(755 ILCS 43/20)

Sec. 20. Signatures required.

(a) A declaration is effective only if it is signed by the principal, and 2 competent adult witnesses. The witnesses must attest that the principal is known to them, signed the declaration in their presence and appears to be of sound mind and not under duress, fraud or undue influence. Persons specified in Section 65 of this Act may not act as witnesses.

(b) The signature and execution requirements set forth in this Act are satisfied by: (i) written signatures or initials; or (ii) electronic signatures or computer-generated signature codes. Electronic documents under this Act may be created, signed, or revoked electronically using a generic, technology-neutral system in which each user is assigned a unique identifier that is securely maintained and in a manner that meets the regulatory requirements for a digital or electronic signature. Compliance with the standards defined in the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the implementing rules of the Hospital Licensing Act for medical record entry authentication for author validation of the documentation, content accuracy, and completeness meets this standard.

(Source: P.A. 101-163, eff. 1-1-20; 102-38, eff. 6-25-21.)