Evans in conflict with brothers over guardianship issues.

U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Rock Island, is fighting his brothers' attempts to be named his permanent limited guardians.

Doyle and Steven Evans filed a petition this spring, as Rep. Evans recovered from complications related to Parkinson's disease, seeking to be named the congressman's permanent limited guardians.
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At a hearing Tuesday, Rock Island County Judge Alan Blackwood ordered a guardian ad litem, a third-party attorney, to represent Rep. Evans' interests as his brothers seek to gain permanent limited guardianship over his affairs.

Rep. Evans, 54, also has hired his own attorney.

Technically, a guardian ad litem is appointed for a minor or adult who is unable to handle his or her own affairs. East Moline attorney John McGehee, who was appointed Wednesday, sees his role differently in this case.

"My job as guardian ad litem is to look at all the issues and see if a guardian should or shouldn't be appointed," Mr. McGehee said. "I'm kind of the eyes and ears of the court.

"My goal is to do what is in the best interests of Congressman Evans," he said.
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The temporary guardianship is due to expire June 16.

The original petitions said Rep. Evans' condition necessitated the appointment.

"The Respondent was recently in the hospital for complications due to Parkinson's disease and, as a result, has limited mobility and intermittent cognitive impairments," according to the documents.

Rep. Evans' health has improved to the point where a guardianship isn't necessary, Arthur Winstein, who is representing the congressman, said Friday.

"I think, for the most part, Lane is well enough to do just about everything," Mr. Winstein, a Rock Island attorney, said.

Mr. McGehee confirmed that Rep. Evans is against his brothers gaining permanent guardianship.

During Tuesday's hearing, Judge Blackwood allowed Doyle and Steven Evans to file an amended petition for guardianship if necessary and made Rep. Evans aware that he could seek an independent medical examination as part of the proceedings. A physician's report was sealed in the court file when the original petition was filed April 17.

Rep. Evans is scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., next week, after spending several months in the Quad-Cities recuperating from his illness.

Illinois statute recommends the ward of a guardianship be in court for hearings, Mr. McGehee said. Steve Vetzner, spokesman for Rep. Evans, declined to comment on the guardianship proceedings or to say whether the congressman will return to the Quad-Cities for Friday's hearing.

No one answered the door at Rep. Evans' Rock Island home Friday. Doyle Evans, who has been acting as his brother's caregiver, lives with the congressman. Bates Larson, a Chicago attorney who filed the guardianship petition for Doyle and Steven Evans, didn't return calls for comment.

Read the D/A piece by Kurt Allemeier here.