Guardians ad Litem

Updated First Circuit GAL List - April 7, 2026

To apply for appointment as a GAL in the First Circuit, please fill out the Application for Appointment by following the link below.

Child Representative - GAL Information Sheet - Application for Appointment

Contact Brenda Sprague with questions: email: b.sprague.fjc@gmail.com phone: 618-997-1234

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GAL TRAINING APPROVED FOR IL FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

The following is a 10-hour GAL Training Series approved by First Judicial Circuit Chief Judge William J. Thurston. The series is valid training for application for appointment as a GAL in the First Judicial Circuit.
The series is approved by the Chief Circuit Judge of the following Circuits in Illinois: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 24th.

Special Note: Interviewing Children and Youth Parts 1 and 2 are only available to the following view groups: Judges, Guardians ad Litem and Child Representatives (Public Defenders, State's Attorneys, and Parent Attorneys). These webinars will require a PATH learning management system account to access. If you have questions regarding the PATH Learning System for the Interviewing Children sessions part 1 or 2, you may contact the Judicial College at JudicialCollege@illinoiscourts.gov. CLE Parts 1 and 2 will expire February 1, 2028.

Interviewing Children and Youth part 1 (1.5 hours) - PATH Learning System

Interviewing Children and Youth part 2 (1.5 hours) - PATH Learning System

Child Development Considerations and Communication to the Court for Guardians ad Litem (2.5 hours) - Unfortunately this course is not available. Please scroll to the bottom of this web page for a list of alternative courses to choose from.

SAFeR - A Systematic Approach to Addressing IPV in Child Custody and Parenting Time Cases (3 hours) - Recorded Training is available at this link. This training is valid through June 11, 2026 (recorded live May 3, 2024, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm). There will be a code provided in the recording that participants will need to note to confirm their completion. In addition to this code, this SAFeR Evaluation Form will need to be completed and submitted to CIPTraining@illinoiscourts.gov after viewing the recorded training. Handouts to accompany this training: IL GAL Training 2024 Handout Book; Instructions for IL GAL Training 2024 Handout Book
Email Brenda Sprague with issues concerning access to links provided. CLE will expire June 11, 2026.

The Role of a GAL: What A Judge Wants (1.5 hours) - Recorded Training is available at this link. This training is valid through June 11, 2026 (recorded live June 24, 2024, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm). There will be a code provided in the recording that participants will need to note to confirm their completion. In addition to this code, this The Role of a GAL What a Judge Wants Evaluation Form will need to be completed and submitted to CIPTraining@illinoiscourts.gov after viewing the recorded training. Handouts to accompany this training: PowerPoint The Role of the Guardian ad Litem; De-escalation Handout; De-Escalation Resources
Email Brenda Sprague with issues concerning access to links provided. CLE will expire June 24, 2026.

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Alternative Courses available to fulfill the unavailable Child Development Considerations and Communication to the Court for Guardians ad Litem (2.5 hours)
The courses below are available to fulfill the requirement for the unavailable course.

Sovereign Citizens: Ensuring Procedural Fairness and Effectiveness in Child Welfare Proceedings – 1.5 Diversity and Inclusion Professional Responsibility CLE

https://www.pathlms.com/aoic/courses/87219

Target Audience: