IL HB5405

Allows one parent to petition for termination of the other parent's parental rights during divorce, legal separation, or parental responsibility proceedings under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or Illinois Parentage Act of 2015

Requires clear and convincing evidence that the respondent parent abandoned the child or engaged in prolonged failure to provide financial support or maintain meaningful contact/visitation while able to do so

Provides defenses preventing termination if the failure was due to interference by the petitioning parent, court-ordered parenting time restrictions, or other good cause beyond the respondent's control

Mandates the court determine whether termination serves the child's best interests, even after grounds are established

Termination severs all legal rights and obligations of the terminated parent but does not automatically extinguish child support arrearages accrued before termination