Dupage Policy Journal

Who is going to make health care decisions for you if you're incapable? 

This is why attorneys urge adults to sign a healthcare power of attorney so they can designate who makes those decisions while they can.

Indian Prairie School District 204 board member Justin Karubas is leading a session for 18-year-old students and alumni to make their healthcare power of attorney decisions legal. 

The Free Healthcare Power of Attorney event is set for June 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora.

According to the event's Google Docs page: "Indian Prairie School District 204 students and alumni who are 18 years old or older are invited to a signing event for a Health Care Power of Attorney. This Power of Attorney lets you choose someone to make health care decisions for you if you are no longer able to do so. The event is sponsored by volunteers at no cost. No other advance directives will be offered. This event is not sponsored by the Board of Education or Indian Prairie School District 204."

“This idea was started by an attorney who is a Dad in our district," said Saili Joshi, chair of Naperville's District 204's Parent Diversity Advisory Council, posting the event information on Twitter. "We talked about making it more accessible for all students last year and here is the result! Loved working with two friends to make sure this happened! Please take advantage of this free event if you have a kid who is 18 years old or older. Thank you to all the attorneys, notaries and parents who have volunteered for this event! An email was sent to all HS students in Dist. 204 with more information.”

Awake Illinois is decrying the event.

“@ipsd204 board member (Justin Karubas) @karubas (attorney) coordinated with former 'Parent Diversity Advisory Council' Saily Joshi for a free healthcare power of attorney. District sent emails to all 18+ students. Another example of gov’t wanting to cut out parents and indoctrinate kids,” Awake IL posted on Twitter.

Karubas, a longtime resident of District 204, is an attorney at Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C. in Wheaton. His practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, and estate litigation.

"My mother and sister both taught in District 204," Karubas' campaign bio says. "My father was one of the founding Board members of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF). I also served as a Board member of IPEF."

His term as an IPSD board member will expire in 2023.

Indian Prairie 204 is the fourth largest school district in the state with students from Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield. According to its website, it has more than 27,000 students enrolled, and over 3,130 employees in its 33 schools.