{
  "id": 4292303,
  "name": "In re TORSKI C., a Person Found Subject to Involuntary Admission (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Torski C., Respondent-Appellant)",
  "name_abbreviation": "People v. Torski C.",
  "decision_date": "2009-11-17",
  "docket_number": "No. 4\u201408\u20140952",
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    "parties": [
      "In re TORSKI C., a Person Found Subject to Involuntary Admission (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Torski C., Respondent-Appellant)."
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    "opinions": [
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        "text": "JUSTICE APPLETON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nIn November 2008, a petition was filed for the emergency involuntary admission of respondent, Torski C., alleging he was mentally ill, unable to understand his need for treatment because of the nature of his illness, and reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct. In December 2008, the trial court conducted a hearing and granted the petition. The court ordered respondent hospitalized for no more than 90 days.\nRespondent appeals, claiming the applicable statutory sections are void for vagueness, facially unconstitutional, and unconstitutional as applied. We hold the definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d set forth in section 1 \u2014 104.5 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code (Mental Health Code) (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)) void for vagueness. Further, we hold the application of that definition in section 1 \u2014 119 of the Mental Health Code violates substantive due process. We vacate as void the court\u2019s order temporarily committing respondent to a mental-health institution.\nI. BACKGROUND\nOn November 19, 2008, respondent\u2019s mother filed a petition seeking respondent\u2019s involuntary admission to a mental-health facility pursuant to section 3 \u2014 700 of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 700 (West 2008)). The petition sought respondent\u2019s immediate hospitalization and alleged he was mentally ill and, because of his illness, he was (1) reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct (see 405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(1) (West 2008)) and (2) unable to understand his need for treatment and, if he was not treated, he would be expected to suffer mental or emotional deterioration to the point that he would reasonably be expected to engage in dangerous conduct (see 405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3) (West 2008)). The petition also alleged respondent had been experiencing paranoid delusions of people trying to break into his home to kill him.\nThe trial court ordered respondent detained at Memorial Medical Center for examination. By the next day, respondent had been evaluated by three qualified examiners, who all had determined that respondent was in need of inpatient mental-health care due to his delusions and paranoia. All examiners were concerned that defendant would harm himself, or someone else, with the firearm that he admittedly carried for protection. A report of the examination performed by psychiatrist Stacey Horstman indicated that respondent had been hospitalized between July 31, 2008, and August 12, 2008, for psychiatric care. No other psychiatric history was indicated. On December 2, 2008, Dr. Aura M. Eberhardt, a psychiatrist at McFarland Mental Health Center (McFarland), examined respondent and formed the same opinion as the previous examiners.\nOn December 5, 2008, the trial court conducted a hearing on the petition for involuntary hospitalization. The State moved to strike the allegation filed pursuant to section 1 \u2014 119(1) of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(1) (West 2008)) and proceeded only on the allegation filed pursuant to section 1 \u2014 119(3) (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3) (West 2008) (\u201c[a] person with mental illness who, because of the nature of his or her illness, is unable to understand his or her need for treatment and who, if not treated, is reasonably expected to suffer or continue to suffer mental deterioration or emotional deterioration, or both, to the point that the person is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct\u201d)).\nRespondent\u2019s mother, Cassie Elston, testified that respondent was 31 years old and lived in his own apartment. She said in the past four or five months, respondent had become delusional. He reported (1) seeing an angel sitting on a nearby power station before it flew into his apartment, (2) he saw \u201c[ljittle bitty people,\u201d (3) he went to heaven and laid on God\u2019s feet, and (4) God speaks directly to him. Elston said: \u201cSince [respondent] has been ill, he lives by that Bible.\u201d He had warned her that he will do whatever God tells him to do, including killing his 15-month-old son. Elston said her nephew, Barron Rice (a father figure to respondent), had been murdered three years earlier. Initially, after the murder, respondent was very angry. However, in the past few months, he had become delusional. Respondent told Elston that God had identified those responsible for the murder. God told him he needed to leave town because either someone was going to kill him or he was going to kill someone. For that reason, according to Elston, respondent carried a gun on his person at all times.\nElston said that in addition to Rice\u2019s murder, respondent had endured other personal traumatic experiences, such as his close friend having been sentenced to prison, a breakup with his girlfriend, and the birth of his child. She said respondent had \u201cso much on his plate\u201d that \u201che kind of flipped out.\u201d Prior to these events, \u201c[t]here was never anything wrong with his mind.\u201d Elston believed \u201cthat with medication [respondent\u2019s] mind would be different.\u201d Respondent had recognized his problem and asked to see a doctor, but he was unable to get an appointment for several months.\nAura Eberhardt, a psychiatrist, testified that respondent was admitted to McFarland on November 20, 2008, and examined by her on December 2, 2008. She diagnosed respondent with psychosis, not otherwise specified, due to his paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations. According to respondent\u2019s medical records, he had told another psychiatrist that he was \u201cplotting to do evil to the guys that killed his cousin.\u201d He believed his best friend had placed recording devices in his home to record his prayers. Dr. Eberhardt feared that respondent would act on his paranoid delusions and harm himself or others. In her opinion, if respondent did not receive treatment, he would suffer or continue to suffer mental or emotional deterioration. She said respondent denied having a psychiatric illness or needing treatment; however, she believed he lacked the capacity to understand his need for treatment.\nDr. Eberhardt reported that on November 29, 2008, respondent slapped a female patient\u2019s face. She again opined that respondent was in need of involuntary hospitalization to prevent further harm to himself and others. She had formulated a treatment plan, which she described as the least-restrictive alternative. She believed that once respondent was stabilized with treatment, he would do well in a group home.\nOn cross-examination, Dr. Eberhardt denied that religious ideas were an exception to the concept of a delusion. She said respondent had been attending group sessions and she had not yet prescribed any medication for respondent. The State rested.\nRespondent testified on his own behalf and stated that he had graduated from high school and barber school. He had been a barber for nine years. He said he did not intend to kill anyone and denied that God had told him to do so. Respondent said he has talked to God and God talks to him, but in the context of prayer. He said he did not recall the conversation with his mother about his son but, if they had the conversation, it was most likely in the context of a Biblical story. He admitted that he would do whatever God asked him to do because he wanted to \u201cwin favor in God\u2019s eyes.\u201d When asked if he would kill his son if God asked him to, respondent stated:\n\u201cI\u2019m pleading the [fjifth [amendment] for that in the court of law, and as I just stated, I would not want to kill my son. I would want to teach my son values in life and why would I want to kill my son? I just stated not long ago[,] I would prefer to teach my son values. My aim is not to kill my son or kill no man for that reason. I strive to be a righteous man as I have told her before.\u201d\nRespondent clarified that when he told his mother that he had seen angels, he meant that he had seen \u201cthe light.\u201d He did not mean that he saw angels fly. He said he has an angel watching over him at all times. He did not recall the conversation with his mother about seeing \u201clittle people.\u201d He stated:\n\u201cNo. I have never told my mother little people was [sic] coming into my apartment. I told my mother that these guys would \u2014 I have stated before \u2014 were out to kill me and that they had plotted on coming into my home to kill me, to even come into my home to kill me is what I told her.\u201d\nRespondent said he was certain that some men \u201chere in town\u201d were trying to kill him. He asked his mother for help to move away, saying that he feared that either he would be killed or he would kill someone in self-defense. He denied carrying a gun with him at all times but admitted carrying a knife. He kept his gun at his apartment. He named for the court some of the men that he claimed wanted to kill him \u2014 those who were responsible for Rice\u2019s murder.\nRespondent testified that the altercation at McFarland started when the female taunted him, calling him a \u201cnigger\u201d and cursing at him. He had warned her that he would slap her if she continued. She continued, \u201cso [he] went over there and [he] slapped her as [he] told her [he] would.\u201d He said he felt that he was in control of himself, although he could not deny that he could be involved in dangerous conduct. He said that if the people that are \u201cout for\u201d him attack him, he would be involved in dangerous conduct. He said his friend had placed recording devices in his home and had stolen several copies of his house keys. He said the friend knew respondent \u201cslept hard and he could sneak around in [his] house.\u201d He said he has been in danger in the last few months.\nThe trial court questioned respondent as follows:\n\u201cTHE COURT: Now, you testified just a few moments ago that you would get up in the middle of the night and hit \u2014 what did you say you hit?\nA. No. I testified that my friend would tell me I should get up in the middle of the night and punch on my punching bag. I never said that I did. I said that he said that \u2014 he used to try to advise me and tell me, \u2018Man, you should get up in the middle of the night and punch on that punching bag\u2019, and it wouldn\u2019t be just me and him around a lot of the times when he said this. Somebody may say or if I said, \u2018Why that [sic]?\u2019 \u2018Man, you never know how a fight might break out, somebody in your house when you\u2019re sleeping\u2019, you know what I\u2019m saying? \u2018You better change your locks.\u2019 So he was prepping me in case I woke up and one of his brothers or one of his associates was in my house, you know what I\u2019m saying?\nTHE COURT: Is that what you behoved?\nA. Yes, yes.\u201d\nRespondent rested.\nAfter considering the evidence and arguments of counsel, the trial court held the State had proved the allegations in the petition by clear and convincing evidence. The court ordered respondent involuntarily hospitalized for mental-health treatment at McFarland for a period not to exceed 90 days. This appeal followed.\nII. ANALYSIS\nA. Mootness\nInitially, we note this case is moot. The trial court\u2019s order of December 5, 2008, authorizing respondent\u2019s involuntary hospitalization was limited to a period of 90 days. That period has since passed. However, a reviewing court may review otherwise moot issues pursuant to the public-interest exception to the mootness doctrine. In re Andrea F., 208 Ill. 2d 148, 156, 802 N.E.2d 782, 787 (2003). \u201cThe criteria for application of the public[-]interest exception are: (1) the public nature of the question; (2) the desirability of an authoritative determination for the purpose of guiding public officers; and (3) the likelihood that the question will recur.\u201d Andrea F., 208 Ill. 2d at 156, 802 N.E.2d at 787.\nThe issue in this case falls within the public-interest exception as respondent has raised constitutional questions concerning the construction of sections 1 \u2014 119(3) and 1 \u2014 104.5 of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3), 1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)). See In re Robert S., 213 Ill. 2d 30, 45-46, 820 N.E.2d 424, 433-34 (2004) (procedures to be followed for the involuntary treatment of an individual involve matters of substantial public concern and are oftentimes reviewable under the public-interest exception to the mootness doctrine). Therefore, we will proceed to review the case on the merits. The standard of review for constitutional questions, like other questions of law, is de novo. People ex rel. Department of Corrections v. Millard, 335 Ill. App. 3d 1066, 1070, 782 N.E.2d 966, 969 (2003).\nB. Involuntary-Commitment Standards\nIt is well established that the imposition of involuntary mental-health services implicate an individual\u2019s substantial liberty interests. Robert S., 213 Ill. 2d at 46, 820 N.E.2d at 434. The individual\u2019s liberty interests must be balanced against the State\u2019s interests (1) to provide care for persons unable to care for themselves and (2) to protect society from dangerous mentally ill persons. In re Robinson, 151 Ill. 2d 126, 130-31, 601 N.E.2d 712, 715 (1992). Civil commitment procedures implicate the State\u2019s parens patriae powers and police powers. The State acts in the role of parens patriae with the purpose of protecting the mentally ill individual by depriving him of his liberty, not to punish him, but to treat him. The State also utilizes its police power to protect its citizens against potentially dangerous acts of mentally ill persons. Lessard v. Schmidt, 349 F. Supp. 1078, 1084 (E.D. Wis. 1972), vacated on other grounds, 414 U.S. 473, 38 L. Ed. 2d 661, 94 S. Ct. 713 (1974). Under both of these powers, the State may, ultimately, deprive a mentally ill individual of his or her fundamental right to liberty. \u201cThus, the procedures set forth in the [Mental Health] Code are a legislative recognition that civil commitment is a deprivation of personal liberty. The purpose of the procedures is to provide adequate safeguards against unreasonable commitment.\u201d In re James, 191 Ill. App. 3d 352, 356, 547 N.E.2d 759, 761 (1989).\nRespondent claims that sections 1 \u2014 119(3) and 1 \u2014 104.5 of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3), 1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)), effective June 1, 2008, violate the due-process clause of the federal constitution. See U.S. Const., amends. V, XIV Specifically, respondent argues that these statutory sections allow the State to involuntarily commit a person who refuses treatment without first requiring proof that he (1) is unable to make a rational decision to refuse treatment and (2) is considered a danger to himself or others. Respondent contends that both sections are facially unconstitutional, void for vagueness, and unconstitutional as applied.\n\u201cWhen analyzing the constitutionality of a statute on review, this court begins with the assumption that the statute is constitutional. [Citation.] *** If reasonably possible, this court has an obligation to construe a statute in a manner that would uphold its constitutionality. [Citation.] *** The party challenging the validity of a statute has the burden of establishing the statute\u2019s constitutional infirmity.\u201d People v. Molnar, 222 Ill. 2d 495, 508-09, 857 N.E.2d 209, 217 (2006). In any case, the burden is great, but it is especially great when the challenged statute addresses an issue in which the State has clearly defined powers, as is the case here. The State has a well-established, legitimate interest under its parens patriae power in providing care to persons unable to care for themselves and also has the authority under its police power to protect the community from mentally ill persons determined to be dangerous. Heller v. Doe, 509 U.S. 312, 332, 125 L. Ed. 2d 257, 278, 113 S. Ct. 2637, 2649 (1993).\nPublic Act 95 \u2014 602 (Pub. Act 95 \u2014 602, \u00a75, eff. June 1, 2008 (2007 Ill. Laws 7839)), effective June 1, 2008, amended section 1 \u2014 119 to provide as follows:\n\u201c \u2018Person subject to involuntary admission\u2019 means:\n(1) A person with mental illness and who because of his or her illness is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct which may include threatening behavior or conduct that places that person or another individual in reasonable expectation of being harmed;\n(2) A person with mental illness and who because of his or her illness is unable to provide for his or her basic physical needs so as to guard himself or herself from serious harm without the assistance of family or outside help; or\n(3) A person with mental illness who, because of the nature of his or her illness, is unable to understand his or her need for treatment and who, if not treated, is reasonably expected to suffer or continue to suffer mental deterioration or emotional deterioration, or both, to the point that the person is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct.\nIn determining whether a person meets the criteria specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3), the court may consider evidence of the person\u2019s repeated past pattern of specific behavior and actions related to the person\u2019s illness.\u201d 405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119 (West 2008).\nThe same public act also added section 1 \u2014 104.5, which provides the following definition:\n\u201c \u2018Dangerous conduct\u2019 means threatening behavior or conduct that places another individual in reasonable expectation of being harmed, or a person\u2019s inability to provide, without the assistance of family or outside help, for his or her basic physical needs so as to guard himself or herself from serious harm.\u201d 405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008) (as adopted by Pub. Act 95 \u2014 602, \u00a75, eff. June 1, 2008 (2007 Ill. Laws 7839)).\nRespondent argues that these amendments to the Mental Health Code are constitutionally infirm because they (1) lack a requirement of imminent dangerousness to self or others; (2) allow commitment upon a finding of the possibility of something less than physical harm, such as financial, mental, or emotional harm; and (3) assume both the respondent\u2019s need for treatment and his refusal of treatment due to his incapacity to refuse treatment. Respondent was involuntarily committed under the third prong of section 1 \u2014 119 (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3) (West 2008)); therefore, that is the only subsection of section 1 \u2014 119 at issue in this case. We note that the State dismissed the count of its petition filed under section 1 \u2014 119(1), which arguably could have been sustained at trial.\nThe United States Supreme Court has declined to prescribe strict boundaries for legislative determinations of what degree of dangerousness is necessary for involuntary commitment. See Developments in the Law: Civil Commitment of the Mentally Ill, 87 Harv. L. Rev. 1190, 1206 (1974) (hereinafter Developments). Those decisions have been left to the states. The highest court has set forth only that our constitution prohibits the involuntary confinement of any person who is not mentally ill and not a danger to himself, others, or society. O\u2019Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563, 575, 45 L. Ed. 2d 396, 406-07, 95 S. Ct. 2486, 2493 (1975); Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418, 429, 60 L. Ed. 2d 323, 333, 99 S. Ct. 1804, 1811 (1979). It is left to the states\u2019 legislatures to prescribe procedures and substance to this general standard.\n\u201cThere may be factual issues to resolve in a commitment proceeding, but the factual aspects represent only the beginning of the inquiry. Whether the individual is mentally ill and dangerous to either himself or others and is in need of confined therapy turns on the meaning of the facts which must be interpreted by expert psychiatrists and psychologists.\u201d (Emphasis in original.) Addington, 441 U.S. at 429, 60 L. Ed. 2d at 333, 99 S. Ct. at 1811. It is testimony from this imprecise science of psychiatry and psychology, together with a trial court\u2019s interpretation of that testimony, that will ultimately determine whether an individual loses his freedom, at least temporarily. Because the science is so imprecise, it is of the utmost importance that the legislature provide strict guidance and precise definitions, to the extent reasonably possible, for the characteristics of those subject to involuntary treatment.\nThe due-process clause may be considered violated if the statute contains no clear standard for determining who may be treated against their will. See Kolender v. Lawson, 461 U.S. 352, 357-58, 75 L. Ed. 2d 903, 909, 103 S. Ct. 1855, 1858 (1983); City of Chicago v. Morales, 177 Ill. 2d 440, 449, 687 N.E.2d 53, 60 (1997), aff\u2019d, 527 U.S. 41, 52, 144 L. Ed. 2d 67, 78, 119 S. Ct. 1849, 1857 (1999) (addressing the constitutionality of loitering statutes). A statute must be narrowly enough drawn that its terms can be given a reasonably precise content and those persons it encompasses can be identified with reasonable accuracy. O\u2019Connor, 422 U.S. at 575, 45 L. Ed. 2d at 407, 95 S. Ct. at 2493. We will analyze the statutes at issue pursuant to these standards.\nC. State\u2019s Parens Patriae Powers\nUnder its parens patriae power, each state inherently has the duty to protect its citizens who cannot protect themselves. See Late Corp. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints v. United States, 136 U.S. 1, 57, 34 L. Ed. 478, 496, 10 S. Ct. 792, 808 (1890). However, this power is not without limit and must satisfy due-process requirements. O\u2019Connor, 422 U.S. at 580, 45 L. Ed. 2d at 410, 95 S. Ct. at 2496. Substantive due process demands that all state actions that affect fundamental liberty interests must be necessary to promote a compelling state interest. Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 155, 35 L. Ed. 2d 147, 178, 93 S. Ct. 705, 728 (1973). To determine whether the amended statutes satisfy due process in the context of the exercise of the State\u2019s police powers, we must analyze the individual factors or elements of the statutes that would ultimately trigger those powers.\n1. Decisional Capacity\nFirst, we address the individual\u2019s capacity to make his or her own treatment decisions. To satisfy due process, it is understood that the State\u2019s powers cannot be extended to those individuals capable of making their own treatment decisions. The State has no interest or authority to assert its parens patriae power over those who can protect themselves. Diminished capacity, erratic behavior, or a mental illness does not necessarily render a person incapable of making rational decisions. O\u2019Connor, 422 U.S. at 575, 45 L. Ed. 2d at 407, 95 S. Ct. at 2493-94. The statute, therefore, must recognize the possibility that some mentally ill patients are capable of making decisions regarding their treatment. Indeed, many forms of mental illness have a specific impact on sufferers, leaving decision-making capacity and the ability to reason unimpaired. See Developments, 87 Harv. L. Rev. at 1214. Thus, it is the nature of the mental illness that becomes pivotal in determining whether a respondent is capable of making his own treatment decisions.\nIn this regard, we find the amended statute satisfies the due-process requirement by specifically requiring proof of the nature of the mental illness and its effect on the decision-making process. See Lessard, 349 F. Supp. at 1094 (a mentally ill patient could have similar capacity to make treatment decisions as a physically ill patient). Thus, as a prerequisite to the exercise of the State\u2019s parens patriae powers, the courts must find that a respondent lacks the ability to make reasonable treatment decisions. This finding can be based upon the mental-health professional\u2019s subjective testimony regarding the particular mental illness from which a respondent suffers.\nIn proceedings to involuntarily commit an individual, the State must prove the necessary allegations, including the nature of the mental illness and its effect on the individual\u2019s decision-making capacity, by clear and convincing evidence. In re Stephenson, 67 Ill. 2d 544, 556, 367 N.E.2d 1273, 1278 (1977). \u201cA factual basis for the medical opinion upon which the decision to commit is based must be judged by a similar standard.\u201d In re Orr, 176 Ill. App. 3d 498, 505, 531 N.E.2d 64, 69 (1988); see also In re Slaughter, 253 Ill. App. 3d 718, 723, 625 N.E.2d 832, 835 (1993) (a medical opinion with a sufficient factual basis may alone constitute clear and convincing evidence).\nGiven these standards, we find section 1 \u2014 119(3) provides sufficient safeguards so as to satisfy due process with regard to addressing only those mentally ill individuals who are incapable of making their own rational treatment decisions. The mental-health professional must provide his or her subjective opinion as to the nature of the respondent\u2019s mental illness and the effect that particular mental illness has on the respondent\u2019s ability to make his or her own treatment decisions. Should the court determine, after considering this testimony, that the respondent is not incompetent, then he or she remains free to refuse treatment.\n2. Mental or Emotional Deterioration\nThe State\u2019s powers of parens patriae are also triggered in the statute\u2019s second factor \u2014 if the mentally ill person is not treated, he or she is reasonably expected to suffer or continue to suffer mental or emotional deterioration. This factor calls for foresight and, again, depends on the subjective testimony of the petitioner and/or a medical professional to explain the consequences of the risks of foregoing treatment. This factor is merely an adjunct to the next factor (the dangerousness of the individual) and is not, in and of itself, needed to satisfy the due-process requirements that are necessary before commitment.\nAs we have previously stated, the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that due process is satisfied if the State proves by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is mentally ill and that he or she requires hospitalization or involuntary treatment for his own welfare and the safety of others. See O\u2019Connor, 422 U.S. at 575, 45 L. Ed. 2d at 407, 95 S. Ct. at 2493; Addington, 441 U.S. at 429, 60 L. Ed. 2d at 333, 99 S. Ct. at 1811. Thus, we need not decide whether the phrase \u201cand who, if not treated, is reasonably expected to suffer or continue to suffer mental deterioration or emotional deterioration, or both, to the point that the person is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct\u201d (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 119(3) (West 2008)) is vague, overbroad, or violative of due-process requirements.\nThis \u201cdeterioration\u201d factor is nothing more than part of the court\u2019s analysis of whether a mentally ill individual poses a sufficient danger in order to be constitutionally confined. The analysis of whether the individual is deteriorating, either mentally or emotionally, should take into account the severity of his or her symptoms, past patterns of behavior, and whether known risk factors exist. As it is part of the analysis of predicting a respondent\u2019s future dangerousness, it is not, in and of itself, a standard subject to constitutional scrutiny. The trial court must determine, based on the testimony provided, whether the respondent is decompensating to the extent that he or she requires involuntary hospitalization and treatment to prevent foreseeable harm.\nThis factor aids the trial court in making a prediction regarding the anticipated risk of harm. \u201cIf predictions could be made with sufficient accuracy [citation] and if the allegedly dangerous individual were accorded the safeguards required by procedural due process [citation], it would seem difficult to argue that society could not act to avoid a serious harm.\u201d Developments, 87 Harv. L. Rev. at 1229 n.150. It is the determination of the degree of harm and the extent of the respondent\u2019s dangerousness that requires significant scrutiny. We discuss those issues below.\nD. State\u2019s Police Powers\nOnce a mentally ill individual meets the threshold requirement of diminished decisional capacity, the State\u2019s police-power authority to commit him depends on whether the magnitude of the threat he poses to its citizens exceeds the deprivations imposed by involuntary commitment. Generally, a valid exercise of the State\u2019s police power must promote public interests, which require the State\u2019s interference; and the means must be reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose and not unduly oppressive on the individual. Goldblatt v. Town of Hempstead, 369 U.S. 590, 594-95, 8 L. Ed. 2d 130, 134, 82 S. Ct. 987, 990 (1962). However, when the State\u2019s police-power action infringes fundamental liberties, the public interests advanced must be \u201ccompelling\u201d and the action taken must be the least-restrictive alternative to serve those interests. Bates v. City of Little Rock, 361 U.S. 516, 524, 4 L. Ed. 2d 480, 486, 80 S. Ct. 412, 417 (1960).\nAlthough the State\u2019s goal in protecting society from harm certainly justifies police-power action, whether the State\u2019s interest is great enough to support imposition of the deprivations associated with civil commitment depends on the nature of the threat posed by the mentally ill individual.\n\u201cThe exercise of the police power to confine persons in anticipation of future criminal behavior has been challenged as a denial of the fundamental fairness guaranteed by the due[-]process clause and as an impermissible punishment for status. Nevertheless, society\u2019s interest in reducing harmful conduct might make preventive detention of dangerous persons constitutionally acceptable.\u201d Developments, 87 Harv. L. Rev. at 1228-29.\nSee also Williamson v. United States, 184 F.2d 280, 282 (2d Cir. 1950) (\u201cImprisonment to protect society from predicted but unconsummated offenses is so unprecedented in this country and so fraught with danger of excesses and injustice\u201d).\nUnlike other members of society, the mentally ill may be confined for the protection of the community because of their potential for doing harm, rather than because of the harm they have caused. Whether the State\u2019s interest is compelling depends on the varying degrees of dangerousness presented. It is most likely not compelling enough to hospitalize a mentally ill individual with the hope of preventing behavior that is difficult or somehow outside the normative expectations of society. Instead, a valid exercise of the State\u2019s police power shall be taken only in the interest of preventing behavior likely to result in injury to one\u2019s self or others. Thus, the State\u2019s authority depends on whether the magnitude of the threat the mentally ill person poses to society, when balanced, exceeds the deprivations imposed on the individual by involuntary commitment.\nSince the dangerousness of an individual is the product of the magnitude of the harm he or she is predicted to cause and the probability that he or she will cause it, an assessment of both factors is necessary to calculate society\u2019s interest in the preventive detention of a particular person. See Cross v. Harris, 418 F.2d 1095, 1099 (D.C. Cir. 1969) (determination of a person\u2019s \u201cdangerousness\u201d depends on the likely act and the harm it will cause). However, some types of behavior, even if certain to occur, may present too minimal a threat to society to justify confinement.\nTo satisfy due process, the exercise of the State\u2019s police power must be directed to prevent harm greater than a minor physical injury or a form of mental upset. Not all unpleasant personal experiences (such as fright, repulsion, or annoyance) are of sufficient magnitude to justify confinement to protect society therefrom. See Cross, 418 F.2d at 1100. The legislature must ultimately determine the type of harm required before an individual can be deprived of his liberty.\nOur legislature, in enacting section 1 \u2014 104.5, determined that \u201cthreatening behavior\u201d or \u201cconduct that places another individual in reasonable expectation of being harmed\u201d was of sufficient magnitude to deprive a mentally ill individual of his freedom. We hold those terms are impermissibly vague. \u201cWith regard to vagueness, then, due process is satisfied if *** the statute provides sufficiently definite standards for law enforcement and triers of fact that its applications do not depend merely on their private conceptions.\u201d Molnar, 222 Ill. 2d at 524, 857 N.E.2d at 226.\nThe plain language of section 1 \u2014 104.5 arguably applies to the types of less serious harm described above \u2014 the type of harm that does not justify the deprivation of a fundamental liberty interest. See In re Dennis H., 2002 WI 104, \u00b628, 255 Wis. 2d 359, 647 N.W.2d 851, (2002) (\u201cA mental commitment provision is overly broad only if by its terms it could reasonably be applied to commit mentally ill persons who are not in any way dangerous to themselves or others\u201d). Under section 1 \u2014 119(3), the State could reasonably petition to commit a mentally ill individual who stood on a public street and shouted racial slurs at a passerby. The State could feasibly argue, under section 1 \u2014 104.5, that this conduct placed the passerby \u201cin reasonable expectation of being harmed,\u201d albeit only psychologically harmed. Should the respondent satisfy the other requirements of section 1 \u2014 119, he or she could be confined to a mental-health hospital against his or her will for such conduct. Although this may seem an extreme example, it tends to demonstrate that the magnitude of harm should be more narrowly defined. This statute, as written, does not preclude the entire gamut of psychological, emotional, or financial harm, regardless of severity. If the benefit to society of involuntarily committing this hypothetical individual is weighed against the severity of the loss of liberty, confinement, in this instance, seems unduly oppressive and unreasonable.\nApplying this vague definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d to various acts of a mentally ill individual impermissibly affords the State too much discretion. See Papachristou v. City of Jacksonville, 405 U.S. 156, 165-71, 31 L. Ed. 2d 110, 117-21, 92 S. Ct. 839, 844-48 (1972) (use of imprecise terms in vagrancy ordinance resulted in the finding that the ordinance was unconstitutional as it lacked sufficient standards that could result in arbitrary enforcement). Further, it poses a risk of arbitrary application to mentally ill individuals engaging in merely unusual or annoying behavior. Developments, 87 Harv. L. Rev. at 1257. What is considered unusual, annoying, harmful, or threatening behavior may vary from individual to individual, yet it all could satisfy the definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d as currently provided by the amended statute. Given the lack of sufficient guidance in the definition, the foreseeable result of arbitrary interpretation and application by the governmental authorities leads this court to conclude that the definition set forth in section 1 \u2014 104.5 of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)) does not satisfy constitutional standards and must be declared void.\nIn addition, the new relaxed standard set forth in section 1 \u2014 119(3), after applying the definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d set forth in section 1 \u2014 104.5, creates a problematic legal quagmire when analyzed in light of the procedural standards for the involuntary administration of psychotropic medications. It is widely understood that involuntary admission is completely independent from involuntary administration of medication. A patient, even after being involuntarily admitted to a hospital, retains the right to refuse medication. The trial court must, in a separate proceeding, decide whether to involuntarily administer psychotropic medications. See 405 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 107.1 (West 2008). Such a decision rests upon whether treatment is \u201cnecessary to prevent the recipient from causing serious and imminent physical harm to the recipient or others.\u201d 405 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 107(a) (West 2008). This standard remains unchanged. Therefore, a patient could conceivably be involuntarily admitted if he has deteriorated to the point that there is a possibility of future harm but, if he refuses medication, he is in the hospital unable to be treated.\nThis potential problem can be further demonstrated applying the example mentioned above. The mentally ill person standing on the street corner shouting racial slurs may have stopped taking his medication. His family has noticed his mental deterioration and has petitioned the court to involuntarily admit him for treatment because they fear, and as a mental-health professional will testify, he will continue to suffer mental deterioration \u201cto the point that [he] is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct.\u201d Because \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d is defined as \u201cthreatening behavior or conduct that places another individual in reasonable expectation of being harmed,\u201d those passing by on the street have the potential of being harmed by the respondent\u2019s conduct. At the hearing, the trial court finds the standard of section 1 \u2014 119(3), applying the definition set forth in 1 \u2014 104.5, has been met and orders the respondent to be involuntarily admitted for treatment. However, under these facts, the State cannot prove that medication is necessary to prevent \u201cserious and imminent physical harm\u201d to the respondent or others in order to involuntarily treat this respondent. Under the less-stringent standards of the amended Mental Health Code, this respondent is ill enough to admit him against his will, but not ill enough to treat him against his will. Therein lies the problem.\nThis court recognizes the difficulty in creating a definition that sufficiently addresses the delicate balance between the State\u2019s interests and the individual\u2019s interests. The threshold must be narrowly tailored to ensure the commitment of only those individuals who are considered dangerous, yet broad enough to ensure that those who desperately need treatment can get it before his or her condition becomes significantly worse and treatment may be less successful. See A. Pfeffer, \u201cImminent Danger\u201d and Inconsistency: The Need for National Reform of the \u201cImminent Danger\u201d Standard for Involuntary Civil Commitment in the Wake of the Virginia Tech Tragedy, 30 Cardozo L. Rev. 277, 297-98 (2008) (discussion of \u201cimminent danger\u201d versus \u201csubstantial risk\u201d standards of dangerousness in commitment statutes; favoring the broader \u201csubstantial risk\u201d or \u201csubstantial likelihood\u201d standards rather than narrower \u201cimminent danger\u201d standard).\nWe note that the Supreme Court has indicated that it is better for society to commit a non-mentally ill individual than allow a dangerous mentally ill individual to have freedom. Addington, 441 U.S. at 429, 60 L. Ed. 2d at 333, 99 S. Ct. at 1811 (\u201cIt cannot be said, therefore, that it is much better for a mentally ill person to \u2018go free\u2019 than for a mentally normal person to be committed\u201d). However, the statutory definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d as it currently provides would allow the involuntary commitment of individuals who pose no real threat to society.\nTherefore, we hold that the definition of \u201cdangerous conduct,\u201d as set forth in section 1 \u2014 104.5 and referenced in section 1 \u2014 119(3) of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5, 1 \u2014 119(3) (West 2008)), does not provide a sufficient standard to justify the involuntary hospitalization of a mentally ill individual. A more definite statutory categorization of anticipated danger is required to justify the State\u2019s action in involuntarily committing its citizens. As a result, we declare section 1 \u2014 104.5 of the Mental Health Code (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)) unconstitutionally vague and violative of the guarantees of substantive due process. To the extent that the judgment ordering respondent\u2019s involuntary commitment relied upon the definition of dangerous conduct in section 1 \u2014 104.5, we vacate it as void.\nIn compliance with Supreme Court Rule 18 (210 Ill. 2d R. 18), we make clear the following: (1) the definition of \u201cdangerous conduct\u201d set forth in section 1 \u2014 104.5 (405 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 104.5 (West 2008)) is unconstitutional, (2) the statute violates the guarantees of due process set forth in the fifth and fourteenth amendments of the United States Constitution, (3) we declare the statute unconstitutional on its face, (4) the statute cannot be reasonably construed in a manner that would preserve its validity, (5) the finding of unconstitutionality is necessary to the decision rendered herein, (6) we find no nonconstitutional grounds upon which the trial court\u2019s judgment could rest, and (7) the notice provisions of Supreme Court Rule 19 (210 Ill. 2d R. 19) have been satisfied, as the State has responded in these proceedings to respondent\u2019s constitutional challenge.\nVacated.\nKNECHT and POPE, JJ, concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "JUSTICE APPLETON"
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Veronique Baker and Patricia A. Werner (argued), both of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Des Plaines, Cynthia Z. Tracy, of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Peoria, and Laurel Spahn, of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Hines, for appellant.",
      "John E Schmidt, State\u2019s Attorney, of Springfield (Patrick Delfino, Robert J. Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks (argued), all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "In re TORSKI C., a Person Found Subject to Involuntary Admission (The People of the State of Illinois, Petitioner-Appellee, v. Torski C., Respondent-Appellant).\nFourth District\nNo. 4\u201408\u20140952\nOpinion filed November 17, 2009.\nVeronique Baker and Patricia A. Werner (argued), both of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Des Plaines, Cynthia Z. Tracy, of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Peoria, and Laurel Spahn, of Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, of Hines, for appellant.\nJohn E Schmidt, State\u2019s Attorney, of Springfield (Patrick Delfino, Robert J. Biderman, and Anastacia R. Brooks (argued), all of State\u2019s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor\u2019s Office, of counsel), for the People."
  },
  "file_name": "1010-01",
  "first_page_order": 1026,
  "last_page_order": 1043
}
