Episode 17 With Celeste K. Jones

Celeste K. Jones is an attorney with almost 25 years of experience advocating for the most vulnerable citizens of Cook County.  Celeste has served her entire career at the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian's Office protecting abused, neglected and dependent children and serving the needs and welfare of adults with disabilities.  Celeste has also served most of her career in leadership and supervisory roles and currently serves as Legal Director of the Adult Guardianship Division of the Cook County Public Guardian's office.  Celeste was raised on Chicago's west side and now resides on the south side.  Celeste earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Criminology from Northern Illinois University and her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.  In this episode, Celeste shares with the audience exactly what Guardianship is and why someone would need a Public Guardian.  Along with sharing how it is decided that someone is deemed incapacitated, Celeste thoroughly explains how guardianship over the estate and person works.  Depending on the capacity of the client, public guardians can make decision on behalf of the client around their finances, their health care decisions, their property, etc.  Celeste stresses the importance of leaving the client with their dignity by listening and taking in to account their wishes on who should or should not be appointed guardian.  Since guardianship is a serious matter, Celeste lays out what is required to serve as a guardian both from the Public Guardian's standpoint, along with the guidelines other appointed guardians must adhere to.  The key components that must be in place include securing the services of an attorney and getting bonded. Celeste shares the following resources – Adult Protective Services Hotline – 866/800-1409; Cook County Public

Guardian Adult Guardianship Division – 312/603-0800; CARPLS (Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services); Metropolitan Family Services Legal Aid Society; Illinois Legal Aid Online; Center for Disability and Elder Law and John Marshall UIC Law School Fair Housing Clinic.