IN RE M.I.

Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Lisa Madigan , Attorney General, of Springfield, and Jerry Brady , State's Attorney, of Peoria ( Carolyn E. Shapiro and David L. Franklin , Solicitors General, and Daniel J. Hartweg , Assistant Attorney General, of Chicago, and Patrick Delfino , Terry A. Mertel , and Laura E. DeMichael Bialon , of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, of counsel), for the People.

Susan K. O'Neal , of Peoria, for appellee.

Robert F. Harris , Kass A. Plain , and John David Jarrett , of the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, of Chicago, for amicus curiae Cook County Public Guardian.

Barry C. Taylor , Laura J. Miller , and Jin-Ho Chung , of Equip for Equality, of Chicago, amicus curiae.

Diane Redleaf , of Chicago, for amicus curiae Family Defense Center et al.

Chief Justice Karmeier and Justices Freeman, Thomas, Kilbride, Burke, and Theis concurred in the judgment and opinion.