Support and Judgment

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(750 ILCS 46/Art. 8 heading)

ARTICLE 8.
SUPPORT AND JUDGMENT

 

(750 ILCS 46/801)

Sec. 801. Child support orders.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, pending the outcome of a judicial determination of parentage, the court shall issue an order for child support upon motion by a party and a showing of clear and convincing evidence of parentage. In determining the amount of the child support award, the court shall use the guidelines and standards set forth in Sections 505 and 505.2 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(b) Any new or existing support order entered by the court under this Section shall be deemed to be a series of judgments against the person obligated to pay support thereunder, each judgment to be in the amount of each payment or installment of support and each judgment to be deemed entered as of the date the corresponding payment or installment becomes due under the terms of the support order. Each judgment shall have the full force, effect, and attributes of any other judgment of this State, including the ability to be enforced. A judgment under this Section is subject to modification or termination only in accordance with Section 510 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Notwithstanding any other state or local law to the contrary, a lien arises by operation of law against the real and personal property of the noncustodial parent for each installment of overdue support owed by the noncustodial parent.

(c) An order for support, when entered or modified, shall include a provision requiring the non-custodial parent to notify the court and, in cases in which a party is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, within 7 days: (i) of the name and address of any new employer of the non-custodial parent; (ii) whether the non-custodial parent has access to health insurance coverage through the employer or other group coverage and, if so, of the policy name and number and the names of adults and initials of minors covered under the policy; and (iii) of any new residential or mailing address or telephone number of the non-custodial parent. In any subsequent action to enforce a support order, upon a sufficient showing that a diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location of the non-custodial parent, service of process or provision of notice necessary in the case may be made at the last known address of the non-custodial parent in any manner expressly provided by this Act or the Code of Civil Procedure, and shall be sufficient for purposes of due process.

(d) An order for support shall include a date on which the current support obligation terminates. The termination date shall be no earlier than the date on which the child covered by the order will attain the age of 18. However, if the child will not graduate from high school until after attaining the age of 18, then the termination date shall be no earlier than the earlier of the date on which the child's high school graduation will occur or the date on which the child will attain the age of 19. The order for support shall state that the termination date does not apply to any arrearage that may remain unpaid on that date. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the court from modifying the order or terminating the order in the event the child is otherwise emancipated.

(e) If there is an unpaid arrearage or delinquency (as those terms are defined in the Income Withholding for Support Act) equal to at least one month's support obligation on the termination date stated in the order for support or, if there is no termination date stated in the order, on the date the child attains the age of majority or is otherwise emancipated, the periodic amount required to be paid for current support of that child immediately prior to that date shall automatically continue to be an obligation, not as current support but as periodic payment toward satisfaction of the unpaid arrearage or delinquency. The periodic payment shall be in addition to any periodic payment previously required for satisfaction of the arrearage or delinquency. The total periodic amount to be paid toward satisfaction of the arrearage or delinquency may be enforced and collected by any method provided by law for the enforcement and collection of child support including, but not limited to, income withholding under the Income Withholding for Support Act. Each order for support entered or modified must contain a statement notifying the parties of the requirements of this subsection. Failure to include the statement in the order for support does not affect the validity of the order or the operation of the provisions of this subsection with regard to the order. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent or affect the establishment or modification of an order for the support of a minor child or the establishment or modification of an order for the support of a non-minor child or educational expenses under Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(f) An order entered under this Section shall include a provision requiring the obligor to report to the obligee and to the clerk of the circuit court within 7 days each time the obligor obtains new employment, and each time the obligor's employment is terminated for any reason. The report shall be in writing and shall, in the case of new employment, include the name and address of the new employer. Failure to report new employment or the termination of current employment, if coupled with nonpayment of support for a period in excess of 60 days, is indirect criminal contempt. For an obligor arrested for failure to report new employment, bond shall be set in the amount of the child support that should have been paid during the period of unreported employment. An order entered under this Section shall also include a provision requiring the obligor and obligee parents to advise each other of a change in residence within 5 days of the change except when the court finds that the physical, mental, or emotional health of a party or that of a minor child, or both, would be seriously endangered by disclosure of the party's address.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/802)

Sec. 802. Judgment.

(a) The court shall issue an order adjudicating whether a person alleged or claiming to be the parent is the parent of the child. An order adjudicating parentage must identify the child by name and date of birth.

The court may assess filing fees, reasonable attorney's fees, fees for genetic testing, other costs, necessary travel expenses, and other reasonable expenses incurred in a proceeding under this Act. The court may award attorney's fees, which may be paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the support-enforcement agency of this State or another state, except as provided by other law.

The judgment shall contain or explicitly reserve provisions concerning any duty and amount of child support and may contain or explicitly reserve provisions concerning the allocation of parental responsibilities or guardianship of the child, parenting time privileges with the child, and the furnishing of bond or other security for the payment of the judgment, which the court shall determine in accordance with the relevant factors set forth in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and any other applicable law of this State, to guide the court in a finding in the best interests of the child. In determining the allocation of parental responsibilities, relocation, parenting time, parenting time interference, support for a non-minor disabled child, educational expenses for a non-minor child, and related post-judgment issues, the court shall apply the relevant standards of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Specifically, in determining the amount of a child support award, the court shall use the guidelines and standards set forth in subsection (a) of Section 505 and in Section 505.2 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The court shall order all child support payments, determined in accordance with such guidelines, to commence with the date summons is served. The level of current periodic support payments shall not be reduced because of payments set for the period prior to the date of entry of the support order.

(b) In an action brought within 2 years after a child's birth, the judgment or order may direct either parent to pay the reasonable expenses incurred by either parent or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services related to the mother's pregnancy and the delivery of the child.

(c) In the absence of an explicit order or judgment for the allocation of parental responsibilities, to the extent the court has authority under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act or any other appropriate State law, the establishment of a child support obligation or the allocation of parenting time to one parent shall be construed as an order or judgment allocating all parental responsibilities to the other parent. If the parentage order or judgment contains no such provisions, all parental responsibilities shall be presumed to be allocated to the mother; however, the presumption shall not apply if the child has resided primarily with the other parent for at least 6 months prior to the date that the mother seeks to enforce the order or judgment of parentage.

(c-5) Notwithstanding the limitations regarding the establishment of custody under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, that Act is not exclusive, and custody/allocation of parental responsibilities may be determined concurrently under other appropriate State laws, where this determination may be validly made.

(d) The court, if necessary to protect and promote the best interests of the child, may set aside a portion of the separately held estates of the parties in a separate fund or trust for the support, education, physical and mental health, and general welfare of a minor or mentally or physically disabled child of the parties.

(e) The court may order child support payments to be made for a period prior to the commencement of the action. In determining whether and to what extent the payments shall be made for the prior period, the court shall consider all relevant facts, including but not limited to:

  • (1) The factors for determining the amount of support specified in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
  • (2) The prior knowledge of the person obligated to pay support of the fact and circumstances of the child's birth.
  • (3) The father's prior willingness or refusal to help raise or support the child.
  • (4) The extent to which the mother or the public agency bringing the action previously informed the person obligated to pay support of the child's needs or attempted to seek or require the help of the person obligated to pay support in raising or supporting the child.
  • (5) The reasons the mother or the public agency did not file the action earlier.
  • (6) The extent to which the person obligated to pay support would be prejudiced by the delay in bringing the action.

For purposes of determining the amount of child support to be paid for the period before the date the order for current child support is entered, there is a rebuttable presumption that the net income of the person obligated to pay support for the prior period was the same as the net income of the person obligated to pay support at the time the order for current child support is entered.

If (i) the person obligated to pay support was properly served with a request for discovery of financial information relating to the ability to provide child support of the person obligated to pay support; (ii) the person obligated to pay support failed to comply with the request, despite having been ordered to do so by the court; and (iii) the person obligated to pay support is not present at the hearing to determine support despite having received proper notice, then any relevant financial information concerning the ability to provide child support of the person obligated to pay support that was obtained pursuant to subpoena and proper notice shall be admitted into evidence without the need to establish any further foundation for its admission.

(f) A new or existing support order entered by the court under this Section shall be deemed to be a series of judgments against the person obligated to pay support thereunder, each judgment to be in the amount of each payment or installment of support and each judgment to be deemed entered as of the date the corresponding payment or installment becomes due under the terms of the support order. Each judgment shall have the full force, effect, and attributes of any other judgment of this State, including the ability to be enforced. A judgment under this Section is subject to modification or termination only in accordance with Section 510 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Notwithstanding any State or local law to the contrary, a lien arises by operation of law against the real and personal property of the noncustodial parent for each installment of overdue support owed by the noncustodial parent.

(g) If the judgment or order of the court is at variance with the child's birth certificate, the court shall order that a new birth certificate be issued under the Vital Records Act.

(h) On the request of both parents, the court shall order a change in the child's name.

(i) After hearing evidence, the court may stay payment of support during the period of the father's minority or period of disability.

(j) If, upon a showing of proper service, the father fails to appear in court or otherwise appear as provided by law, the court may proceed to hear the cause upon testimony of the mother or other parties taken in open court and shall enter a judgment by default. The court may reserve any order as to the amount of child support until the father has received notice, by regular mail, of a hearing on the matter.

(k) An order for support, when entered or modified, shall include a provision requiring the non-custodial parent to notify the court and, in cases in which a party is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, within 7 days: (i) of the name and address of any new employer of the non-custodial parent; (ii) whether the non-custodial parent has access to health insurance coverage through the employer or other group coverage and, if so, of the policy name and number and the names of adults and initials of minors covered under the policy; and (iii) of any new residential or mailing address or telephone number of the non-custodial parent. In a subsequent action to enforce a support order, upon a sufficient showing that a diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location of the non-custodial parent, service of process or provision of notice necessary in the case may be made at the last known address of the non-custodial parent in any manner expressly provided by this Act or the Code of Civil Procedure, and shall be sufficient for purposes of due process.

(l) An order for support shall include a date on which the current support obligation terminates. The termination date shall be no earlier than the date on which the child covered by the order will attain the age of 18. However, if the child will not graduate from high school until after attaining the age of 18, then the termination date shall be no earlier than the earlier of the date on which the child's high school graduation will occur or the date on which the child will attain the age of 19. The order for support shall state that the termination date does not apply to any arrearage that may remain unpaid on that date. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the court from modifying the order or terminating the order in the event the child is otherwise emancipated.

(m) If there is an unpaid arrearage or delinquency (as those terms are defined in the Income Withholding for Support Act) equal to at least one month's support obligation on the termination date stated in the order for support or, if there is no termination date stated in the order, on the date the child attains the age of majority or is otherwise emancipated, the periodic amount required to be paid for current support of that child immediately prior to that date shall automatically continue to be an obligation, not as current support but as periodic payment toward satisfaction of the unpaid arrearage or delinquency. The periodic payment shall be in addition to any periodic payment previously required for satisfaction of the arrearage or delinquency. The total periodic amount to be paid toward satisfaction of the arrearage or delinquency may be enforced and collected by any method provided by law for enforcement and collection of child support, including but not limited to income withholding under the Income Withholding for Support Act. Each order for support entered or modified must contain a statement notifying the parties of the requirements of this subsection. Failure to include the statement in the order for support does not affect the validity of the order or the operation of the provisions of this subsection with regard to the order. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent or affect the establishment or modification of an order for support of a minor child or the establishment or modification of an order for support of a non-minor child or educational expenses under Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(n) An order entered under this Section shall include a provision requiring the obligor to report to the obligee and to the clerk of court within 7 days each time the obligor obtains new employment, and each time the obligor's employment is terminated for any reason. The report shall be in writing and shall, in the case of new employment, include the name and address of the new employer. Failure to report new employment or the termination of current employment, if coupled with nonpayment of support for a period in excess of 60 days, is indirect criminal contempt. For an obligor arrested for failure to report new employment, bond shall be set in the amount of the child support that should have been paid during the period of unreported employment. An order entered under this Section shall also include a provision requiring the obligor and obligee parents to advise each other of a change in residence within 5 days of the change except when the court finds that the physical, mental, or emotional health of a party or that of a minor child, or both, would be seriously endangered by disclosure of the party's address.

(Source: P.A. 102-541, eff. 8-20-21.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/803)

Sec. 803. Information to State Case Registry.

(a) In this Section:

"Order for support", "obligor", "obligee", and "business day" are defined as set forth in the Income Withholding for Support Act.

"State Case Registry" means the State Case Registry established under Section 10-27 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(b) Each order for support entered or modified by the circuit court under this Act shall require that the obligor and obligee file with the clerk of the circuit court (i) the information required by this Section (and any other information required under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act or by the federal Department of Health and Human Services) at the time of entry or modification of the order for support; and (ii) updated information within 5 business days of any change. Failure of the obligor or obligee to file or update the required information shall be punishable as in cases of contempt. The failure shall not prevent the court from entering or modifying the order for support, however.

(c) The obligor shall file the following information: the obligor's name, date of birth, mailing address, and the obligor's social security number or tax identification number. If either the obligor or the obligee receives child support enforcement services from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the obligor shall also file the following information: the obligor's telephone number, driver's license number, residential address (if different from the obligor's mailing address), and the name, address, and telephone number of the obligor's employer or employers.

(d) The obligee shall file the following information:

  • (1) The name of the obligee and the name of the child or children covered by the order for support.
  • (2) The dates of birth of the obligee and the child or children covered by the order for support.
  • (3) The social security numbers or tax identification numbers of the obligee and the child or children covered by the order for support.
  • (4) The obligee's mailing address.

(e) In cases in which the obligee receives child support enforcement services from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the order for support shall (i) require that the obligee file the information required under subsection (d) with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for inclusion in the State Case Registry, rather than file the information with the clerk, and (ii) require that the obligee include the following additional information:

  • (1) The obligee's telephone and driver's license number.
  • (2) The obligee's residential address, if different from the obligee's mailing address.
  • (3) The name, address, and telephone number of the obligee's employer or employers.

The order for support shall also require that the obligee update the information filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services within 5 business days of any change.

(f) The clerk of the circuit court shall provide the information filed under this Section, together with the court docket number and county in which the order for support was entered, to the State Case Registry within 5 business days after receipt of the information.

(g) In a case in which a party is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the clerk of the circuit court shall provide the following additional information to the State Case Registry within 5 business days after entry or modification of an order for support or request from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services:

  • (1) the amount of monthly or other periodic support owed under the order for support and other amounts, including arrearage, interest, or late payment penalties and fees, due or overdue under the order; and
  • (2) any amounts that have been received by the clerk, and the distribution of those amounts by the clerk.

(h) Information filed by the obligor and obligee under this Section that is not specifically required to be included in the body of an order for support under other laws is not a public record and shall be treated as confidential and subject to disclosure only in accordance with the provisions of this Section, Section 10-27 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, and Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-769, eff. 1-1-17.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/804)

Sec. 804. Information to locate putative fathers and noncustodial parents.

(a) Upon request by a public office, employers, labor unions, and telephone companies shall provide location information concerning putative fathers and noncustodial parents for the purpose of establishing the parentage of a child or establishing, enforcing, or modifying a child support obligation. As used in this Section, the term "public office" is defined as set forth in the Income Withholding for Support Act, and "location information" means information about (i) the physical whereabouts of a putative father or noncustodial parent; (ii) the employer of the putative father or noncustodial parent; or (iii) the salary, wages, and other compensation paid and the health insurance coverage provided to the putative father or noncustodial parent by the employer of the putative father or noncustodial parent or by a labor union of which the putative father or noncustodial parent is a member. An employer, labor union, or telephone company shall respond to the request of the public office within 15 days after receiving the request. An employer, labor union, or telephone company that willfully fails to fully respond within the 15-day period shall be subject to a penalty of $100 for each day that the response is not provided to the public office after the 15-day period has expired. The penalty may be collected in a civil action, which may be brought against the employer, labor union, or telephone company in favor of the public office.

(b) Upon being served with a subpoena (including an administrative subpoena as authorized by law), a utility company or cable television company must provide location information to a public office for the purpose of establishing the parentage of a child or establishing, enforcing, or modifying a child support obligation.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other State or local law to the contrary, an employer, labor union, telephone company, utility company, or cable television company shall not be liable to any person for disclosure of location information under the requirements of this Section, except for willful and wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/805)

Sec. 805. Enforcement of judgment or order.

(a) If the existence of the parent-child relationship is declared, or if parentage or a duty of support has been established under this Act or under prior law or under the law of any other jurisdiction, the judgment rendered thereunder may be enforced in the same or in other proceedings by any party or any person or agency that has furnished or may furnish financial assistance or services to the child. The Income Withholding for Support Act and Sections 802 and 808 of this Act shall also be applicable with respect to the entry, modification, and enforcement of a support judgment entered under the Paternity Act, approved July 5, 1957 and repealed July 1, 1985.

(b) Failure to comply with an order of the court shall be punishable as contempt as in other cases of failure to comply under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. In addition to other penalties provided by law, the court may, after finding the party guilty of contempt, take the following action:

  • (1) Order that the party be placed on probation with such conditions of probation as the court deems advisable.
  • (2) Order that the party be sentenced to periodic imprisonment for a period not to exceed 6 months. However, the court may permit the party to be released for periods of time during the day or night to work, conduct business, or engage in other self-employed occupation. The court may further order any part of all the earnings of a party during a sentence of periodic imprisonment to be paid to the clerk of the circuit court or to the person or parent having custody of or having been allocated parental responsibilities for the minor child for the support of the child until further order of the court.
  • (3) Pierce the ownership veil of a person, persons, or business entity to discover assets of a non-custodial parent held in the name of that person, those persons, or that business entity, if there is a unity of interest and ownership sufficient to render no financial separation between the non-custodial parent and that person, those persons, or the business entity. The following circumstances are sufficient for a court to order discovery of the assets of a person, persons, or business entity and to compel the application of any discovered assets toward payment of the judgment for support:
    • (A) the non-custodial parent and the person, persons, or business entity maintain records together.
    • (B) the non-custodial parent and the person, persons, or business entity fail to maintain an arm's-length relationship between themselves with regard to any assets.
    • (C) the non-custodial parent transfers assets to the person, persons, or business entity with the intent to perpetrate a fraud on the custodial parent. With respect to assets which are real property, no order entered under this subdivision (3) shall affect the rights of bona fide purchasers, mortgagees, judgment creditors, or other lien holders who acquire their interests in the property prior to the time a notice of lis pendens under the Code of Civil Procedure or a copy of the order is placed of record in the office of the recorder of deeds for the county in which the real property is located.
  • (4) Order that, in cases where the party is 90 days or more delinquent in payment of support or has been adjudicated in arrears in an amount equal to 90 days obligation or more, the party's Illinois driving privileges be suspended until the court determines that the party is in compliance with the judgment or duty of support. The court may also order that the parent be issued a family financial responsibility driving permit that would allow limited driving privileges for employment and medical purposes in accordance with Section 7-702.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the order suspending the driving privileges of the parent or granting the issuance of a family financial responsibility driving permit to the Secretary of State on forms prescribed by the Secretary. Upon receipt of the authenticated documents, the Secretary of State shall suspend the party's driving privileges until further order of the court and shall, if ordered by the court and subject to the provisions of Section 7-702.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, issue a family financial responsibility driving permit to the parent.

In addition to the penalties or punishment that may be imposed under this Section, a person whose conduct constitutes a violation of Section 15 of the Non-Support Punishment Act may be prosecuted under that Act, and a person convicted under that Act may be sentenced in accordance with that Act. The sentence may include, but need not be limited to, a requirement that the person perform community service under Section 50 of that Act or participate in a work alternative program under Section 50 of that Act. A person may not be required to participate in a work alternative program under Section 50 of the Non-Support Punishment Act if the person is currently participating in a work program under Section 806 of this Act.

(c) In a post-judgment proceeding to enforce or modify the judgment, the parties shall continue to be designated as in the original proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-769, eff. 1-1-17.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/806)

Sec. 806. Unemployment of person owing duty of support.

(a) Whenever it is determined in a proceeding to establish or enforce a child support obligation that the person owing a duty of support is unemployed, the court may order the person to seek employment and report periodically to the court with a diary, listing, or other memorandum of his or her efforts to seek employment in accordance with the order. Additionally, the court may order the unemployed person to report to the Department of Employment Security for job search services and to participate in job training or work programs. When the duty of support is owed to a child receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court may order the unemployed person to report to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for participation in job search, training, or work programs established under Section 9-6 and Article IXA of that Code.

(b) Whenever it is determined that a person owes past-due support for a child, and the child is receiving assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court shall, at the request of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, order the following:

  • (1) that the person pay the past-due support in accordance with a payment plan approved by the court; or
  • (2) if the person owing past-due support is unemployed, is subject to a payment plan, and is not incapacitated, that the person participate in job search, training, or work programs established under Section 9-6 and Article IXA of the Illinois Public Aid Code as the court deems appropriate.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/807)

Sec. 807. Order of protection; status. Whenever relief is sought under this Act, the court, before granting relief, shall determine whether an order of protection has previously been entered in the instant proceeding or any other proceeding in which any party, or a child of any party, or both, if relevant, has been designated as either a respondent or a protected person.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/808)

Sec. 808. Modification of judgment. The court has continuing jurisdiction to modify an order for child support, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, or relocation included in a judgment entered under this Act. Any allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, or relocation judgment modification shall be in accordance with the relevant factors specified in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Any support judgment is subject to modification or termination only in accordance with Section 510 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-769, eff. 1-1-17.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/809)

Sec. 809. Right to counsel.

(a) Any party may be represented by counsel at all proceedings under this Act. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the court may order, in accordance with the relevant factors specified in Section 508 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, reasonable fees of counsel, experts, and other costs of the action, pre-trial proceedings, post-judgment proceedings to enforce or modify the judgment, and the appeal or the defense of an appeal of the judgment to be paid by the parties. The court may not order payment by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in cases in which the Department is providing child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(b) In any proceedings involving the support, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, education, parentage, property interest, relocation, or general welfare of a minor or dependent child, the court may, on its own motion or that of any party, appoint an attorney to serve in one of the capacities specified in Section 506 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-769, eff. 1-1-17.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/810)

Sec. 810. Withholding of income to secure payment of support. Orders for support entered under this Act are subject to the Income Withholding for Support Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/811)

Sec. 811. Information concerning obligors.

(a) In this Section:

"Arrearage", "delinquency", "obligor", and "order for support" have the meanings attributed to those terms in the Income Withholding for Support Act.

"Consumer reporting agency" has the meaning attributed to that term in Section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f).

(b) Whenever a court of competent jurisdiction finds that an obligor either owes an arrearage of more than $10,000 or is delinquent in payment of an amount equal to at least 3 months' support obligation pursuant to an order for support, the court shall direct the clerk of the circuit court to make information concerning the obligor available to consumer reporting agencies.

(c) Whenever a court of competent jurisdiction finds that an obligor either owes an arrearage of more than $10,000 or is delinquent in payment of an amount equal to at least 3 months' support obligation pursuant to an order for support, the court shall direct the clerk of the circuit court to cause the obligor's name and address to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the obligor resides. The clerk of the circuit court shall cause the obligor's name and address to be published only after sending to the obligor at the obligor's last known address, by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of intent to publish the information. This subsection (c) applies only if the obligor resides in the county in which the clerk of the circuit court holds office.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/812)

Sec. 812. Interest on support obligations. A support obligation, or any portion of a support obligation, which becomes due and remains unpaid as of the end of each month, excluding the child support that was due for that month to the extent that it was not paid in that month, shall accrue simple interest as set forth in Section 12-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure. An order for support shall contain a statement that a support obligation required under the order, or any portion of a support obligation required under the order, that becomes due and remains unpaid as of the end of each month, excluding the child support that was due for that month to the extent that it was not paid in that month, shall accrue simple interest as set forth in Section 12-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Failure to include the statement in the order for support does not affect the validity of the order or the accrual of interest as provided in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/813)

Sec. 813. Support payments; receiving and disbursing agents.

(a) In an action filed in a county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants in which an order for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings to enforce or vary the terms of the order arising out of an action filed in such a county, the court, except in actions or supplementary proceedings in which the pregnancy and delivery expenses of the mother or the child support payments are for a recipient of aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, shall direct that child support payments be made to the clerk of the circuit court, unless in the discretion of the court exceptional circumstances warrant otherwise. In cases where payment is to be made to persons other than the clerk of the circuit court, the judgment or order of support shall set forth the facts of the exceptional circumstances.

(b) In an action filed in a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants in which an order for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings to enforce or vary the terms of the order arising out of an action filed in such a county, the court, except in actions or supplementary proceedings in which the pregnancy and delivery expenses of the mother or the child support payments are for a recipient of aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, shall direct that child support payments be made either to the clerk of the circuit court or to the Court Service Division of the Department of Human Services local office or offices or its successor or to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, unless in the discretion of the court exceptional circumstances warrant otherwise. In cases where payment is to be made to persons other than the clerk of the circuit court, the Court Service Division of the Department of Human Services local office or offices or its successor, or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the judgment or order of support shall set forth the facts of the exceptional circumstances.

(c) When the action or supplementary proceeding is on behalf of a mother for pregnancy and delivery expenses or for child support, or both, and the mother, child, or both, are recipients of aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court shall order that the payments be made directly to (1) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, if the mother or child, or both, are recipients under Article IV or V of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or (2) the local governmental unit responsible for the support of the mother or child, or both, if they are recipients under Article VI of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may continue to collect current maintenance payments or child support payments, or both, after those persons cease to receive public assistance and until termination of services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall pay the net amount collected to those persons after deducting any costs incurred in making the collection or any collection fee from the amount of any recovery made. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the local governmental unit, as the case may be, may direct that payments be made directly to the mother of the child, or to some other person or agency on the child's behalf, upon the removal of the mother and child from the public aid rolls or upon termination of services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; upon such direction, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the local governmental unit shall give notice of the action to the court in writing or by electronic transmission.

(d) All clerks of the circuit court and the Court Service Division of the Department of Human Services local office or offices or its successor and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, receiving child support payments under subsection (a) or (b) shall disburse the payments to the person or persons entitled to the payments under the terms of the order. The entity disbursing the payments shall establish and maintain clear and current records of all moneys received and disbursed and of defaults and delinquencies in required payments. The court, by order or rule, shall make provision for the carrying out of these duties. Payments under this Section to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services made pursuant to the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act shall be paid into the Child Support Enforcement Trust Fund. All payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Human Services shall be deposited in the DHS Recoveries Trust Fund. Disbursement from these funds shall be as provided in the Illinois Public Aid Code. Payments received by a local governmental unit shall be deposited in that unit's General Assistance Fund.

(e) The moneys received by persons or agencies designated by the court shall be disbursed by them in accordance with the order. However, the court, on petition of the State's Attorney, may enter new orders designating the clerk of the circuit court or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services as the person or agency authorized to receive and disburse child support payments and, in the case of a recipient of public aid, the court, on petition of the Attorney General or State's Attorney, shall direct subsequent payments to be paid to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or to the appropriate local governmental unit, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section. Payments of child support by principals or sureties on bonds or proceeds of any sale for the enforcement of a judgment shall be made to the clerk of the circuit court, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, or the appropriate local governmental unit, as required by this Section.

(f) For those cases in which child support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services by order of court or upon notification by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the clerk of the circuit court shall transmit all payments, within 4 working days of receipt, to insure that funds are available for immediate distribution by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to the person or entity entitled to them in accordance with the Child Support Enforcement Program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The clerk of the circuit court shall notify the Department of Healthcare and Family Services of the date of receipt and the amount of the funds at the time of transmittal. If the clerk of the circuit court has entered into an agreement of cooperation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to record the terms of child support orders and payments made thereunder directly into the Department's automated data processing system, the clerk of the circuit court shall account for, transmit and otherwise distribute child support payments in accordance with the agreement in lieu of the requirements contained in this Section.

(g) To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Section 815 of this Act and Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit shall apply.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/814)

Sec. 814. Notice of child support enforcement services. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services may provide notice at any time to the parties to an action filed under this Act that child support enforcement services are being provided by the Department under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code. After notice is provided, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall be entitled, as if it were a party, to notice of any further proceedings brought in the case. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide the clerk of the circuit court with copies of the notices sent to the parties. The clerk of the circuit court shall file the copies in the court file.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/815)

Sec. 815. Payment of support to State Disbursement Unit.

(a) As used in this Section, "order for support", "obligor", "obligee", and "payor" have the meanings ascribed to them in the Income Withholding for Support Act, except that "order for support" does not mean an order for spousal maintenance under which there is no child support obligation.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, each order for support entered or modified on or after October 1, 1999 shall require that support payments be made to the State Disbursement Unit established under Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid Code if:

  • (1) a party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or
  • (2) no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services, but the support payments are made through income withholding.

(c) Support payments shall be made to the State Disbursement Unit if:

  • (1) the order for support was entered before October 1, 1999, and a party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or
  • (2) no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services, and the support payments are being made through income withholding.

(d) If no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code and the support payments are not made through income withholding, then support payments shall be made as directed by the order for support.

(e) At any time, and notwithstanding the existence of an order directing payments to be made elsewhere, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may provide notice to the obligor and, where applicable, to the obligor's payor:

  • (1) to make support payments to the State Disbursement Unit if:
    • (A) a party to the order for support is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or
    • (B) no party to the order for support is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, but the support payments are made through income withholding; or
  • (2) to make support payments to the State Disbursement Unit of another state upon request of another state's Title IV-D child support enforcement agency, in accordance with the requirements of Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act and regulations promulgated under that Part D.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide a copy of the notice sent under this subsection to the obligee and to the clerk of the circuit court.

(f) The clerk of the circuit court shall provide written notice to the obligor to make payments directly to the clerk of the circuit court if no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the support payments are not made through income withholding, and the order for support requires support payments to be made directly to the clerk of the circuit court. The clerk of the circuit court shall provide a copy of the notice to the obligee.

(g) If the State Disbursement Unit receives a support payment that was not appropriately made to the Unit under this Section, the Unit shall immediately return the payment to the sender, including, if possible, instructions detailing where to send the support payments.

(h) The notices under subsections (e) and (f) may be sent by ordinary mail, certified mail with return receipt requested, facsimile transmission, other electronic process, or any method provided by law for service of a summons.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(750 ILCS 46/816)

Sec. 816. Notice to the clerk of the circuit court of payment received by Department of Healthcare and Family Services. For those cases in which support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services by order of court, and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services collects support by assignment, offset, withhold, deduction, or other process permitted by law, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall notify the clerk of the circuit court of the date and amount of the collection. Upon notification, the clerk of the circuit court shall record the collection on the payment record for the case.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16.)


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