Under Article 4 of the the Illinois Power of Attorney Act, the person you designate as your agent can be any adult. The only person specifically excluded from the choice is your physician. Your agent should share you views as to medical care or end of life treatment, and he or she should be strong willed, calm, and capable of steadfastly defending your views and choices in the face of other interested parties who may disagree as to what is best. The absence of these documents might mean that decisions as to your health care may fall into the hands of the judges who know nothing about you as an individual or your values.
The document is recommended to be signed in front of a notary public but under Illinois law may only be authorized with one (1) witness present.