Disability Rights Groups | Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
Resource Name:Disability Rights Groups | Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
address
401 Main Street, Suite 620, Peoria, IL 61602
Eligibility
The Commission serves Illinois residents with disabilities (including mental health conditions) or special education needs—along with their families, caregivers, and service providers—when legal advocacy, guardianship, rights protection, or investigation is required.
Hours
Main Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
After hours support also available via 866-503-9078
Website
https://gac.illinois.govLanguages
English with accommodations for other languages
Application process
Please call.
Fees
None
Service area
All ZIP Codes, IL
61611, IL
The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission fulfills four core roles:
1. Office of State Guardian (OSG) Substituted Decision-Maker:
*Provides guardianship for individuals with a disability who would not have a guardian otherwise (court finds no family or other individuals willing or able to help)
*Provides Information & Referral assistance related to guardianship inquiries through its toll-free intake line
*Offers training on guardianship and guardianship alternatives
2. Legal Advocacy Service (LAS)--Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities:
*Acts as legal advocate for those with mental health conditions to protect their mental health rights
*Handles appeals of civil mental health court cases
*Educates the public on mental health rights
*Assists with advanced directives (Living Will, Mental Health Treatment Preference Declaration, Power of Attorney for Health Care, and Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
3. Human Rights Authority (HRA)--Citizens Helping Citizens:
Assists those whose human rights have been violated in treatment/assisted-living facilities and other settings
*Investigates the complaints of disability rights violations that involve-
-A person with a disability (any age, any type of disability)
-Disability rights protected by law, regulations, or policies
-A disability service provider
Anyone can file a complaint by contacting the Commission or filing an online complaint
4. Special Education Initiative: A Collaboration of LAS and HRA:
*Created to help families navigate special education through training, advocacy, and legal support
Last Assured
11/25/2025
What's Here
Providing organization
Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission fulfills four core roles:
1. Office of State Guardian (OSG) Substituted Decision-Maker:
*Provides guardianship for individuals with a disability who would not have a guardian otherwise (court finds no family or other individuals willing or able to help)
*Provides Information & Referral assistance related to guardianship inquiries through its toll-free intake line
*Offers training on guardianship and guardianship alternatives
2. Legal Advocacy Service (LAS)--Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities:
*Acts as legal advocate for those with mental health conditions to protect their mental health rights
*Handles appeals of civil mental health court cases
*Educates the public on mental health rights
*Assists with advanced directives (Living Will, Mental Health Treatment Preference Declaration, Power of Attorney for Health Care, and Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
3. Human Rights Authority (HRA)--Citizens Helping Citizens:
Assists those whose human rights have been violated in treatment/assisted-living facilities and other settings
*Investigates the complaints of disability rights violations that involve-
-A person with a disability (any age, any type of disability)
-Disability rights protected by law, regulations, or policies
-A disability service provider
Anyone can file a complaint by contacting the Commission or filing an online complaint
4. Special Education Initiative: A Collaboration of LAS and HRA:
*Created to help families navigate special education through training, advocacy, and legal support