An Illinois Order Appointing Guardian ad Item is a document issued by an Illinois court that appoints a person or organization to act as a guardian ad item for a minor or incapacitated adult who is a party to a lawsuit. The Guardian ad Item is a neutral third-party appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the minor or incapacitated adult. The Order appointing Guardian ad Item specifies the qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of the Guardian ad Item. There are two types of Illinois Order appointing Guardian ad Item: temporary and permanent. A Temporary Order appointing Guardian ad Item is issued when a court needs someone to serve as a Guardian ad Item on a temporary basis until a permanent Guardian ad Item is appointed. A Permanent Order appointing Guardian ad Item is issued when a court decides that a Guardian ad Item should be appointed to serve in the case on a permanent basis.