IL HR1542

Illinois House of Representatives urges Governor Rauner to request assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of U.S. Attorneys Civil Division Federal Programs Branch to address fiscal and legal issues in Illinois family court proceedings.

Resolution identifies systemic problems in the Illinois family court system, including "cottage industries" of guardians ad litem and child representatives that have increased litigation costs without reducing parental conflicts, based on an April 10, 2010 report by the Illinois Family Law Study Committee.

Resolution cites 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), as stated in a May 15, 2012 letter from the House Judiciary I Civil Law Committee.

Resolution notes that Illinois' family court system is subsidized by federal Title IV-D child support enforcement funding and must adhere to applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with 2016 court proceedings disclosing costly intergovernmental agreements between the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and circuit courts in 11 of Illinois' 102 counties.

Legislature affirms commitment to lawful participation in the federal Title IV-D program and passing a balanced budget to fund the judicial branch, noting that no annual state budget has been passed since May 2014.