Opinion ID: 3135113
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: The State filed a petition for adjudication of wardship on May 13, 1999, arising from D.D.’s reckless conduct in igniting and throwing firecrackers, endangering the safety of others. D.D. was adjudicated delinquent, and probation was imposed on October 14, 1999. On July 13, 2000, the State filed a petition for supplemental relief, alleging that D.D. had not complied with the conditions of his probation. D.D. was again placed on probation. D.D.’s probation officer recommended that D.D. receive a residential placement because D.D.’s mother was unable to secure his attendance at school counseling or probation department appointments. In November 2000, the juvenile court apparently entered an order extending D.D.’s probation with the additional condition of residential placement. While there is no written order in the record on appeal, a docket sheet entry dated November 2, 2000, indicates that a finding of a probation violation was entered along with an extension of probation for 18 months and the condition of “[residential] placement.” A docket sheet entry of December 6, 2000, shows that D.D. was accepted at the Center. D.D. was admitted to the Center on March 7, 2001. The public defender’s office of Cook County filed a motion in juvenile court, requesting an order for the care and support of D.D. Subsequently, in approximately February 2001, Oak Park received a notice to appear in the juvenile court of Cook County, regarding Oak Park’s potential obligation to pay for the educational portion of D.D.’s residential placement. At the time of his original adjudication as a delinquent minor, D.D. was a resident and special education student in the Elmwood Park School District. He began receiving special education services in May 1997. In February 1998, following a reevaluation of D.D.’s individual educational program, D.D. was placed in a therapeutic day program at Joseph’s Academy. D.D.’s mother became a resident of Oak Park in January 2001. D.D.’s probation officer testified that, while at Joseph’s Academy, D.D. did not comply with the terms of his probation. According to the probation officer, D.D. was frequently truant and failed to abide by his counseling and drug-treatment requirements. D.D. would also engage in fighting and “general gross behavior,” resulting in suspensions. According to the probation officer, it was difficult to determine whether D.D. improved at Joseph’s Academy due to his frequent truancy. D.D. was later discharged from Joseph’s Academy, but was still considered to be in need of services. The probation officer recommended a therapeutic residential placement in view of D.D.’s problems with attendance at school, counseling, and probation department appointments. An advocacy supervisor at the Cook County juvenile probation department testified that a placement at the Center would be appropriate. On June 15, 2001, the juvenile court found that Oak Park was liable for the educational portion of D.D.’s residential placement. An order requiring Oak Park to provide payment to the Center for D.D.’s education costs was entered on June 29, 2001. Oak Park filed a notice of appeal pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 303 (155 Ill. 2d R. 303). The appellate court reversed (337 Ill. App. 3d 998), initially rejecting the State’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction over Oak Park’s appeal. According to the appellate court, the June 29, 2001, order was final for purposes of appeal. The court reasoned that “[a] judgment is final if it decides the controversy between the parties on [its] merits and fixes their rights” such that, if judgment is affirmed, all that remains for the circuit court to do is execute the order. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1006, citing In re J.N. , 91 Ill. 2d 122, 127 (1982). According to the appellate court, the June 29 order was final regarding Oak Park’s obligation to pay for the educational portion of D.D.’s placement. The court further reasoned that the State’s invocation of Supreme Court Rule 304(a) (155 Ill. 2d R. 304(a)) was misplaced because appeals in delinquency proceedings are governed by the rules applicable to criminal appeals. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1008. Finally, the court held that Oak Parks’ citation to Rule 303 was not fatal to its appeal. The State was not prejudiced by Oak Park citing to the wrong appellate rule. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1009, citing In re O.H. , 329 Ill. App. 3d 254 (2002). The appellate court next held that the juvenile court lacked the statutory authority to order Oak Park to pay for the educational portion of the delinquent minor’s residential placement. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1014. Regarding placements made pursuant to section 5–740 of the Act, either the legal guardian of the minor (705 ILCS 405/5–710(5) (West 1998)) or the county (705 ILCS 405/6–8(2) (West 1998)) is required to pay for the minor’s care and support. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1013. Also, section 6–10(a) of the Act (705 ILCS 405/6–10(a) (West 1998)) provides for state reimbursement of county funds expended for the placement of minors pursuant to section 5–740. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1013. According to the appellate court, this statutory scheme does not include a school district as a responsible party. 337 Ill. App. 3d at 1014. We granted the State’s petition for leave to appeal (177 Ill. 2d R. 315) and now affirm the judgment of the appellate court.