IL HJR0168

Urges the Governor to request assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys, Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch regarding systemic issues in Illinois family courts.

Cites April 10, 2010 Illinois Family Law Study Committee report identifying "cottage industries" of guardians ad litem and custody evaluators that have increased litigation costs without reducing parental conflicts.

References May 15, 2012 letter from House Judiciary I Civil Law Committee expressing concerns about lack of attorney discipline for child representatives and guardians ad litem appointed under the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/506).

Identifies issues with costly intergovernmental agreements between the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and circuit courts in 11 of 102 Illinois counties related to Title IV-D federal child support enforcement program compliance.

Notes Illinois has not passed an annual state budget since May 2014 and expresses commitment to passing a balanced budget that lawfully funds the judicial branch proceedings.