(755 ILCS 5/13-3.1) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 13-3.1)

Sec. 13-3.1. Compensation of public guardian.

(a) In counties having a population in excess of 1,000,000 the public guardian shall be paid an annual salary, to be set by the County Board at a figure not to exceed the salary of the public defender for the county. All expenses connected with the operation of the office shall be subject to the approval of the County Board and shall be paid from the county treasury. All fees collected shall be paid into the county treasury.

(b) In counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less the public guardian shall receive all the fees of his office and bear the expenses connected with the operation of the office. A public guardian shall be entitled to reasonable and appropriate compensation for services related to guardianship duties but all fees must be reviewed and approved by the court. A public guardian may petition the court for the payment of reasonable and appropriate fees. In counties having a population of 1,000,000 or less, the public guardian shall do so on not less than a yearly basis, or sooner as approved by the court. Any fees or expenses charged by a public guardian shall be documented through billings and maintained by the guardian and supplied to the court for review. In considering the reasonableness of any fee petition brought by a public guardian under this Section, the court shall consider the following:

(1) the powers and duties assigned to the public guardian by the court;

(2) the necessity of any services provided;

(3) the time required, the degree of difficulty, and the experience needed to complete the task;

(4) the needs of the ward and the costs of alternatives; and

(5) other facts and circumstances material to the best interests of the ward or his or her estate.

(c) When the public guardian is appointed as the temporary guardian of an adult with a disability pursuant to an emergency petition under circumstances when the court finds that the immediate establishment of a temporary guardianship is necessary to protect the health, welfare, or estate of the adult with a disability, the public guardian shall be entitled to reasonable and appropriate fees, as determined by the court, for the period of the temporary guardianship, including fees directly associated with establishing the temporary guardianship.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)