meals in her bedroom and that she 
would have brought utensils with her, Mayjourio testified that the utensils would not have 
included “big knives” like the ones found in her bedroom. 
¶ 12 
 
Dr. Yuan testified that he first saw respondent on August 5, 2011 at Chicago-Read, and had 
seen her almost daily thereafter. He opined that respondent has a mental 
illness—schizophrenia paranoid type—in which she has significant delusions regarding 
church people embodied spiritually and physically inside her. Respondent admitted to Dr. 
Yuan that she tried to choke herself to kill the people inside her. As of the day before the 
hearing, respondent still believed she was embodied by church members, but she had not tried 
to choke herself in the hospital. Dr. Yuan further testified that respondent’s functioning had 
deteriorated due to her preoccupation with the delusions, and that the delusions could be 
dangerous because respondent may act on them. Respondent, however, had not threatened 
anyone at Chicago-Read, and no cause existed to place her in restraints or administer 
emergency medication. Although generally cooperative, respondent refused to attend group 
therapy, and could not be convinced to take medication. Dr. Yuan deemed group therapy 
without medication to be inappropriate at this point. 
¶ 13 
 
Dr. Yuan additionally testified regarding the primary medications he sought to administer, 
potential side effects, dosing, and the tests necessary for safe administration of the medication. 
Dr. Yuan opined that respondent lacked the capacity to make a reasoned decision about the 
treatment, and that the benefits of the treatment outweighed the harm. 
 
 
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¶ 14 
 
At one point during Dr. Yuan’s testimony, a short recess was taken after an interruption by 
respondent. The court noted on the record that “[r]espondent was speaking in a voice that was 
much deeper than her voice that she spoke in her earlier interruptions to the Court.”  
¶ 15 
 
Respondent testified on her own behalf. At the time of the hearing, she was 51 years old 
and for the last 15 years had operated a daycare center in her home. Due to the economy and a 
loss of clientele, respondent closed her business in April 2011 and filed for bankruptcy. She 
sought general assistance through Evanston Township, became a member of Illinois WorkNet, 
and joined several community boards. The Community Economic Development Board 
nominated her as its treasurer in 2011. 
¶ 16 
 
Respondent also testified that she had problems with her memory, so she initiated a 
sequence of events that, in January 2011, led her to Dr. Singleton, a neurologist at Stroger 
Hospital. Respondent last saw Dr. Singleton in July 2011, and testified that she would like to 
be under his care. 
¶ 17 
 
Respondent further testified that beginning in October 2010, she had filed nine reports 
against 125 members of her church with the Illinois Attorney General, the Chicago police 
department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Evanston police department. In the 
reports she alleged assault, harassment, and stalking by church members. 
¶ 18 
 
When questioned about the gun she had tried to obtain, respondent explained that she had 
initiated, but had not completed, the process of obtaining firearm training and a gun license. 
Respondent testified that she was aware that it is illegal in this state to have a gun on the street. 
Her intention was to have a gun in her home, securely locked away. She “wasn’t thinking of 
taking matters into her own hands.” 
¶ 19 
 
With respect to the gasoline and turpentine that Mayjourio testified he found in her home, 
respondent explained that the driveway had been resurfaced and a technician from Home 
Depot told her that the tar-based material could only be cleaned off of utensils with gasoline, 
which is what she used. 
¶ 20 
 
As to the incident immediately preceding her hospitalization, respondent testified: “They 
[the voices] told him [Mayjourio] that they killed me.” Respondent also indicated that she hit 
Mayjourio that day because he hurt her when he restrained her. 
¶ 21 
 
Respondent further testified that she had never been hospitalized at a mental health facility, 
and had never taken any of the medications Dr. Yuan sought to administer. According to 
respondent, Dr. Yuan had seen her only three or four times during the month preceding the 
hearing. On cross-examination, when asked whether the church members had spiritually raped 
her, respondent answered: “Exactly.” 
¶ 22 
 
After closing arguments, the trial court granted the petition for involuntary medication of 
respondent. The court stated: “The testimony is overwhelming[ly] in support of the State’s 
petition. All three witnesses and all the observations of the Court made in open court today so 
I am going to grant the petition.” 
¶ 23 
 
The trial court’s written order tracked section 2-107.1(a-5)(4) of the Mental Health Code, 
which sets forth several factors that must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. See 405 
ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(4) (West 2010). The written order stated, inter alia, that respondent has a 
 
 
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serious mental illness/developmental disability; respondent exhibits deterioration in her ability 
to function, suffering, or threatening or disruptive behavior; respondent has refused to submit 
to treatment by psychotropic medication; the benefits of the treatment outweigh the harm; 
respondent lacks the capacity to make a reasoned decision about the treatment; and other less 
restrictive services were explored and found inappropriate. The written order also detailed the 
primary and alternative medications and dosages, the tests necessary to safely and effectively 
administer the treatment, and the maximum treatment period of 90 days. 
¶ 24 
 
Respondent did not ask the trial court to make specific findings of fact on the record, and 
did not seek clarification of the trial court’s oral or written ruling. Respondent, however, did 
file a notice of appeal, seeking reversal of the trial court’s treatment order. Respondent argued 
that section 3-816(a) is a mandatory provision, and that the trial court’s failure to strictly 
follow this provision, by making findings of fact on the record, rendered its order erroneous 
and of no effect. Respondent conceded that her appeal was rendered moot by the expiration of 
the 90-day treatment period, but argued that the case fell within all three recognized exceptions 
to the mootness doctrine: the collateral consequences exception, the public interest exception, 
and the capable-of-repetition-yet-avoiding-review exception. The State disputed that review 
was appropriate under any exception to the mootness doctrine, but argued that even if review 
was proper, section 3-816(a) was merely directory, not mandatory, and thus noncompliance 
did not require reversal of the trial court’s order. 
¶ 25 
 
The appellate court reviewed the case under the collateral consequences exception to the 
mootness doctrine, and agreed with respondent that because section 3-816(a) is a mandatory 
provision, the appropriate remedy for noncompliance is reversal. 2013 IL App (1st) 112837, 
¶¶ 10-11, 18-22. 
¶ 26 
 
We allowed the State’s petition for leave to appeal (Ill. S. Ct. R. 315(a) (eff. July 1, 2013)), 
and allowed Mental Health America of Illinois to file an amicus curiae brief in support of 
respondent (Ill. S. Ct. R. 345 (eff. Sept. 20, 2010)). 
 
¶ 27 
 
 
 
 
ANALYSIS 
¶ 28 
 
 
 
 
I. Mootness 
¶ 29 
 
No dispute exists that respondent’s appeal to the appellate court was rendered moot by the 
expiration of the 90-day treatment period. See In re Robert S., 213 Ill. 2d 30, 45 (2004). The 
appellate court, however, noted that respondent had not been previously subject to involuntary 
treatment, and that the collateral consequences exception to the mootness doctrine “applies to a 
first involuntary-treatment order.” 2013 IL App (1st) 112837, ¶ 10 (citing In re Linda K., 407 
Ill. App. 3d 1146, 1150 (2011)). 
¶ 30 
 
The State argues that, contrary to the appellate court’s opinion, no per se exception to the 
mootness doctrine applies to first involuntary treatment orders, or mental health cases 
generally, and that the appellate court should have dismissed respondent’s appeal as moot. The 
State requests that we vacate the appellate court’s judgment. See In re Commitment of 
Hernandez, 239 Ill. 2d 195, 205 (2010) (vacating appellate court judgment where the appeal 
 
 
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before that court was moot). Whether the appellate court’s mootness determination is correct is 
an issue of law which we review de novo. In re Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d 345, 350 (2009). 
¶ 31 
 
In Alfred H.H., we held that the collateral consequences exception to the mootness doctrine 
is applicable in mental health cases. Id. at 362. Under this exception, where collateral 
consequences survive the expiration or cessation of a court order that are likely to be redressed 
by a favorable judicial determination, appellate review is permissible. Id. at 361. Although we 
recognized that reversal of a mental health admission or treatment order could provide a “host 
of potential legal benefits,” we concluded that application of the collateral consequences 
exception “is still decided on a case-by-case basis.” Id. at 362. When we considered the facts of 
the specific case before us, in which the respondent challenged an involuntary commitment 
order, we determined that no collateral consequences existed that would warrant application of 
this mootness exception. We explained: 
“[R]espondent has had multiple involuntary commitments prior to the present case. In 
addition, respondent is a felon who has served a sentence for murder. Simply stated, 
there is no collateral consequence that can be identified that could stem solely from the 
present adjudication. Every collateral consequence that can be identified already 
existed as a result of respondent’s previous adjudications and felony conviction.” Id. at 
363. 
¶ 32 
 
In Alfred H.H. we also rejected the respondent’s invitation to adopt a new exception to the 
mootness doctrine applicable to all civil commitment proceedings. Id. We stressed that “the 
evaluation of the established mootness exceptions must be conducted on a case-by-case basis,” 
and that “[t]his evaluation must consider all the applicable exceptions in light of the relevant 
facts and legal claims raised in the appeal.” Id. at 364. 
¶ 33 
 
Despite our clear statements in Alfred H.H. that application of the collateral consequences 
exception is decided on a case-by-case basis, even in cases arising under the Mental Health 
Code, some appellate court opinions have adopted the view that a first involuntary admission 
order or, as in this case, a first involuntary treatment order, is automatically reviewable under 
the collateral consequences exception. E.g., Linda K., 407 Ill. App. 3d at 1150 
(“ ‘collateral-consequences exception applies to a first involuntary-treatment order’ ” (quoting 
In re Joseph P., 406 Ill. App. 3d 341, 346 (2010))); In re Wendy T., 406 Ill. App. 3d 185, 189 
(2010) (applying collateral consequences exception where the “record does not indicate that 
respondent has ever before been subject to an order for the involuntary administration of 
medication,” and “[t]hus, there are collateral consequences that might plague respondent in the 
future”); In re Val Q., 396 Ill. App. 3d 155, 159-60 (2009) (“this being respondent’s first 
involuntary treatment order, there are collateral consequences that may plague respondent in 
the future”); In re Gloria C., 401 Ill. App. 3d 271, 275 (2010) (“this being the respondent’s 
first involuntary admission order, there are collateral consequences that may plague the 
respondent in the future”). 
¶ 34 
 
Application of the collateral consequences exception cannot rest upon the lone fact that no 
prior involuntary admission or treatment order was entered, or upon a vague, unsupported 
statement that collateral consequences might plague the respondent in the future. Rather, a 
reviewing court must consider all the relevant facts and legal issues raised in the appeal before 
 
 
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deciding whether the exception applies. Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 364. Collateral 
consequences must be identified that “could stem solely from the present adjudication.” Id. at 
363. Although amicus curiae argues that a first involuntary commitment or treatment order 
should always satisfy the collateral consequences exception, we adhere to our decision in 
Alfred H.H. and decline to adopt a blanket rule of appealability in such cases. Appellate court 
opinions that hold otherwise, including the opinion below, are overruled. 
¶ 35 
 
The State maintains that respondent here cannot identify any collateral consequences that 
stem solely from the trial court’s involuntary treatment order. We need not consider this issue 
because we agree with respondent that even if the collateral consequences exception does not 
apply, review was nonetheless appropriate under the public interest exception. 
¶ 36 
 
Review of an otherwise moot issue under the public interest exception requires a clear 
showing of each of the following criteria: “(1) the question presented is of a public nature; (2) 
an authoritative determination of the question is desirable for the future guidance of public 
officers; and (3) the question is likely to recur.” In re Shelby R., 2013 IL 114994, ¶ 16. With 
respect to the first criterion, case-specific inquiries, such as sufficiency of the evidence, do not 
present the kinds of broad public issues required for review under the public interest exception. 
Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d at 356-57. Here, however, the issue before the appellate court was not 
case-specific. Rather, the issue was one of general applicability to mental health cases, 
involving the proper construction of section 3-816(a) as either a mandatory or directory 
provision. The resolution of this issue will affect the procedures that must be followed in 
proceedings under the Mental Health Code, which this court has already acknowledged are 
“matters of a public nature and of substantial public concern.” In re Mary Ann P., 202 Ill. 2d 
393, 402 (2002). Accordingly, the first criterion for review under the public interest exception 
was satisfied. 
¶ 37 
 
With respect to the second criterion, the need for an authoritative determination of the 
question, we consider the state of the law as it relates to the moot question. See Shelby R., 2013 
IL 114994, ¶ 19. Research discloses that at the time respondent filed her notice of appeal, this 
court had not spoken on section 3-816(a) of the Mental Health Code. Our appellate court, 
however, had published three decisions, all arising in the Fifth District, involving a trial court’s 
deviation from the fact-finding requirement of section 3-816(a). See In re James S., 388 Ill. 
App. 3d 1102 (2009); In re Lance H., 402 Ill. App. 3d 382 (2010); In re Joseph M., 405 Ill. 
App. 3d 1167 (2010). In each of these cases, the appellate court reversed the trial court’s 
treatment or admission order. None of these appellate opinions, however, addressed the 
specific issue raised in this case: whether section 3-816(a) is mandatory or directory. 
Accordingly, we regard the issue raised in this case as one of first impression which, as a 
matter of substantial public concern, is in need of an authoritative determination. See 
Shelby R., 2013 IL 114994, ¶¶ 20-22 (holding that appellate court could properly consider 
issue of first impression under the public interest exception). 
¶ 38 
 
The desirability of an authoritative determination of this issue is also demonstrated by the 
inconsistent positions adopted by the State’s Attorney of Randolph County in Lance H., and 
the State’s Attorney of Cook County in the instant case. In Lance H., the State conceded that 
the trial court’s failure to follow section 3-816(a) required reversal of the trial court’s order. 
 
 
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Lance H., 402 Ill. App. 3d at 386-87. Here, however, the State maintains that because the 
statute is directory, not mandatory, reversal is not required. Under these circumstances, the 
appellate court here could have reasonably concluded that review is desirable for the future 
guidance of public officers, thus satisfying the second criterion for application of the public 
interest exception. 
¶ 39 
 
Finally, with respect to the third criterion, no doubt exists that the question is likely to recur 
because section 3-816(a), by its express terms, applies to “[e]very final order” entered in 
proceedings under the Mental Health Code. 405 ILCS 5/3-816(a) (West 2010). We note that 
the State maintained, in its petition for leave to appeal, that the issue is “frequently raised in 
appeals involving involuntary commitment and medication orders.” Although this statement 
was made in support of review by this court, it is equally applicable to review by the appellate 
court. That the issue is likely to recur is borne out by the fact that, just six months after entry of 
the appellate court opinion in this case, the appellate court was again called upon to consider 
whether section 3-816(a) is directory or mandatory. See In re Latoya C., 2013 IL App (1st) 
121477, ¶ 14, pet. for leave to appeal pending, No. 116555. The recurrence of this issue 
indicates that guidance in this area is still needed. In re Laura H., 404 Ill. App. 3d 286, 289 
(2010). 
¶ 40 
 
We conclude that the appellate court could have properly reviewed this case pursuant to the 
public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. Accordingly, we decline the State’s 
invitation to vacate the appellate court opinion, and will consider the case on the merits. See 
Shelby R., 2013 IL 114994, ¶ 23 (“For the same reasons that review by the appellate court was 
appropriate, review by this court is also appropriate.”). 
 
¶ 41 
 
 
 
 
II. Mandatory Versus Directory 
¶ 42 
 
Section 3-816(a) of the Mental Health Code provides, in relevant part, that “[e]very final 
order entered by the court under this Act shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a 
statement on the record of the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.” 405 ILCS 
5/3-816(a) (West 2010). The involuntary treatment order entered in this case qualifies as a 
“final order.” See In re Curtis B., 203 Ill. 2d 53, 59 (2002) (“[a] final order is one which sets or 
fixes the rights of a party”). Further, because the State conceded that the trial court failed to 
comply with section 3-816(a), we will not make an independent determination of that issue. 
Accordingly, the only question before us is whether section 3-816(a) is mandatory, as the 
appellate court held, or directory, as the State argues. 
¶ 43 
 
“Whether a statutory command is mandatory or directory is a question of statutory 
construction, which we review de novo.” People v. Robinson, 217 Ill. 2d 43, 54 (2005). The 
answer to this question is a matter of legislative intent. Id. As this court has explained: 
“[S]tatutes are mandatory if the intent of the legislature dictates a particular 
consequence for failure to comply with the provision. [Citation.] However, in the 
absence of such legislative intent the statute is directory and no particular consequence 
flows from noncompliance. [Citation.] There are consequences to a directory reading, 
but a directory reading acknowledges only that no specific consequence is triggered by 
 
 
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the failure to comply with the statute. [Citation.] In other words, the 
mandatory/directory question simply denotes whether the failure to comply with a 
particular procedural step will or will not have the effect of invalidating the 
governmental action to which the procedural requirement relates. [Citation.]” 
(Emphasis in original.) (Internal quotation marks omitted.) In re M.I., 2013 IL 113776, 
¶ 16. 
¶ 44 
 
The law presumes that statutory language that issues a procedural command to a 
government official indicates an intent that the statute is directory. Id. ¶ 17. This presumption 
may be overcome, and the provision will be read as mandatory, under either of two conditions: 
(1) when the statute contains language prohibiting further action, or indicating a specific 
consequence, in the case of noncompliance, or (2) when the right or rights the statute was 
designed to protect would generally be injured by a directory reading. Id. ¶¶ 17-18. 
¶ 45 
 
With respect to the first condition, section 3-816(a) lacks any language that would prohibit 
the entry of a final order, or language identifying a specific consequence, for noncompliance 
with the statutory command. Although section 3-816(a) states that final orders “shall” be 
accompanied by findings of fact, the word “shall” is not determinative when the 
mandatory/directory dichotomy is at issue. Id. ¶ 19. Thus, the first condition which would 
overcome the presumption that section 3-816(a) is directory is not present here. 
¶ 46 
 
With respect to the second condition, the parties have identified three rights which one or 
both of them claim section 3-816(a) is intended to protect: (1) a respondent’s appeal rights; (2) 
a respondent’s liberty interest in refusing treatment; and (3) a respondent’s right to notice of 
the trial court’s reasoning. We consider each in turn. 
 
¶ 47 
 
 
 
 
III. Appeal Rights 
¶ 48 
 
The Mental Health Code provides that “[a]n appeal from a final order may be taken in the 
same manner as in other civil cases.” 405 ILCS 5/3-816(b) (West 2010). The State and 
respondent agree that section 3-816(a) is intended to protect this statutory right, but disagree as 
to whether a directory reading of the statute would generally injure that right. 
¶ 49 
 
Respondent makes no claim that the trial court’s noncompliance with section 3-816(a) 
injured her appeal rights in this case. Instead, she argues that in other cases, a lack of 
fact-finding could, as a practical matter, preclude appellate review. In support of this argument, 
respondent directs our attention to section 2-107.1 of the Mental Health Code, which sets forth 
several factors that must be proven by clear and convincing evidence before a court may 
authorize involuntary treatment. 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(4) (West 2010). One such factor is 
that the respondent currently exhibits one of the following: “(i) deterioration of his or her 
ability to function ***, (ii) suffering, or (iii) threatening behavior.” 405 ILCS 
5/2-107.1(a-5)(4)(B) (West 2010). Respondent argues that if, for example, the trial court failed 
to make a finding as to which behavior it found had been proven, the court on appeal would not 
be able to review whether the court’s decision was against the manifest weight of the evidence. 
¶ 50 
 
Although a clear recitation of the trial court’s findings of fact would be helpful to a 
reviewing court (see In re Madison H., 215 Ill. 2d 364, 374 (2005)), we agree with the State 
 
 
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that a full and fair review of the trial court’s ruling is not precluded by a lack of factual 
findings. We note that reviewing courts frequently consider sufficiency of the evidence claims 
where, as here, the ultimate ruling, but not the underlying findings, is disclosed. Appeal from a 
judgment entered on a jury verdict is a prime example. The reviewing court knows only the 
jury’s verdict, not the underlying findings supporting the verdict. Yet that circumstance does 
not preclude a reviewing court from considering a sufficiency-of-the-evidence claim. We note, 
also, that not all appeals in cases arising under the Mental Health Code implicate the trial 
court’s fact-finding. A respondent may raise a purely legal issue on appeal whose resolution is 
not dependent upon the trial court’s factual findings, or challenge a legal conclusion flowing 
from a set of undisputed facts. Indeed, in this case, respondent has raised only a legal issue on 
appeal, and has not challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s 
treatment order. 
¶ 51 
 
Our conclusion that a lack of factual findings does not preclude appellate review also finds 
support in the principle that it is the “judgment” of the lower court that is reviewed, and “not 
what else may have been said.” In re Estate of Funk, 221 Ill. 2d 30, 86 (2006). Thus, although 
factual findings may provide an explanation or reason for the trial court’s decision, it is the 
correctness of the court’s ruling, and not the correctness of its reasoning, that is under review. 
People v. Johnson, 208 Ill. 2d 118, 128 (2003). 
¶ 52 
 
Because no reason has been identified from which we may conclude that an injury to 
respondent’s appeal rights would generally result from a directory reading of the statute, the 
presumption that section 3-816(a) is directory has not been overcome. See Robinson, 217 Ill. 
2d at 57 (rejecting mandatory reading of statute where, although the right to appeal might be 
injured “in a given case, there is no reason to believe that it generally would be”). 
 
¶ 53 
 
 
 
 
IV. Liberty Interest 
¶ 54 
 
Respondent argues that section 3-816(a) must be given a mandatory reading in light of the 
“ ‘massive curtailment of liberty’ ” that the administration of involuntary mental health 
services entails. In re Barbara H., 183 Ill. 2d 482, 496 (1998) (quoting Vitek v. Jones, 445 U.S. 
480, 491 (1980)). According to respondent, requiring a trial court to make factual findings on 
the record reminds courts to follow the law, rather than simply rubber-stamping a 
psychiatrist’s recommendation, or ordering mental health services for well-intentioned, but 
improper reasons. 
¶ 55 
 
The State does not directly challenge respondent’s assertion that section 3-816(a) is 
intended to protect the liberty interests of recipients of mental health services. The State 
argues, however, that the procedures utilized in this case fully protected respondent’s liberty 
interests, and other than her assertion that the trial court failed to make the findings required by 
section 3-816(a), respondent has never claimed that her liberty interests were infringed or that 
the trial court’s order was improper. 
¶ 56 
 
Our task is to determine whether a directory reading of section 3-816(a) would generally 
injure a right the statute was intended to protect. M.I., 2013 IL 113776, ¶ 17. If we accept 
respondent’s argument, then we must conclude that a directory reading will generally injure a 
 
 
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respondent’s liberty interest because trial courts will likely not follow the law, will probably 
rubber-stamp the psychiatrist’s recommendation, and will order mental health services for the 
wrong reasons. Such a conclusion is not warranted. 
¶ 57 
 
This court has recognized that persons who are mentally ill have a federal constitutionally 
protected liberty interest to refuse the administration of psychotropic medication. In re C.E., 
161 Ill. 2d 200, 214 (1994). The State, however, has a legitimate parens patriae interest, 
embodied in section 2-107.1 of the Mental Health Code, in furthering the treatment of the 
mentally ill, by forcibly administering treatment to those individuals incapable of making a 
sound decision. Id. at 217. 
¶ 58 
 
Pursuant to section 2-107.1(a-5)(1), before a trial court may enter an involuntary 
medication order, a petition must first be filed in the circuit court and delivered to the 
respondent, his or her attorney, and his or her guardian, if any, along with notice of the time 
and place of the hearing. 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(1) (West 2010). The petitioner must make a 
good faith attempt to determine whether the respondent has executed a power of attorney for 
health care or a declaration for mental health treatment. Id. Significantly, the respondent is 
entitled to appointment of counsel. 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(3), 3-805 (West 2010); 
Barbara H., 183 Ill. 2d at 493-94. Only in limited circumstances will a hearing proceed 
without counsel. 405 ILCS 5/3-805 (West 2010). The respondent is also entitled to secure an 
independent examination by a physician, clinical psychologist, or other expert of respondent’s 
choice (405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(3), 3-804 (West 2010)), and must receive written notice of 
the side effects, risks, and benefits of the treatment plan (405 ILCS 5/2-102(a-5) (West 2010)). 
¶ 59 
 
At the judicial hearing on the petition, which is separate from the hearing to determine if 
the respondent is subject to involuntary admission (405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(2) (West 2010)), 
the presence of the following factors must be proven by clear and convincing evidence: 
 
“(A) That the recipient has a serious mental illness or developmental disability. 
 
(B) That because of said mental illness or developmental disability, the recipient 
currently exhibits any one of the following: (i) deterioration of his or her ability to 
function, as compared to the recipient’s ability to function prior to the current onset of 
symptoms of the mental illness or disability for which treatment is presently sought, (ii) 
suffering, or (iii) threatening behavior. 
 
(C) That the illness or disability has existed for a period marked by the continuing 
presence of the symptoms set forth in item (B) *** or the repeated episodic occurrence 
of these symptoms. 
 
(D) That the benefits of the treatment outweigh the harm. 
 
(E) That the recipient lacks the capacity to make a reasoned decision about the 
treatment. 
 
(F) That other less restrictive services have been explored and found inappropriate. 
 
(G) If the petition seeks authorization for testing and other procedures, that such 
testing and procedures are essential for the safe and effective administration of the 
treatment.” 405 ILCS 5/2-107.1(a-5)(4) (West 2010). 
 
 
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If the petition is granted, the court’s written order, which can be effective for no more than 90 
days (405 ILCS 5/2-107.2(a-5)(5) (West 2010)), must identify the medications, along with the 
anticipated dosages, and the persons authorized to administer them (405 ILCS 
5/2-107.2(a-5)(6) (West 2010)). 
¶ 60 
 
A directory reading of section 3-816(a), under which noncompliance could be excused, 
does not negate these procedural safeguards. Indeed, respondent does not argue that the 
procedures followed in this case—a hearing, after notice, at which respondent was represented 
by counsel, and had an opportunity to challenge the State’s evidence—were compromised 
because the court expressed only its legal conclusion that the evidence overwhelmingly 
supported the petition. We cannot make the leap, urged by respondent, that a directory reading 
will injure the liberty interests the foregoing procedures protect by somehow enabling trial 
courts to rubber-stamp a psychiatrist’s recommendation or authorize administration of 
psychotropic drugs for improper reasons. Accordingly, we decline to depart from the legal 
presumption that section 3-816(a) is directory. 
 
¶ 61 
 
 
 
 
V. Right to Notice of the Trial Court’s Reasoning 
¶ 62 
 
Respondent also argues that a directory reading of section 3-816(a) will generally injure a 
respondent’s “right to notice of the trial court’s reasoning.” The State disputes that such a right 
exists. The State further argues that, in any event, the notice respondent claims is due could 
have been realized had she simply requested specific findings of fact, or other clarification, at 
the time the trial court ruled, and that no reason exists to reverse the trial court’s judgment. See 
In re Nau, 153 Ill. 2d 406, 419 (1992) (holding that reversal of commitment order was not 
required based on a defect in notice under section 3-611 of the Mental Health Code, where the 
defect “could and should have been objected to immediately, could have been easily cured if 
timely objected to, and made no difference anyway” (internal quotation marks omitted)). 
¶ 63 
 
We first consider the source of respondent’s claimed “right to notice of the trial court’s 
reasoning.” Respondent does not argue that such right flows from section 3-816(a) or any other 
statutory provision. Rather, respondent relies on this court’s opinion in Madison H. 
¶ 64 
 
Madison H. involved an appeal following a dispositional hearing under the Juvenile Court 
Act, in which guardianship of the minor child was placed in the Department of Children and 
Family Services. At issue was a provision of the Juvenile Court Act, stating that “[i]f the trial 
court determines and puts in writing” its factual basis for finding the parents unable to care for 
the child, and that the child’s best interests will be jeopardized if the child remains with the 
parents, the court may commit the minor to the Department of Children and Family Services. 
705 ILCS 405/2-27(1) (West 2002). We remanded the case to the trial court to make specific 
findings of fact apprising the child’s mother (who was developmentally disabled) of the 
reasons for the trial court’s decision. Madison H., 215 Ill. 2d at 377-78. As emphasized in the 
special concurrence, written findings were necessary “to provide the parties, social services, 
and the court with clear benchmarks for measuring future progress toward the goal of 
reunification.” Id. at 380 (Kilbride, J., specially concurring). 
 
 
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¶ 65 
 
The present case does not involve a provision of the Juvenile Court Act, nor does it involve 
an ongoing proceeding in which the trial court’s findings are intended to provide benchmarks 
for the respondent’s conduct. Moreover, Madison H. did not consider the mandatory/directory 
dichotomy that is now before us. Though Madison H. established the favored procedure in 
certain abuse and neglect cases, it did not establish a broadly applicable “right to notice of the 
trial court’s reasoning.” 
¶ 66 
 
Respondent identifies no other source of her right to such notice. Instead, respondent 
generally maintains that notice of the trial court’s reasoning will protect her liberty interest in 
not being medicated involuntarily, just as statutory notice of the medication and its side effects 
will protect her liberty interest. Thus, respondent’s right-to-notice argument devolves into a 
liberty-interest argument. As already discussed, however, we rejected respondent’s argument 
that a directory reading of section 3-816(a) will generally injure her liberty interests. 
Accordingly, we also reject respondent’s right-to-notice argument as a basis on which to 
depart from a directory reading of section 3-816(a). 
 
¶ 67 
 
 
 
 
CONCLUSION 
¶ 68 
 
Having found no reason to conclude that a respondent’s appeal rights or liberty interests 
will generally be injured through a directory reading of section 3-816(a), we hold that the legal 
presumption that section 3-816(a) is a directory provision has not been overcome in this case, 
and that the appellate court erred in reversing the judgment of the trial court. Accordingly, we 
reverse the judgment of the appellate court and affirm the judgment of the trial court. 
 
¶ 69 
 
Appellate court judgment reversed. 
¶ 70 
 
Circuit court judgment affirmed.