August is Child Support Awareness Month

Last month, Illinois adopted an “income shares” model for determining child support, joining 39 other states in considering the income of both parents in calculating the money needed to raise their child. “Income shares” for calculating child support is based upon a model developed by the Federal Of...
August 24, 2017

The Bi-Partisan Dream Act Strengthens Communities

Senator Durbin (D-Illinois), along with Senator Graham (R-South Carolina), has re-introduced the Dream Act, legislation to streamline the immigration process for young people who have lived in the United States since childhood. It was first introduced in 2001 and despite broad bi-partisan support, i...
July 27, 2017

Cook County Chief Judge Announces New Order Limiting Use of Monetary Bond

Chicago Appleseed and our partner Chicago Council of Lawyers applaud today’s announcement by Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, that his office will direct judges to set monetary bonds only in amounts that people can pay. This move brings Cook County in line with a re...
July 17, 2017

Changes in the Cook County Domestic Relations Courts

The Cook County court recently took bold steps to modernize the Domestic Relations Division and improve the system for all families moving through the divorce, paternity and child support process. Consolidation of the divorce court and parentage court went into effect on February 6, 2017 and is the...
June 20, 2017