Who watches the guardians? Sadly the Answer is No One

Who watches the guardians? County program helps those in need, but lacks accountability.

By LAURA GIRRESCH and MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat
St. Clair County's guardianship system, designed to protect the interests of people who are unable to handle their own affairs, is beset by poor record-keeping and little oversight and accountability, an examination by the Belleville News-Democrat found.

In one example, John F. Pawloski, a Belleville attorney, was accused of writing more than $50,000 worth of unexplained checks from a dead person's estate and stealing $6,300 from a disabled adult while serving as St. Clair County's public guardian.

A study by lawyers, judges and state legislators in 2001 also identified major problems with adult guardianship in Illinois. It found that training is not routinely provided for guardians, many public guardians are overburdened, and guardian performance is poorly monitored.

"There's no question we have a guardianship system, I think, that's pretty broken," said Zena Naiditch, president of Equip for Equality, a legal advocacy group for disabled people in Illinois.
The problems are expected to multiply as Baby Boomers reach retirement age, and millions more war veterans require help because of old age, substance abuse and mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abridged red it all here=>>

John Pawloski outside the St. Clair County courthouse. - Derik Holtmann/BND
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Since then, nothing has been done to address the problems, experts say.

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Nothing has been done, could it be that nobody cares! what the heck these are old people what do they need money anyhow, they won't spend it, how much better for the economy when this money is taken from old people and put in circulation by guardians who buy cars,houses and put the money in circulation!