(730 ILCS 5/3-2.7-15)

Sec. 3-2.7-15. Appointment of Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson. The Governor shall appoint the Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 4 years, with the first term expiring February 1, 2017. A person appointed as Ombudsperson may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms. A vacancy shall occur upon resignation, death, or removal. The Ombudsperson may only be removed by the Governor for incompetency, malfeasance, neglect of duty, or conviction of a felony. If the Senate is not in session or is in recess when an appointment subject to its confirmation is made, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment which shall be subject to subsequent Senate approval. The Ombudsperson may employ deputies to perform, under the direction of the Ombudsperson, the same duties and exercise the same powers as the Ombudsperson, and may employ other support staff as deemed necessary. The Ombudsperson and deputies must:

(1) be over the age of 21 years;

(2) have a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university; and

(3) have relevant expertise in areas such as the juvenile justice system, investigations, or civil rights advocacy as evidenced by experience in the field or by academic background.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)