Court Opinion

ID: 9908172
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-07 22:03:08.092755+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:48:57.705114
License: Public Domain

2023 IL App (1st) 231059-U
                                   Order filed December 7, 2023

                                                                           FIRST DISTRICT
                                                                           FOURTH DIVISION

                                          No. 1-23-1059

NOTICE: This order was filed under Supreme Court Rule 23 and is not precedent except in the
limited circumstances allowed under Rule 23(e)(1).
______________________________________________________________________________
                                    IN THE
                        APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
                                FIRST DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________
In re M.R., a Minor,                                        )     Appeal from the
                                                            )     Circuit Court of
       Appellee,                                            )     Cook County.
                                                            )
(The People of the State of Illinois,                       )
                                                            )     No. 21 JA 290
       Petitioner-Appellee,                                 )
                                                            )
v.                                                          )     Honorable
                                                            )     Jennifer Payne,
Manuel L. and Gabriele R.,                                  )     Judge, presiding.
                                                            )
       Respondents-Appellees,                               )
                                                            )
and                                                         )
                                                            )
Timothy M.,                                                 )
                                                            )
       Intervenor-Appellant).                               )

       PRESIDING JUSTICE ROCHFORD delivered the judgment of the court.
       Justices Martin and Ocasio III concurred in the judgment.

                                           ORDER

¶1    Held: We dismiss the appeal of intervenor-foster parent in this adjudication of wardship
            case on mootness grounds where there has been a significant change in
            circumstances which preclude effective relief.
No. 1-23-1059

¶2     The intervenor-appellant, Timothy M., became a foster parent for the minor-appellee,

M.R., after a petition for adjudication of wardship was brought against M.R.’s mother, Gabriele

R., (the mother) and father, Manuel R., (the father). The circuit court allowed Timothy M. to

intervene in the case as to the issue of M.R.’s placement only. After a hearing, the circuit court

found the father fit to parent M.R.; returned M.R. to the care of the father with an order of

protection; denied Timothy M.’s motion to change the permanency goal to substitute care pending

determination of parental termination (substitute care) and to remove Child Link, the monitoring

agency; and vacated the order granting Timothy M. intervenor status. Timothy M. appeals from

the circuit court’s denial of his motion to reconsider.

¶3     However, before the appeal was filed, the circuit court found the father in violation of the

order of protection and entered a modified disposition order finding the father unable and unwilling

to care for M.R. and M.R. was placed with his maternal aunt (aunt). The court also removed Child

Link from the case. The court subsequently entered a permanency order with a goal of guardianship

with the aunt. For the following reasons, we dismiss this appeal as moot.

¶4     In that we are deciding this case on mootness grounds, we set forth only those facts which

are relevant to an understanding of the issues.

¶5     On or about March 20, 2021, the mother was caring for M.R. and his minor siblings M.A.R.

and R.R. (the siblings), who are the children of the father and his now former wife Cassandra R.

While in the mother’s care, the siblings were seriously injured and the mother was arrested and

criminally charged.

¶6     On March 30, 2021, the State filed a petition for adjudication of wardship of M.R. (born

on September 22, 2020) against the mother and the father which asserted that M.R. was neglected

due to an injurious environment and a substantial risk of physical injury. In support of the neglect

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No. 1-23-1059

claim, the State alleged that medical personnel had concluded that the injuries suffered by the

siblings while in the care of the mother were due to abuse and the father has a history of illegal

substance use.

¶7     On that date, the court entered orders which granted temporary custody of M.R. to the

guardianship administrator of the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), appointed a

guardian ad litem (GAL), and allowed the mother and the father supervised day visits with M.R.

However, in the criminal proceedings against the mother, the criminal court had imposed a

condition of bond which prohibited her from having contact with M.R.

¶8     DCFS placed M.R. in the care of Timothy M. and his husband, Robert S., (the foster

parents) on April 23, 2021. Child Link monitored the case on behalf of DCFS with Martha Vega

as the supervisor and Sergio Casarez as the caseworker.

¶9     On October 13, 2021, the court held an adjudication hearing based on the parties’

stipulation of facts. According to that stipulation, in March, while in the care of the mother only,

M.A.R. suffered severe injuries to his groin area and other injuries to his face, head, neck, and

back; and R.R. incurred facial bruises, abrasions, and significant hair loss on the back and top of

her head. The father was married to, but separated from, Cassandra R., and they were planning to

divorce. The father acknowledged a history of drug use.

¶ 10   The court entered an adjudication order finding M.R. was abused or neglected based on an

injurious environment and a substantial risk of harm and a disposition order adjudging M.R. a

ward of the court and finding both the mother and the father unable to care for him. In a separate

order, the father was granted supervised visits with M.R. and unsupervised day visits at the

discretion of DCFS.

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No. 1-23-1059

¶ 11   On April 19, 2022, the court entered a permanency order with a goal that M.R. would be

returned to the father within 5 months. The order noted that both parents were engaged in services

and participating in visitations. Because the criminal court had modified the mother’s condition of

bond to allow contact with M.R., she was having supervised visits; the father was having

unsupervised visits.

¶ 12   Timothy M., on August 17, 2022, filed a motion seeking to intervene in the case pursuant

to section 1-5(2)(d) of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (Act). 705 ILCS 405/1(2)(d) (West 2022).

In his motion, Timothy M. contended that it was in M.R.’s best interest to remain with the foster

parents. He criticized Child Link, Garcia, and Vega with respect to their monitoring of the case.

He also offered reasons for terminating the parental rights of the father and mother, including on

the ground of adultery (ground j) (750 ILCS 50/1(D)(j) (West 2022)). Timothy M. requested that

the court grant him standing and intervenor status, assign the matter to a different monitoring

agency, order supervised visitations only, change the permanency goal to substitute care, and allow

the foster parents access to M.R.’s medical records to determine whether he was born with drugs

in his system. In the motion, Timothy M. revealed that he was a Cook County assistant state’s

attorney and had previously been assigned to the child protection courts.

¶ 13   The next day, the mother filed a combined emergency motion requesting that the court find

M.R.’s placement with the foster parents unnecessary and inappropriate, and an objection to

Timothy M.’s motion to intervene and his other requests for relief. The mother argued that the

foster parents were not supportive of the goal of return home and have exhibited contempt for the

mother and the father.

¶ 14   Then, on August 26, 2022, the Cook County State’s Attorney Office filed a motion for the

appointment of a special prosecutor in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety considering

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No. 1-23-1059

Timothy M.’s position with the office. The court later granted this motion and the Office of the

Lake County State’s Attorney was appointed as special prosecutor.

¶ 15   While these motions were pending, on August 30, 2022, Child Link gave the foster parents

written notice that M.R. was being removed from their home that day. The notice charged that the

foster parents had impeded reunification and made it difficult to provide case management

services. M.R. was moved to the home of the aunt where O.R., M.R.’s younger sibling, was living. 1

As a result, Timothy M. filed an emergency motion to intervene (second motion) which argued

that M.R.’s removal from the foster parents’ care was retaliatory in nature and not in the best

interest of M.R. Timothy M. requested that the court grant him standing and intervenor status as

to the emergency motion and order that M.R. be returned to the foster parents’ home.

¶ 16   The court held a hearing on the second motion on September 1, 2022.

¶ 17   Timothy M. testified that Child Link was not providing him the opportunity to attend child

and family team meetings and he was not notified that the goal was being changed to return home

within five months. He had concerns about M.R.’s unsupervised visitations with the father but had

not impeded them.

¶ 18   Vega testified that during a staffing on August 26, 2022, she and the director of Child Link

made the decision to remove M.R. and place him with the aunt. Although Timothy M. did not

agree with unsupervised or overnight visits with the father, he did not interfere with the visits.

Vega admitted that there were no safety concerns with M.R.’s placement with the foster parents.

¶ 19   After the hearing, the court entered an order which granted Timothy M. standing to bring

the second motion pursuant to 705 ILCS 405/1-5(2)(b) (West 2022) “because it was about the

       1
          The mother and the father have a daughter, O.R. who was born while this case was pending and
is not a party. The aunt is her guardian.

                                                -5-
No. 1-23-1059

minor child being removed from his foster home.” The court found there were no safety concerns

with the foster parents’ home and it was in M.R.’s best interest to remain there. During the hearing,

the court voiced concerns that due to the timing of Child Link’s removal of M.R. from the foster

parents’ home (coming on the heels of the first motion to intervene), its action could be construed

as retaliatory.

¶ 20    DCFS filed a motion to reconsider this order. In response to the motion, Timothy M. argued

that the Whistleblower Act (5 ILCS 430/15-10 (West 2022)) applied to this case in that Child Link,

performing work on behalf of a state agency, retaliated against him, another state “employee” for

reporting legitimate concerns about the welfare of M.R. During the hearing on the motion to

reconsider, the court orally ruled that the Whistleblower Act did not apply to this case in that Child

Link had not committed any illegal act.

¶ 21    On September 27, 2022, over the objections of DCFS, the mother, and the father, the court

granted the first motion to intervene in part and allowed Timothy M. intervenor status only for the

issue of M.R.’s placement under sections 1-5(2)(b), (c) and (d) of the Act. 705 ILCS 405/1-5(2)(b),

(c) and (d) (West 2022). The court continued the motion as to the other requested remedies for a

later hearing.

¶ 22    The court held a hearing on permanency, the motion to intervene, the mother’s motion to

find placement not necessary, and an oral motion of the father seeking the return of M.R. over four

court dates: December 13, 2022, and January 12 and 23, and February 14, 2023. The GAL called

Casarez, Vega, and the father as witnesses. Timothy M. presented his own testimony and called

Robert S. and M.R.’s therapists, Lauren Biggs, and Brittany Dunn, as witnesses. The court

excluded Timothy M. from the hearing during the presentation of testimony relating to services

                                                -6-
No. 1-23-1059

and treatment for the mother and the father. The court also precluded Timothy M. from delving

into his claims about ground j and the Whistleblower Act.

¶ 23   Casarez testified that M.R.’s placement in the foster home has been safe and appropriate

without signs of abuse, neglect, or corporal punishment. M.R. was up to date on all medical

appointments and has been participating in recommended speech, developmental, and

occupational therapies at the foster parents’ home.

¶ 24   The father was compliant with all recommended services. He completed parent education

and coaching, anger management, is engaged in individual therapy, and had not tested positive for

illegal drugs. He has been having overnight unsupervised visits with M.R. On ten occasions,

Casarez went unannounced to the father’s home during visitations and found that the father was

properly caring for M.R. The father and M.R. are bonded. The paternal grandmother

(grandmother) lives nearby and is available to help care for M.R. Casarez recommended that M.R.

be returned to the father as it was in M.R.’s best interest.

¶ 25   On cross-examination by Timothy M., Casarez acknowledged that he once took M.R. to a

visit with the mother at a time when the criminal court had prohibited her from having contact with

M.R. Casarez had been unaware of the criminal court order prior to that visit. He has never

discussed the service plan with the foster parents or attended M.R.’s evaluations or therapies.

Casarez agreed that Timothy M. had notified Child Link by email that, at various times, M.R. had

returned from visits with the father with a prolonged fever, facial cuts. diaper rash, or the odor of

cigarette smoke. Timothy M. also informed Child Link that after overnight visits began, M.R. had

developed more behavioral problems.

                                                 -7-
No. 1-23-1059

¶ 26   Vega testified that M.R.’s therapies are being transitioned from the foster parents’ home to

the father’s home. She believed the father will work well with M.R.’s therapists. Vega has found

the father’s home safe and appropriate.

¶ 27   After a staffing, Child Link concluded that it was in M.R.’s best interest that he be returned

to the father. The father has a bond with M.R, improved his parenting skills, and completed the

recommended services. The father’s visitations with M.R. have been safe and appropriate.

¶ 28   On cross-examination by Timothy M., Vega acknowledged that the foster parents did not

receive their portion of the service plan until July 5, 2022, and that Child Link sent the foster

parents a payment check with insufficient funds. Vega also acknowledged that despite receiving

documentation of the foster parents’ issues with M.R.’s overnight visitations, Child Link increased

the number of M.R.’s overnight visits with the father.

¶ 29   The father testified to his ability and willingness to care for M.R. He has been responsible

for feeding, changing, and bathing M.R. during visitations and was willing to assist with M.R.’s

therapies. The father has not used illegal drugs for over two years. He believed that the services

have helped him with parenting and family relations.

¶ 30   On cross-examination by Timothy M., the father acknowledged that he had never asked

the foster parents if he could participate in M.R.’s therapies or contacted the therapists. He agreed

that M.R. had returned to the foster parents after visits with a scab on his back and diaper rash.

¶ 31   Robert S. testified that M.R. came to live with the foster parents in April 2021. Vega told

him that M.R. had no place else to go. The foster parents have loved and cared for M.R. in a safe

environment, enjoyed activities with him, and have implemented his therapies; they are bonded.

Robert S. believed that M.R.’s progress in therapies was “backsliding” because so much therapy

time has been devoted to M.R.’s behavioral issues which had been getting worse after overnight

                                                -8-
No. 1-23-1059

visits. As part of M.R.’s speech therapy, Robert S. has learned sign language and practices it with

M.R.

¶ 32   During the past six months, M.R. has returned from visitations with cuts, other wounds,

and diaper rash. M.R.’s hair and clothes smelled of cigarette smoke. Robert S. shared his concerns

with the staff of Child Link but they did not “seem to care.” He believed that Casarez and Vega

had been untruthful, had not shared service plan information or permanency goals, and were not

interested in whether M.R. was vaccinated or going to medical appointments.

¶ 33   Timothy M. testified that M.R. was evaluated by Early Intervention in June 2021, and was

found to not need services. He successfully advocated for a second evaluation as he was concerned

that M.R. was behind in developmental milestones. The second assessment finally occurred in

June 2022 and included recommendations that M.R. undergo speech and developmental therapies

and an audiology exam. Timothy M. set up M.R.’s therapies and audiology exam without

assistance from Child Link and practiced sign language with M.R. He saw a decline in M.R.’s

progress with therapies when overnight visits began. Child Link did not include the foster parents

in case reviews or family team meetings and often ignored his emails and other communications.

¶ 34   Biggs, a developmental therapist and registered behavior technician with Early

Intervention, testified that she provided M.R. with developmental therapy for three or four months

at the end of 2022. Biggs believed that the foster parents were very involved with M.R.’s therapy.

She observed that M.R. had a bond with the foster parents. She had no communications with the

mother and the father.

¶ 35   Dunn, a speech language pathologist, provided M.R. with speech therapy at the foster

parents’ home beginning in August 2022. The foster parents participated in the therapy and tended

to M.R.’s needs. Dunn is teaching M.R. sign language, which assists children with language delays

                                               -9-
No. 1-23-1059

to communicate with less frustration. M.R.’s progress is slow as he has ten verbal words and five

to ten signs. A child of age two normally has a vocabulary of greater than 200 words.

¶ 36   After the hearing, the court entered a disposition order on February 14, 2023, finding the

mother was unable but the father was fit, able and willing to care for, protect, train, or discipline

M.R. and it was not in M.R.’s best interest to become a ward of the court. The court further ordered

that M.R. be returned to the care and custody of the father with an order of protection. The order

of protection and a supplement to that order required the father to undergo random drug screens,

attend family and individual therapy, cooperate with an assessment of M.R.’s special needs, and

follow recommendations as to M.R.’s speech, developmental, and occupational therapies, and not

permit the mother to have unauthorized contact with M.R. In a separate order, the court granted

the father’s motion to return home “for good cause shown,” and denied the mother’s motion to

find the foster home unnecessary and inappropriate. In that some order, the court denied

Timothy M.’s requests to remove Child Link and to change the goal to substitute care and found

his requests to have the father’s visits supervised and obtain M.R.’s birth records moot. In a final

order, the court vacated its prior order granting Timothy M. leave to intervene for placement only.

¶ 37   Timothy M. filed a motion to reconsider the court’s February 14 rulings and asked the court

to change the permanency goal to substitute care and remove Child Link from monitoring the case.

After a hearing, on May 19, 2023, the circuit court entered an order denying the motion to

reconsider and a separate order which again vacated its prior order giving Timothy M. party status

as an intervenor. The court excused Timothy M. from the rest of the proceedings on that date.

¶ 38   The court then remarked that it was clear from the evidence at the permanency hearing that

M.R. has many needs and questioned Child Link’s attention to those needs. The court directed

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No. 1-23-1059

Child Link to assure that M.R. was receiving consistent and regular therapies. A status date was

set for June 6, 2023.

¶ 39   In his appellant’s brief, Timothy M., referred to events which took place after the denial of

his motion to reconsider. We then directed the State to provide a status report, attaching any

relevant orders and pleadings which had been entered or filed after May 19 and explain the status

of M.R.’s current placement and monitoring agency. See J.S.A. v. M.H., 224 Ill. 2d 182, 212 (2007)

(“The appellate court may take judicial notice that there have been various orders entered during

the pendency of the appeal.”). The status report and its attachments and a transcript of the June 6

proceedings reveal the following facts.

¶ 40   On June 2, 2023, the GAL filed an emergency motion in which the GAL asserted several

grounds for finding the father had violated the protective order and abandoned his parental

responsibilities. The father left M.R. with the grandmother at the end of March 2023 and did not

visit or care for M. R. for the next three weeks. He cancelled M.R.’s therapy sessions and told

Child Link that M.R. no longer needed therapy. Under a care plan, M.R. began living with the aunt

on May 16, 2023, after the grandmother indicated that she could no longer care for M.R.

¶ 41   The court heard the motion at the scheduled June 6, 2023, status date. Vega testified and

confirmed that M.R. was living with the aunt. After a staffing, the agency decided not to return

M.R. to the foster parents because M.R. had no contact with the foster parents since February 14,

2023 but had been having contact with the aunt through her supervision of M.R.’s visits with the

mother and O.R. The aunt’s home passed a safety check and the aunt, her husband and three adult

children who are living in the home were successfully screened as to their backgrounds. The aunt

has never been the subject of a DCFS investigation. She has arranged for M.R.’s services and

therapies.

                                              - 11 -
No. 1-23-1059

¶ 42   After the hearing, the circuit court granted the GAL’s emergency motion and found the

father had violated the order of protection. The court entered a modified dispositional order finding

the father was unable and unwilling to parent M.R. and set a permanency hearing for August 21,

2023. The court also ordered that a new agency be appointed to monitor the case. In its oral

remarks, the court raised various concerns about the way the case had been managed by Child Link

including its removal of M.R. from the foster parents in August 2022 in apparent retaliation for

the motion to intervene, insufficient communications with the foster parents, disregard of Timothy

M.’s request for a second assessment of M.R. despite his delay in speech development, and

misjudgment as to the father’s preparation and ability to care for M.R. The court expressed a hope

that the new agency might consider placing M.R. with the foster parents.

¶ 43   On June 12, 2023, Timothy M. filed a notice of appeal from the denial of his motion to

reconsider only.

¶ 44   At the August 21 permanency hearing, the court heard testimony from a caseworker from

the new agency and received a report from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The

evidence showed that M.R. was thriving with the aunt, had made improvements with speech

therapy, was more compliant, and had less tantrums. DCFS requested that the goal be changed to

substitute care. The court set a goal of guardianship as requested by the mother and the father. The

court set a further permanency hearing on March 5, 2024.

¶ 45   In his appellant’s brief, Timothy M. argues that the circuit court’s finding that father was

fit to care for M.R. was against the manifest weight of the evidence. He also argues that the court

erred in returning M.R. to the care and custody of the father and that it was in M.R.’s best interest

to change the goal to substitute care. Timothy M. further argues that the court erred in granting

him limited intervenor status, barring evidence as to the adulterous conduct of the father and the

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No. 1-23-1059

mother, and in finding the Whistleblower Act was inapplicable. He asks that we remand with a

directive that the circuit court place M.R. with the foster parents or in the alternative, remand the

matter for a new permanency hearing where he has “full party” status and is allowed to present

evidence relevant to ground j. Finally, he asks that we find that Child Link was not serving the

best interest of M.R.

¶ 46   The Act provides a “step by step” process for deciding whether a minor should be removed

from his or her parents, made a ward of the court, and whether parental rights should be terminated.

In re Arthur H., 212 Ill. 2d 441, 462 (2004). After a petition for wardship has been filed and a

minor has been placed in temporary custody, the circuit court conducts an adjudicatory hearing,

where the court must consider whether the minor was abused, neglected, or dependent. Id.; 750

ILCS 405/2-21(1), (2) (West 2022). Once the circuit court determines that a minor was abused,

neglected, or dependent, the court then conducts a disposition hearing to determine whether it is

consistent with the health, safety, and best interests of the minor and the public that [the minor] be

made a ward of the court.” Id. § 2-21(2).

¶ 47   Here, the circuit court found that M.R. was abused or neglected and adjudged him a ward

of the court. The court’s adjudication order has not been challenged on appeal.

¶ 48   After a minor is made ward of the court, the court next determines the proper disposition

best serving the health, safety, and interest of the minor and public. 705 ILCS 405/2-22(1) (West

2022). There are four basic dispositional orders, the minor may be: “(1) continued in the care of

the minor’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian; (2) restored to the custody of the minor’s parent,

guardian, or legal custodian; (3) ordered partially or completely emancipated; or (4) placed in

accordance with section 2-27 of the Act.” In re M.G., 2018 IL App. (3d) 170591, ¶ 10 (citing 705

ILCS 405/2-22(1), 2-23(1)(a) (West 2016); M.M., 2016 IL 119932, ¶ 18). “After disposition, the

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No. 1-23-1059

court maintains jurisdiction and may modify the dispositional order, consistently with section 2-

28 of the Act, at any time until the case is finally closed or the child reaches majority.” In re

Desiree O., 381 Ill. App. 3d 854, 864 (2008) (citing 705 ILCS 405/2-23(2) (West 2006)).

¶ 49   A circuit court’s decision at a dispositional hearing will only be reversed if the findings of

fact are against the manifest weight of the evidence or the circuit court committed an abuse of

discretion by selecting an inappropriate dispositional order. In re J.W., 386 Ill. App. 3d 847, 856

(2008) (citing In re Ta. A., 384 Ill. App. 3d 303, 307 (2008)). A finding is against the manifest

weight of the evidence where the opposite conclusion is clearly apparent. In re A.P., 2012 IL

113875, ¶ 17 (citing In re D.S., 217 Ill. 2d 306, 322 (2005)). The circuit court is generally vested

with wide discretion because it has the best opportunity to observe the witnesses’ testimony, assess

credibility, and weigh the evidence. In re E.S., 324 Ill. App. 3d 661, 667 (2001). An abuse of

discretion occurs “when no reasonable person would agree with its decision.” In re M.P., 408 Ill.

App. 3d 1070, 1073 (2011).

¶ 50   Section 1-5(2) of the Act includes provisions relating to the participation of foster parents

in abuse and neglect proceedings. 705 ILCS 405/1-5(2) (West 2022) A foster parent is given the

right to be heard in the case pursuant to subsection 1-5(2)(a) but is not considered a party. Id. §1-

5(2)(a). However, subsections 1-5(2)(b), (c) and (d) allow a foster parent to seek intervention.

Id. §1-5(2)(b), (c), (d). In relevant part, these statutory provisions provide:

       “(b) If after an adjudication that a minor is abused or neglected as provided under Section

       2-21 of this Act and a motion has been made to restore the minor to any parent, guardian,

       or legal custodian found by the court to have caused the neglect or to have inflicted the

       abuse on the minor, a foster parent may file a motion to intervene in the proceeding for the

       sole purpose of requesting that the minor be placed with the foster parent, provided that the

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No. 1-23-1059

       foster parent (i) is the current foster parent of the minor or (ii) has previously been a foster

       parent for the minor for one year or more, has a foster care license or is eligible for a license

       or is not required to have a license, and is not the subject of any findings of abuse or neglect

       of any child. The juvenile court may only enter orders placing a minor with a specific foster

       parent under this subsection (2)(b) and nothing in this Section shall be construed to confer

       any jurisdiction or authority on the juvenile court to issue any other orders requiring the

       appointed guardian or custodian of a minor to place the minor in a designated foster home

       or facility. ***.

       (c) If a foster parent has had the minor who is the subject of the proceeding under Article

       II in the foster parent’s home for more than one year on or after July 3, 1994 and if the

       minor’s placement is being terminated from that foster parent’s home, that foster parent

       shall have standing and intervenor status except in those circumstances where the

       Department of Children and Family Services or anyone else authorized under Section 5 of

       the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act has removed the minor from the foster

       parent because of a reasonable belief that the circumstances or conditions of the minor are

       such that continuing in the residence or care of the foster parent will jeopardize the child’s

       health or safety or presents an imminent risk of harm to the minor’s life.

       (d) The court may grant standing to any foster parent if the court finds that it is in the best

       interest of the child for the foster parent to have standing and intervenor status.” Id.

¶ 51   We have interpreted subsection 1-5(2)(c) and its use of the word “shall” to mean that a

court must allow a foster parent intervention where the statutory requirements are met (In re R.J.,

2022 IL App 1st 211542, ¶ 63) and “for the sole purpose of requesting continued placement of the

child with that foster parent” (Desiree O., 381 Ill. App. 3d at 865 (citing In re A.L., 294 Ill App 3d

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No. 1-23-1059

441, 448 (1998)). We conclude that the use of “shall” in subsection 1-5(2)(b) would also require

that where applicable the foster parent must be granted intervention. We also conclude that a court

has discretion under subsection 1-5(2)(d) to grant intervention as that provision uses “may.” A

circuit court’s decision as to a foster parent’s petition to intervene is reviewed for an abuse of

discretion. See In re M.W., 221 Ill. App. 3d 550, 552 (1991). To the extent, we must interpret the

Act our review is de novo. In re C.C., 2011 IL 111795, ¶ 29.

¶ 52   Before reviewing the merits, we have an independent duty to consider our jurisdiction.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. v. Barth, 103 Ill. 2d 536, 539 (1984). Our jurisdiction analysis will

begin with a consideration of Timothy M.’s notice of appeal.

¶ 53   The notice of appeal “is the jurisdictional step which initiates appellate review”. (Internal

quotation marks omitted.) General Motors Corp. v. Pappas, 242 Ill. 2d 163, 176 (2011). If the

notice of appeal is not proper, this court “lacks jurisdiction over the matter and is obligated to

dismiss the appeal.” Id. The notice “shall specify the judgment or part thereof or other orders

appealed from and the relief sought from the reviewing court”. Ill. S. Ct. R. 303(b)(2) (eff. July 1,

2017). “An unspecified judgment is reviewable if it is a ‘step in the procedural progression leading

to the judgment specified in the notice of appeal.’ ” Taylor v. Peoples Gas Light & Coke Co., 275

Ill. App. 3d 655, 659 (1995) (quoting Burtell v. First Charter Service Corp., 76 Ill. 2d 427, 435

(1979)).

¶ 54   In his notice of appeal, Timothy M. appealed solely from the order which denied his motion

to reconsider the court’s rulings on February 14, 2023, which included the disposition order,

finding the father fit and returning M.R. to the father’s care, and the order denying Timothy M.’s

requests to change the goal to substitute care and to remove Child Link. The notice of appeal does

allow us to consider these orders as steps in the procedural progression to the denial of the motion

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to reconsider these orders. See In re Marriage of King, 336 Ill. App. 3d 83, 87 (2002). We also

find that the notice of appeal allows us to consider Timothy M.’s claims on appeal as to errors in

the permanency hearing itself, specifically that he was prevented from presenting evidence relating

to the Whistleblower Act and ground j and was barred from portions of the hearing because he was

not given full party status.

¶ 55    However, Timothy M. did not appeal from the separate order vacating the order granting

him intervenor status which was entered on the same day that the court denied his motion to

reconsider. Therefore, we do not have jurisdiction over that order. Additionally, although

Timothy M. in his supplemental brief challenges the subsequent decision to place M.R. with the

aunt and raises criticisms of the proceeding on June 6, 2023, we do not have appellate jurisdiction

over any action taken after the denial of Timothy M.’s motion to reconsider.

¶ 56    Next, as to our jurisdiction, the GAL, the mother, and the father contend that this court

lacks jurisdiction to review the denial of Timothy M.’s request to change the permanency goal to

substitute care. We do not agree.

¶ 57    Generally, permanency orders are interlocutory, nonfinal orders, not subject to an appeal

as of right under Supreme Court Rule 301 (eff. Feb. 1, 1994). In re Curtis B., 203 Ill. 2d 53, 59-60

(2002). Supreme Court Rule 306(a)(5) (eff. Oct. 1, 2020) allows a party to file a petition for leave

to appeal from an interlocutory permanency order. The petition must be filed within 14 days from

the entry or denial of the order setting the permanency goal (Ill. S. Ct. R. 306(b)(1) (eff. Oct. 1,

2020); the time for filing the petition is not extended by the filing of a motion for reconsideration

(In re Leonard R., 351, Ill. App. 3d 172, 174-75 (2004)).

¶ 58    In this case, the court entered a permanency goal of return home within 5 months on April

19, 2022. This was an interlocutory order which was subject to change until the goal was met and

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was appealable only under Rule 306(b)(1). On February 14, the court entered a disposition order

which returned M.R. to the father and therefore the court had determined the permanency goal had

been met. After returning M.R. to the father’s care, the court, in a separate order, denied Timothy

M.’s request to change the permanency goal to substitute care. The decision to deny the goal

change corresponded and was consistent with the disposition order returning M.R. home to the

father. On appeal, Timothy M. asks this court to reverse the disposition order and grant his motion

for a change of the permanency goal or remand for a new permanency hearing. Under these

particular circumstances where the goal of return home was met and the circuit court entered a

disposition order, which is appealable under Supreme Court 301 (eff. Feb. 1, 1994), we conclude

that we have appellate jurisdiction to consider what relief if any Timothy’s M. may be entitled to

as to his motion to change the permanency goal in the event we reverse the disposition order. See

In re Faith B., 216 Ill 2d 1 (2005).

¶ 59   Finally, we turn to reviewing our jurisdiction under principles of mootness. We asked the

parties to file supplemental briefs on the question of whether M.R.’s new placement and the orders

of June 6 and August 21, 2023 render the issues raised and the relief requested by Timothy M.

moot. Timothy M., the GAL, and the father filed supplemental briefs and the mother adopted the

supplemental briefs of the GAL and the father. The State has not filed any briefs in this case.

¶ 60   As a general proposition, Illinois appellate courts will not review moot cases. American

Service Insurance Co. v. City of Chicago, 404 Ill. App. 3d 769, 781 (2010).”An appeal is moot if

no actual controversy exists or when events have occurred that make it impossible for the

reviewing court to render effectual relief.” Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Illinois Commerce

Comm’n, 2016 IL 118129, ¶ 10. “The existence of an actual controversy is an essential requisite

to appellate jurisdiction, and courts of review will generally not decide abstract, hypothetical, or

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No. 1-23-1059

moot questions.” In re Marriage of Nienhouse, 355 Ill. App. 3d 146, 149 (2004). A case should be

dismissed when “the issues have ceased to exist” and the appellate court cannot grant any effectual

relief. Hanna v. City of Chicago, 382 Ill. App. 3d 672, 676 (2008). There are three exceptions to

the mootness doctrine: the public interest exception, the capable of repetition yet avoiding review

exception; and the collateral consequences exception. In re Alfred H.H., 233 Ill. 2d 345, 351

(2009). Whether a case is moot is an issue we review de novo. Benz v. Department of Children

and Family Services, 2015 IL App (1st) 130414, ¶ 31.

¶ 61   In the parties’ supplemental briefing, the father, the mother, and the GAL agree that

Timothy M.’s appeal from the disposition order, which found the father fit and returned M.R. to

his care is now moot. Although Timothy M. indicated in his initial brief that his appeal from the

disposition order may be moot in light of the June 6 proceedings, he takes a different position in

his supplemental and reply briefs and urges this court to review the February 14 disposition order.

¶ 62   However, the relief that Timothy M. seeks on appeal is the reversal of the February 14

disposition order, which found that the father was fit and returned M.R. to his care with an order

of protection. That disposition order no longer exists. On June 6, the circuit court found the father

had violated the order of protection, vacated the order of protection, and entered a modified

disposition order. The modified disposition order found the father unable and unwilling to care for

M.R. M.R. was then placed with the aunt and is no longer in the care of the father. Due to these

changes in circumstances, we are now unable to grant effectual relief as we cannot reverse the

disposition returning M.R. home as it is no longer in effect. See In re Rayshawn H., 2014 IL App

(1st) 132178, ¶ 39 (holding that respondent’s challenge to the disposition order, finding respondent

unable and adjudging the minor a ward of the court under the guardianship of DCFS, was moot

where respondent was subsequently found fit, willing, and able and the minor was returned home)

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No. 1-23-1059

(citing In re Christopher K., 217 Ill. 2d 348, 358-59 (2005)). Further, Timothy M.’s claims that

the circuit court erroneously barred him from the permanency hearing during testimony relating to

the mother and the father’s treatment and services and precluded him from presenting evidence as

to their adultery (ground j) are also moot. Timothy M. made these arguments on appeal in support

of his request that we reverse the disposition order finding that the father was fit and returning

M.R. to the father.

¶ 63   Timothy M. contends review of the disposition order is necessary because the June 6

finding that the father is unfit “vindicates” his arguments at the permanency hearing. This

argument actually supports a finding that Timothy M.’s challenge to the circuit court’s finding of

fitness in the disposition order is now moot. He also argues that M.R.’s placement with the aunt is

not in M.R.’s best interest but the placement with the aunt is not before us.

¶ 64   Timothy M.’s supplemental brief does not offer any arguments that an exception to the

mootness doctrine applies to his appeal from the disposition order. He therefore has forfeited any

argument that his appeal as to the disposition order falls within an exception and we find that his

appeal from that order is moot and must be dismissed. See Department of Central Management

Services v. Illinois Labor Relations Board, 2012 IL App (4th) 110356, ¶ 26.

¶ 65   The GAL has taken the position that the appeal from the denial of Timothy M.’s motion to

change the permanency goal to substitute care is not moot. The GAL reasons the current goal of

guardianship remains open for reexamination and revision and so it is still possible that the goal

could be changed to substitute care. We disagree with the GAL.

¶ 66   Even accepting that the guardianship goal is subject to change, what is before us is the

denial of Timothy M.’s motion to change the prior permanency goal of return home within 5

months to substitute care. He is asking us to reverse the denial of his motion and change the goal

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No. 1-23-1059

to substitute care. However, guardianship and not return home is the current goal. The arguments

and evidence which are before this court pertaining to Timothy M.’s motion did not concern or

address any possible request to change the goal of guardianship to substitute care. The father, based

on new evidence, has now been found unable and unwilling to care for M.R. M.R. has been living

in a home with the aunt, O.R., and other relatives for over six months. While this appeal has been

pending, the circuit court held a permanency hearing, which resulted in the guardianship goal

based on evidence related to M.R. and his current living environment and progress. From what we

know from the status report filed by the State, the court in choosing the guardianship goal did not

follow the GAL’s recommendation that the goal be substitute care. We decline to consider the

denial of the motion to change the permanency goal from return home to substitute care in that the

decision was based on circumstances that no longer exist.

¶ 67   The father argues that the changes in the circumstances prevent us from granting Timothy

M.’s request that we remand this matter with directions to the circuit court to place M.R. with the

foster parents. We agree with the father.

¶ 68   As discussed, the proceedings below are now in the permanency phase with a permanency

hearing scheduled in March 2024. The father maintains that during this stage, the circuit court

cannot order a specific placement of M.R. with anyone, including the foster parents. See In re B.S.,

2021 IL App (5th) 200039, ¶ 31 ((citing In re M.V., 288 Ill. App. 3d 300, 306 (1997) (section 2-

28(2) of the Act precludes the juvenile court from ordering specific placements “after DCFS has

been appointed guardian of the minor”)). The father further argues that although section 1-5(2)(b)

of the Act allows a court to place a minor with a foster parent, the authority to do so is limited. 705

ILCS 405/1-5(2)(b) (West 2022) This section allows a foster parent to file a motion to intervene

to seek placement of the minor with the foster parent if there is a motion to return the minor to a

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No. 1-23-1059

person found to have caused the minor neglect or abuse. Id. We cannot direct the circuit court to

place M.R. with the foster parents in that the case is in the permanency stage and the requirements

of section 1-5(2)(b) (Id.) do not now exist. See In re R.M., 288 Ill. App. 3d 811 (1997). There is

no pending motion to return M.R. to the mother or the father. Further even if there is a possibility

that such a motion could still be made, Timothy M. no longer has intervenor status. As noted, the

circuit court vacated the order granting him that status and he has not appealed from that order.

¶ 69   Similarly, we are prevented from remanding with directions that the circuit court grant

Timothy M. full intervenor status in that he no longer has intervenor status at all in the circuit

court. He may, however, still have recourse in the circuit court by filing a new motion to intervene

under any applicable subsection of section 1-5(2) of the Act.

¶ 70   As to Timothy M.’s appeal from the denial of his request to remove Child Link, the GAL,

the father, and the mother agree that the appeal is moot because the circuit court has now removed

Child Link as the monitoring agency and as a result a new agency has been appointed. We agree

that we cannot give Timothy M. effectual relief as the agency has already been removed, rendering

this issue moot. And because the appeal from the denial of the motion to remove Child Link is

moot, the arguments relating to this issue are moot, including Timothy M.’s contentions on appeal

that the court erred in preventing him from presenting evidence and arguments as to Child Link’s

alleged violations of the Whistleblower Act.

¶ 71   In his supplemental brief, Timothy M. appears to contend that the motion to remove Child

Link is not moot because the foster parents may be entitled to back wages and attorney fees under

the Whistleblower Act. Mootness would not preclude our consideration of this issue if there was

a “live controversy” relating to money damages as there would be the possibility of effectual relief.

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No. 1-23-1059

Strauss v. City of Chicago, 2022 IL 127149, ¶ 53. Timothy M.’s argument fails in that there is no

live controversy as to damages under the Whistleblower Act.

¶ 72   Timothy M. did raise the Whistleblower Act at various stages of the case. He first raised it

in his response to DCFS’s motion to reconsider the September 1, 2022 order where he argued that

Child Link in removing M.R. had retaliated against the foster parents for their allegations of

misconduct against the agency in violation of the Whistleblower Act. At the hearing on the motion

to reconsider, the circuit court found that the Whistleblower Act did not apply. Timothy M. later

sought to inject Child Link’s alleged violations of the Whistleblower Act into the permanency

hearing in support of his motion to remove Child Link. Even assuming Timothy M. could allege a

valid Whistleblower action for damages and such a suit could be brought in this matter, there is no

Whistleblower action before us, and Timothy M. did not seek to bring one. There is no basis to

award damages.

¶ 73   Timothy M. also argues that it would be against public policy to find his motion to remove

Child Link moot. He maintains that foster parents will be discouraged from reporting improper

conduct of case managers if his motion is not resolved by this court. The argument does not change

our conclusion that we are unable to grant the relief requested in Timothy M.’s motion to remove

Child Link from the case, as Child Link has been removed and replaced as the monitoring agency.

¶ 74   Timothy M. has not explicitly argued that an exception to the mootness doctrine applies to

the denial of his motion to remove Child Link. Timothy M. may be attempting to claim the issue

falls within the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine when he argues that the issue

should be reviewed for public policy reasons. He must do more than assert public policy. The

public interest exception applies where there is a showing that the question involved has a public

nature; the circumstances are likely to recur; and an authoritative determination for guidance is

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No. 1-23-1059

desirable. In re Adoption of Walgreen, 186 Ill. 2d 362, 365 (2009). This exception is construed

narrowly and a clear showing of each element is required. Id. Timothy M. has failed to make a

clear showing of each element and has therefore failed to demonstrate that the public interest

exception to the mootness doctrine applies.

¶ 75   For the foregoing reasons, we conclude this appeal is moot and we must dismiss this appeal.

¶ 76   Appeal dismissed.

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