HB1531 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 04250 HEP 25224 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB1531

Introduced 2/6/2015, by Rep. Kelly Burke

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Creates the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Provides methods for the establishment of a parent-child relationship. Authorizes genetic testing. Provides for temporary relief and proceedings to adjudicate parentage. Establishes procedures regarding parentage of a child of assisted reproduction. Provides for child support establishment and enforcement. Repeals the Illinois Parentage Act and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Amends numerous Acts to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 101. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

Section 102. Public policy. Illinois recognizes the right of every child to the physical, mental, emotional, and financial support of his or her parents. The parent-child relationship, including support obligations, extends equally to every child and to his or her parent or to each of his or her 2 parents, regardless of the legal relationship of the parents, and regardless of whether a parent is a minor.

Section 103. Definitions. In this Act:

(a) "Acknowledged father" means a man who has established a father-child relationship under Article 3.

(b) "Adjudicated father" means a man who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as authorized under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, to be the father of a child.

(c) "Alleged father" means a man who alleges himself to be, or is alleged to be, the biological father or a possible biological father of a child, but whose paternity has not been established. The term does not include:

(1) a presumed parent or acknowledged father;

(2) a man whose parental rights have been terminated or declared not to exist; or

(3) a male donor.

(d) "Assisted reproduction" means any method of causing pregnancy other than sexual intercourse. The term includes but is not limited to:

(1) intrauterine insemination;

(2) donation of eggs;

(3) donation of embryos;

(4) in-vitro fertilization and transfer of embryos;

(5) intracytoplasmic sperm injection; and

(6) artificial insemination.

(e) "Child" means an individual of any age whose parentage may be established under this Act.

(f) "Combined paternity index" means the likelihood of paternity calculated by computing the ratio between:

(1) the likelihood that the tested man is the father, based on the genetic markers of the tested man, mother, and child, conditioned on the hypothesis that the tested man is the father of the child; and

(2) the likelihood that the tested man is not the father, based on the genetic markers of the tested man, mother, and child, conditioned on the hypothesis that the tested man is not the father of the child and that the father is of the same ethnic or racial group as the tested man.

(g) "Commence" means to file the initial pleading seeking an adjudication of parentage in the circuit court of this State.

(h) "Determination of parentage" means the establishment of the parent-child relationship by the signing of a voluntary acknowledgment under Article 3 of this Act or adjudication by the court or as authorized under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(i) "Donor" means an individual who contributes a gamete or gametes used for assisted reproduction, whether or not for consideration. The term does not include:

(1) an intended parent who provides sperm, or an intended parent who provides eggs, to be used for assisted reproduction by the intended parent or parents;

(2) a woman who gives birth to a child by means of assisted reproduction, except as otherwise provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act or a valid gestational surrogacy contract; or

(3) a parent under Article 7 of this Act, or an intended parent under the Gestational Surrogacy Act or a valid gestational surrogacy contract.

(j) "Ethnic or racial group" means, for purposes of genetic testing, a recognized group that an individual identifies as all or part of the individual's ancestry or that is so identified by other information.

(k) "Gamete" means either a sperm or an egg.

(l) "Genetic testing" means an analysis of genetic markers to exclude or identify a man as the father or a woman as the mother of a child as provided in Article 4 of this Act.

(m) "Gestational mother" means an adult woman who gives birth to a child pursuant to the terms of a valid gestational surrogacy contract.

(n) "Parent" means an individual who has established a parent-child relationship under Section 201 of this Act.

(o) "Parent-child relationship" means the legal relationship between a child and a parent of the child.

(p) "Presumed parent" means an individual who, by operation of law under Section 204 of this Act, is recognized as the parent of a child until that status is rebutted or confirmed in a judicial or administrative proceeding.

(q) "Probability of paternity" means the measure, for the ethnic or racial group to which the alleged father belongs, of the probability that the man in question is the father of the child, compared with a random, unrelated man of the same ethnic or racial group, expressed as a percentage incorporating the combined paternity index and a prior probability.

(r) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(s) "Signatory" means an individual who authenticates a record and is bound by its terms.

(t) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(u) "Substantially similar legal relationship" means a relationship recognized in this State under Section 60 of the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.

(v) "Support-enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek:

(1) enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;

(2) establishment or modification of child support;

(3) determination of parentage; or

(4) location of child-support obligors and their income and assets.

Section 104. Scope of Act; choice of law; other legal rights and duties preserved.

(a) This Act applies to determination of parentage in this State.

(b) The court shall apply the law of this State to adjudicate the parent-child relationship. The applicable law does not depend on:

(1) the place of birth of the child; or

(2) the past or present residence of the child.

(c) This Act does not create, enlarge, abrogate, or diminish parental rights or duties under other laws of this State, including the common law.

Section 105. Authority to establish parentage. The circuit courts are authorized to establish parentage under this Act. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services may make administrative determinations of paternity and nonpaternity in accordance with Section 10-17.7 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Such administrative determinations shall have the full force and effect of court judgments entered under this Act.

Section 106. Protection of participants. Proceedings under this Act are subject to other law of this State governing the health, safety, privacy, and liberty of a child or other individual who could be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, including address, telephone number, place of employment, social security number, and the child's day-care facility and school.

Section 107. Applicability. Insofar as practicable, the provisions of this Act applicable to the father and child relationship shall apply to the mother and child relationship including, but not limited to, the obligation to support.

ARTICLE 2. PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

Section 201. Establishment of parent-child relationship.

(a) The parent-child relationship is established between a woman and a child by:

(1) the woman having given birth to the child, except as otherwise provided in a valid gestational surrogacy contract;

(2) an adjudication of the woman's parentage;

(3) adoption of the child by the woman;

(4) the woman having consented to assisted reproduction by a woman under Article 7 of this Act which resulted in the birth of the child;

(5) a valid gestational surrogacy contract under the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law; or

(6) an unrebutted presumption of the woman's parentage of the child under Section 204 of this Act.

(b) The parent-child relationship is established between a man and a child by:

(1) an unrebutted presumption of the man's parentage of the child under Section 204 of this Act;

(2) an effective voluntary acknowledgment of paternity by the man under Article 3 of this Act, unless the acknowledgment has been rescinded or successfully challenged;

(3) an adjudication of the man's parentage;

(4) adoption of the child by the man;

(5) the man having consented to assisted reproduction by a woman under Article 7 of this Act which resulted in the birth of the child; or

(6) a valid gestational surrogacy contract under the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law.

(c) Insofar as practicable, the provisions of this Act applicable to parent-child relationships shall apply equally to men and women as parents, including, but not limited to, the obligation to support.

Section 202. Parents' legal relationship. Every child has equal rights under the law regardless of the parents' legal relationship.

Section 203. Consequences of establishment of parentage. A parent-child relationship established under this Act applies for all purposes, except as otherwise specifically provided by other law of this State.

Section 204. Presumption of parentage.

(a) A person is presumed to be the parent of a child if:

(1) the person and the mother of the child have entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, and the child is born to the mother during the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, except as provided by a valid gestational surrogacy contract, Article 7 of this Act, or other law;

(2) the person and the mother of the child were in a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship and the child is born to the mother within 300 days after the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is terminated by death, declaration of invalidity of marriage, judgment for dissolution of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, or after a judgment for legal separation, except as provided by a valid gestational surrogacy contract, Article 7 of this Act, or other law;

(3) before the birth of the child, the person and the mother of the child entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship in apparent compliance with law, even if the attempted marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is or could be declared invalid, and the child is born during the invalid marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship or within 300 days after its termination by death, declaration of invalidity of marriage, judgment for dissolution of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, or after a judgment for legal separation, except as provided by a valid gestational surrogacy contract, Article 7 of this Act, or other law; or

(4) after the child's birth, the person and the child's mother have entered into a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, even if the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is or could be declared invalid, and the person is named, with the person's written consent, as the child's parent on the child's birth certificate.

(b) If 2 or more conflicting presumptions arise under this Section, the presumption which on the facts is founded on the weightier considerations of policy and logic, especially the policy of promoting the child's best interests, controls.

Section 205. Proceedings to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship.

(a) An action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship may be brought by the child, the birth mother, or a person presumed to be a parent under Section 204 of this Act. Actions brought by the child, the birth mother, or a presumed parent shall be brought by verified complaint, which shall be designated a petition. After a presumption under Section 204 of this Act has been rebutted, parentage of the child by another man or woman may be established in the same action, if he or she has been made a party.

(b) An action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship brought under subsection (a) of this Section shall be barred if brought later than 2 years after the petitioner knew or should have known of the relevant facts. The 2-year period for bringing an action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship shall not extend beyond the date on which the child reaches the age of 18 years. Failure to bring an action within 2 years shall not bar any party from asserting a defense in any action to declare the existence of the parent-child relationship.

(c) An action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship may be brought subsequent to an adjudication of parentage in any judgment by the man adjudicated to be the parent pursuant to a presumption in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of Section 204 if, as a result of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing, it is discovered that the man adjudicated to be the parent is not the father of the child. Actions brought by the adjudicated father shall be brought by verified petition. If, as a result of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing that is admissible under Section 614 of this Act, the petitioner is determined not to be the father of the child, the adjudication of paternity and any orders regarding custody, parenting time, and future payments of support may be vacated.

(d) An action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship brought under subsection (c) of this Section shall be barred if brought more than 2 years after the petitioner obtains actual knowledge of relevant facts. The 2-year period shall not apply to periods of time where the birth mother or the child refuses to submit to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. The 2-year period for bringing an action to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship shall not extend beyond the date on which the child reaches the age of 18 years.

Section 206. Presumption; burden of proof. A person challenging a presumption under Section 204 of this Act may rebut the presumption with clear and convincing evidence.

ARTICLE 3. VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Section 301. Voluntary acknowledgment. A parent-child relationship may be established voluntarily by the signing and witnessing of a voluntary acknowledgment in accordance with Section 12 of the Vital Records Act and Section 10-17.7 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. The voluntary acknowledgment shall contain the last four digits of the social security numbers of the persons signing the voluntary acknowledgment; however, failure to include the social security numbers of the persons signing a voluntary acknowledgment does not invalidate the voluntary acknowledgment.

Section 302. Execution of voluntary acknowledgment.

(a) A voluntary acknowledgment described in Section 301 of this Act must:

(1) be in a record;

(2) be signed, or otherwise authenticated, under penalty of perjury by the mother and by the man seeking to establish his parentage;

(3) state that the child whose parentage is being acknowledged:

(A) does not have a presumed parent, or has a presumed parent whose full name is stated; and

(B) does not have another acknowledged or adjudicated parent;

(4) be witnessed; and

(5) state that the signatories understand that the acknowledgment is the equivalent of a judicial adjudication of parentage of the child and that a challenge to the acknowledgment is permitted only under limited circumstances and is barred after 2 years.

(b) An acknowledgment is void if it:

(1) states that another person is a presumed parent, unless a denial signed or otherwise authenticated by the presumed parent is filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided by law;

(2) states that another person is an acknowledged or adjudicated parent; or

(3) falsely denies the existence of a presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent of the child.

(c) A presumed father may sign or otherwise authenticate an acknowledgment.

Section 303. Denial of parentage. A presumed parent may sign a denial of parentage. The denial is valid only if:

(a) a voluntary acknowledgment described in Section 301 of this Act signed, or otherwise authenticated, by a man is filed pursuant to Section 305 of this Act;

(b) the denial is in a record, and is signed, or otherwise authenticated, under penalty of perjury; and

(c) the presumed parent has not previously:

(1) acknowledged his parentage, unless the previous acknowledgment has been rescinded under Section 307 of this Act or successfully challenged under Section 308 of this Act; or

(2) been adjudicated to be the parent of the child.

Section 304. Rules for acknowledgment and denial of parentage.

(a) An acknowledgment as described in Section 301 of this Act and a denial may be contained in a single document or may be signed in counterparts, and may be filed separately or simultaneously. If the acknowledgment and denial are both necessary, neither is valid until both are filed.

(b) An acknowledgment or a denial may be signed before the birth of the child.

(c) Subject to subsection (a), an acknowledgment or denial takes effect on the birth of the child or the filing of the document with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided by law, whichever occurs later.

(d) An acknowledgment or denial signed by a minor is valid if it is otherwise in compliance with this Act.

Section 305. Effect of acknowledgment or denial of parentage.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 307 and 308 of this Act, a valid acknowledgment filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided by law, is equivalent to an adjudication of the parentage of a child and confers upon the acknowledged father all of the rights and duties of a parent.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, parentage established in accordance with Section 301 of this Act has the full force and effect of a judgment entered under this Act and serves as a basis for seeking a child support order without any further proceedings to establish parentage.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 307 and 308 of this Act, a valid denial by a presumed parent filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided by law, in conjunction with a voluntary acknowledgment, is equivalent to an adjudication of the nonparentage of the presumed parent and discharges the presumed parent from all rights and duties of a parent.

Section 306. No filing fee. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided by law, may not charge a fee for filing a voluntary acknowledgment or denial.

Section 307. Proceeding for rescission. A signatory may rescind a voluntary acknowledgment or denial by filing a signed and witnessed rescission with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services as provided in Section 12 of the Vital Records Act, before the earlier of:

(a) 60 days after the effective date of the acknowledgment or denial, as provided in Section 304 of this Act; or

(b) the date of a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to the child (including a proceeding to establish a support order) in which the signatory is a party.

Section 308. Challenge after expiration of period for rescission. After the period for rescission under Section 307 of this Act has expired, a signatory of a voluntary acknowledgment or denial may commence a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or denial only as provided in Section 309 of this Act.

Section 309. Procedure for challenge.

(a) A voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial may be challenged only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact by filing a verified petition under this Section within 2 years after the effective date of the acknowledgment or denial, as provided in Section 304 of this Act. Time during which the person challenging the acknowledgment or denial is under legal disability or duress or the ground for relief is fraudulently concealed shall be excluded in computing the period of 2 years.

(b) The verified complaint, which shall be designated a petition, shall be filed in the county where a proceeding relating to the child was brought, such as a support proceeding or, if none exists, in the county where the child resides. Every signatory to the voluntary acknowledgment and any related denial must be made a party to a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or denial. The party challenging the acknowledgment or denial shall have the burden of proof. The burden of proof to challenge a voluntary acknowledgment is clear and convincing evidence.

(c) For the purpose of a challenge to an acknowledgment or denial, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction of this State by signing the acknowledgment and any related denial, effective upon the filing of the acknowledgment and any related denial with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, as provided in Section 12 of the Vital Records Act.

(d) Except for good cause shown, during the pendency of a proceeding to challenge an acknowledgment or denial, the court may not suspend the legal responsibilities of a signatory arising from the acknowledgment, including the duty to pay child support.

(e) At the conclusion of a proceeding to challenge an acknowledgment or denial, the court shall order the Department of Public Health to amend the birth record of the child, if appropriate. A copy of an order entered at the conclusion of a proceeding to challenge shall be provided to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Section 310. Ratification barred. A court or administrative agency conducting a judicial or administrative proceeding is not required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgment described in Section 301 of this Act.

Section 311. Full faith and credit. A court of this State shall give full faith and credit to a valid acknowledgment or denial of parentage effective in another state if the acknowledgment or denial has been signed and is otherwise in compliance with the law of the other state.

Section 312. Forms for acknowledgment and denial of parentage.

(a) To facilitate compliance with this Article, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall prescribe forms for the acknowledgment and the denial of parentage and for the rescission of acknowledgment or denial consistent with Section 307 of this Act.

(b) A voluntary acknowledgment or denial of parentage is not affected by a later modification of the prescribed form.

Section 313. Release of information. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services may release information relating to the acknowledgment described in Section 301 of this Act, or the related denial, to a signatory of the acknowledgment or denial; to the child's guardian, the emancipated child, or the legal representatives of those individuals; to appropriate federal agencies; and to courts and appropriate agencies of this State or another state.

Section 314. Adoption of rules. The Department of Public Health and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may adopt rules to implement this Article.

ARTICLE 4. GENETIC TESTING

Section 401. Proceeding authorized. As soon as practicable, a court or an administrative hearing officer in an Expedited Child Support System may, and upon the request of a party except as provided in Section 610 of this Act, or of the child, shall order or direct the mother, child, and alleged father to submit to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing to determine inherited characteristics. If any party refuses to submit to genetic testing, the court may resolve the question of paternity against that party or enforce its order if the rights of others and the interests of justice so require.

Section 402. Requirements for genetic testing.

(a) The genetic testing shall be conducted by an expert qualified as an examiner of blood or tissue types and appointed by the court. The expert shall determine the genetic testing procedures. However, any interested party, for good cause shown, in advance of the scheduled genetic testing, may request a hearing to object to the qualifications of the expert or the genetic testing procedures. The expert appointed by the court shall testify at the pre-test hearing at the expense of the party requesting the hearing, except for an indigent party as provided in Section 405 of this Act. An expert not appointed by the court shall testify at the pre-test hearing at the expense of the party retaining the expert. Inquiry into an expert's qualifications at the pre-test hearing shall not affect either party's right to have the expert qualified at trial.

(b) Genetic testing must be of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the field of genetic testing and performed in a testing laboratory accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks or a successor to its functions.

(c) A specimen used in genetic testing may consist of one or more samples, or a combination of samples, of blood, buccal cells, bone, hair, or other body tissue or fluid.

(d) The testing laboratory shall determine the databases from which to select frequencies for use in calculation of the probability of paternity based on the ethnic or racial group of an individual or individuals. If there is disagreement as to the testing laboratory's choice, the following rules apply:

(1) The individual objecting may require the testing laboratory, within 30 days after receipt of the report of the genetic testing, to recalculate the probability of paternity using an ethnic or racial group different from that used by the laboratory.

(2) The individual objecting to the testing laboratory's initial choice shall:

(A) if the frequencies are not available to the testing laboratory for the ethnic or racial group requested, provide the requested frequencies compiled in a manner recognized by accrediting bodies; or

(B) engage another testing laboratory to perform the calculations.

(e) If, after recalculation using a different ethnic or racial group, genetic testing does not reputably identify a man as the father of a child, an individual who has been tested may be required to submit to additional genetic testing.

Section 403. Genetic test results.

(a) The expert shall prepare a written report of the genetic test results. If the genetic test results show that the alleged father is not excluded, the report shall contain statistics based upon the statistical formula of combined paternity index (CPI) and the probability of paternity as determined by the probability of exclusion (Random Man Not Excluded = RMNE). The expert may be called by the court as a witness to testify to his or her findings and, if called, shall be subject to cross-examination by the parties. If the genetic test results show that the alleged father is not excluded, any party may demand that other experts, qualified as examiners of blood or tissue types, perform independent genetic testing under order of court, including, but not limited to, blood types or other testing of genetic markers. The results of the genetic testing may be offered into evidence. The number and qualifications of the experts shall be determined by the court.

(b) Documentation of the chain of custody of the blood or tissue samples, accompanied by an affidavit or certification in accordance with Section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure, is competent evidence to establish the chain of custody.

(c) The report of the genetic test results prepared by the appointed expert shall be made by affidavit or by certification as provided in Section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure and shall be mailed to all parties. A proof of service shall be filed with the court. The verified report shall be admitted into evidence at trial without foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy, unless a written motion challenging the admissibility of the report is filed by either party within 28 days of receipt of the report, in which case expert testimony shall be required. A party may not file such a motion challenging the admissibility of the report later than 28 days before commencement of trial. Before trial, the court shall determine whether the motion is sufficient to deny admission of the report by verification. Failure to make that timely motion constitutes a waiver of the right to object to admission by verification and shall not be grounds for a continuance of the hearing to establish paternity.

Section 404. Effect of genetic testing. Genetic testing taken under this Article shall have the following effect:

(a) If the court finds that the conclusion of the expert or experts, as disclosed by the evidence based upon the genetic testing, is that the alleged father is not the parent of the child, the question of paternity shall be resolved accordingly.

(b) If the experts disagree in their findings or conclusions, the question shall be weighed with other competent evidence of paternity.

(c) If the genetic testing results indicate that the alleged father is not excluded and that the combined paternity index is at least 1,000 to 1, and there is at least a 99.9% probability of paternity, the alleged father is presumed to be the father, and this evidence shall be admitted.

(d) A man identified under subsection (c) of this Section as the father of the child may rebut the genetic testing results by other genetic testing satisfying the requirements of this Article which:

(1) excludes the man as a genetic father of the child; or

(2) identifies another man as the possible father of the child.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, if more than one man is identified by genetic testing as the possible father of the child, the court shall order them to submit to further genetic testing to identify the genetic father.

Section 405. Cost of genetic testing. The expense of the genetic testing shall be paid by the party who requests the genetic testing, except that the court may apportion the costs between the parties, upon request. When the genetic testing is requested by the party seeking to establish paternity and that party is found to be indigent by the court, the expense shall be paid by the public agency providing representation; except that where a public agency is not providing representation, the expense shall be paid by the county in which the action is brought. When the genetic testing is ordered by the court on its own motion or is requested by the alleged or presumed father and that father is found to be indigent by the court, the expense shall be paid by the county in which the action is brought. Any part of the expense may be taxed as costs in the action, except that no costs may be taxed against a public agency that has not requested the genetic testing.

Section 406. Compensation of expert. The compensation of each expert witness appointed by the court shall be paid as provided in Section 405 of this Act. Any part of the payment may be taxed as costs in the action, except that no costs may be taxed against a public agency that has not requested the services of the expert witness.

Section 407. Independent genetic testing. Nothing in this Article shall prevent a party from obtaining genetic testing of his or her own blood or tissue independent of those ordered by the court or from presenting expert testimony interpreting those tests or any other blood tests ordered under this Article. Reports of all the independent tests, accompanied by affidavit or certification pursuant to Section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and notice of any expert witnesses to be called to testify to the results of those tests shall be submitted to all parties at least 30 days before any hearing set to determine the issue of parentage.

Section 408. Additional persons to be tested.

(a) Subject to subsection (b), if a genetic-testing specimen is not available from a man who may be the father of a child, for good cause and under circumstances the court considers to be just, the court may order the following individuals to submit specimens for genetic testing:

(1) the parents of the man;

(2) brothers and sisters of the man;

(3) other children of the man and their mothers; and

(4) other relatives of the man necessary to complete genetic testing.

(b) Issuance of an order under this Section requires a finding that a need for genetic testing outweighs the legitimate interests of the individual sought to be tested, and in no event shall an order be issued until the individual is joined as a party and given notice as required under the Code of Civil Procedure.

ARTICLE 5. TEMPORARY RELIEF

Section 501. Temporary orders.

(a) On a motion by a party and a showing of clear and convincing evidence of parentage, the court shall issue a temporary order for support of a child if the order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay support is:

(1) a presumed parent of the child;

(2) petitioning to have parentage adjudicated;

(3) identified as the father through genetic testing under Article 4 of this Act;

(4) an alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing;

(5) shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the child's father;

(6) the mother of the child; or

(7) anyone else determined to be the child's parent.

In determining the amount of a temporary 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) A temporary order may include provisions for custody and parenting time as provided by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(c) Temporary orders issued under this Section shall not have prejudicial effect with respect to final support, custody, or parenting time orders.

Section 502. Injunctive relief.

(a) In any action brought under this Act for the initial determination of parentage, custody or parenting time of a child, or for modification of a prior custody or parenting time order, the court, upon application of a party, may enjoin a party having physical possession or custody of a child from temporarily removing the child from this State pending the adjudication of the issues of parentage, custody, and parenting time. When deciding whether to enjoin removal of a child, or to order a party to return the child to this State, the court shall consider factors including, but not limited to:

(1) the extent of previous involvement with the child by the party seeking to enjoin removal or to have the absent party return the child to this State;

(2) the likelihood that parentage will be established; and

(3) the impact on the financial, physical, and emotional health of the party being enjoined from removing the child or the party being ordered to return the child to this State.

(b) A temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction under this Act shall be governed by the relevant provisions of Part 1 of Article XI of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section, the court may decline to enjoin a domestic violence victim having physical possession or custody of a child from temporarily or permanently removing the child from this State pending the adjudication of issues of custody or parenting time. In determining whether a person is a domestic violence victim, the court shall consider the following factors:

(1) a sworn statement by the person that the person has good reason to believe that he or she is the victim of domestic violence or stalking;

(2) a sworn statement that the person fears for his or her safety or the safety of his or her children;

(3) evidence from police, court, or other government agency records or files;

(4) documentation from a domestic violence program if the person is alleged to be a victim of domestic violence;

(5) documentation from a legal, clerical, medical, or other professional from whom the person has sought assistance in dealing with the alleged domestic violence; and

(6) any other evidence that supports the sworn statements, such as a statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provides the basis for the claim, or physical evidence of the domestic violence.

ARTICLE 6. PROCEEDING TO ADJUDICATE PARENTAGE

Section 601. Proceeding authorized. A civil proceeding may be maintained to adjudicate the parentage of a child. The proceeding is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure and Illinois Supreme Court Rules. Administrative proceedings adjudicating paternity shall be governed by Section 10-17.7 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

Section 602. Standing. A complaint to adjudicate parentage shall be verified, shall be designated a petition, and shall name the person or persons alleged to be the parent of the child. Subject to Article 3 and Sections 607, 608, and 609 of this Act, a proceeding to adjudicate parentage may be maintained by:

(a) the child;

(b) the mother of the child;

(c) a pregnant woman;

(d) a man presumed or alleging himself to be the parent of the child;

(e) a woman presumed or alleging herself to be the parent of the child;

(f) the support-enforcement agency or other governmental agency authorized by other law;

(g) any person or public agency that has custody of, is providing financial support to, or has provided financial support to the child;

(h) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services if it is providing, or has provided, financial support to the child or if it is assisting with child support collections services;

(i) an authorized adoption agency or licensed child-placing agency;

(j) a representative authorized by law to act for an individual who would otherwise be entitled to maintain a proceeding but who is deceased, incapacitated, or a minor;

(k) an intended parent pursuant to the terms of a valid gestational surrogacy contract; or

(l) an individual who has consented or has allegedly consented to assisted reproduction pursuant to Article 7 of this Act.

Section 603. Subject matter and personal jurisdiction.

(a) The circuit courts of this State shall have jurisdiction of an action brought under this Act. In a civil action not brought under this Act, the provisions of this Act shall apply if parentage is at issue. The court may join any action under this Act with any other civil action in which this Act is applicable.

(b) An individual may not be adjudicated to be a parent unless the court has personal jurisdiction over the individual.

(c) A court of this State having jurisdiction to adjudicate parentage may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual, or the guardian or conservator of the individual, if the conditions prescribed in Section 201 of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act are fulfilled.

(d) Lack of jurisdiction over one individual does not preclude the court from making an adjudication of parentage binding on another individual over whom the court has personal jurisdiction.

Section 604. Venue.

(a) Venue for a proceeding to adjudicate parentage is any county of this State in which a party resides, or if the presumed or alleged father is deceased, in which a proceeding for probate or administration of the presumed or alleged father's estate has been commenced, or could be commenced.

(b) A child custody proceeding is commenced in the county where the child resides.

Section 605. Notice to presumed parent.

(a) In any action brought under Article 3 or Article 6 of this Act where the individual signing the petition for an order establishing the existence of the parent-child relationship by consent or the individual alleged to be the parent in a petition is different from an individual who is presumed to be parent of the child under Article 2 of this Act, a notice shall be served on the presumed parent in the same manner as summonses are served in other civil proceedings or, in lieu of personal service, service may be made as follows:

(1) The person requesting notice shall pay to the clerk of the circuit court a mailing fee of $1.50 and furnish to the clerk of the circuit court an original and one copy of a notice together with an affidavit setting forth the presumed parent's last known address. The original notice shall be retained by the clerk of the circuit court.

(2) The clerk of the circuit court shall promptly mail to the presumed parent, at the address appearing in the affidavit, the copy of the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. The envelope and return receipt shall bear the return address of the clerk of the circuit court. The receipt for certified mail shall state the name and address of the addressee and the date of mailing and shall be attached to the original notice.

(3) The return receipt, when returned to the clerk of the circuit court, shall be attached to the original notice and shall constitute proof of service.

(4) The clerk of the circuit court shall note the fact of service in a permanent record.

(b) The notice shall read as follows:

"IN THE MATTER OF NOTICE TO .......... PRESUMED PARENT.

You have been identified as the presumed parent of ......... , born on ......... The birth parent of the child is .........

An action is being brought to establish the parent-child relationship between the named child and a parent named by the person filing this action, .........

As the presumed parent, you have certain legal rights with respect to the named child, including the right to notice of the filing of proceedings instituted for the establishment of parentage of the named child and, if named as a parent in a petition to establish parentage, the right to submit to, along with the birth parent and child, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests to determine inherited characteristics, subject to Section 610 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. If you wish to assert your rights with respect to the child named in this notice, you must file with the Clerk of this Circuit Court of ......... County, Illinois, whose address is ........ , within 30 days after the date of receipt of this notice, a declaration of parentage stating that you are, in fact, the parent of the named child and that you intend to assert your legal rights with respect to the child, or that you request to be notified of any further proceedings with respect to the parentage of the child.

If you do not file a declaration of parentage or a request for notice, then whatever legal rights you have with respect to the named child, including the right to notice of any future proceedings for the establishment of parentage of the child, may be terminated without any further notice to you. When your legal rights with respect to the named child are terminated, you will not be entitled to notice of any future proceedings.".

(c) The notice to a presumed parent under this Section in any action brought by a public agency shall be prepared and mailed by the public agency, and the mailing fee to the clerk of the circuit court shall be waived.

Section 606. Summons. The summons that is served on a respondent shall include the return date on or by which the respondent must appear and shall contain the following information, in a prominent place and in conspicuous language, in addition to the information required to be provided under the laws of this State: "If you do not appear as instructed in this summons, you may be required to support the child named in this petition until the child is at least 18 years old. You may also have to pay the pregnancy and delivery costs of the mother.".

Section 607. No limitation; child having no presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent. A proceeding to adjudicate the parentage of a child having no presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent may be commenced at any time, even after:

(a) the child becomes an adult, but only if the child initiates the proceeding; or

(b) an earlier proceeding to adjudicate parentage has been dismissed based on the application of a statute of limitations then in effect.

Section 608. Limitation; child having presumed parent.

(a) An alleged father, as that term is defined in Section 103 of this Act, must commence an action to establish a parent-child relationship for a child having a presumed parent not later than 2 years after the petitioner knew or should have known of the relevant facts. The time the petitioner is under legal disability or duress or the ground for relief is fraudulently concealed shall be excluded in computing the period of 2 years.

(b) A proceeding seeking to declare the non-existence of the parent-child relationship between a child and the child's presumed father may be maintained at any time by a person described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of Section 204 of this Act if the court determines that the presumed father and the mother of the child neither cohabited nor engaged in sexual intercourse with each other during the probable time of conception.

Section 609. Limitation; child having acknowledged or adjudicated parent.

(a) If a child has an acknowledged parent, a signatory to the acknowledgment described in Section 301 of this Act or related denial may commence a proceeding seeking to challenge the acknowledgment or denial or challenge the paternity of the child only within the time allowed under Section 309 of this Act.

(b) If a child has an acknowledged parent or an adjudicated parent, an individual, other than the child, who is neither a signatory to the acknowledgment nor a party to the adjudication and who seeks an adjudication of parentage of the child must commence a proceeding not later than 2 years after the effective date of the acknowledgment or adjudication.

(c) A proceeding under this Section is subject to the application of the principles of estoppel established in Section 610 of this Act.

Section 610. Authority to deny motion for genetic testing.

(a) In a proceeding to adjudicate the parentage of a child having a presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent, the court may deny a motion by a parent, presumed parent, acknowledged parent, adjudicated parent, or alleged parent seeking an order for genetic testing of the parents and child if the court determines that:

(1) the conduct of the parent, acknowledged parent, adjudicated parent, or the presumed parent estops that party from denying parentage;

(2) it would be inequitable to disprove the parent-child relationship between the child and the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent; and

(3) it is in the child's best interests to deny genetic testing, taking into account the following factors:

(A) the length of time between the current proceeding to adjudicate parentage and the time that the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent was placed on notice that he or she might not be the biological parent;

(B) the length of time during which the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent has assumed the role of parent of the child;

(C) the facts surrounding the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent's discovery of his or her possible nonparentage;

(D) the nature of the relationship between the child and the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent;

(E) the age of the child;

(F) the harm that may result to the child if the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parentage is successfully disproved;

(G) the nature of the relationship between the child and any alleged parent;

(H) the extent to which the passage of time reduces the chances of establishing the parentage of another person and a child support obligation in favor of the child;

(I) other factors that may affect the equities arising from the disruption of the parent-child relationship between the child and the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent or the chance of other harm to the child; and

(J) any other factors the court determines to be equitable.

(b) In a proceeding involving the application of this Section, a minor or incapacitated child must be represented by a guardian ad litem, child's representative, or attorney for the child.

(c) If the court denies a motion seeking an order for genetic testing, it shall issue an order adjudicating the presumed parent to be the parent of the child.

Section 611. Joinder of proceedings.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), a proceeding to adjudicate parentage may be joined with a proceeding for adoption, termination of parental rights, child custody or parenting time, child support, dissolution of marriage or civil union, declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union, legal separation, probate or administration of an estate, or other appropriate proceeding.

(b) A respondent may not join a proceeding described in subsection (a) with a proceeding to adjudicate parentage brought under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

Section 612. Proceeding before birth. A proceeding to establish parentage may be commenced before the birth of the child, but may not be concluded until after the birth of the child. The following actions may be taken before the birth of the child:

(a) service of process;

(b) the taking of depositions to perpetuate testimony; and

(c) except as prohibited by Article 4 of this Act, collection of specimens for genetic testing.

Section 613. Child as party; representation.

(a) A minor child is a permissible party, but is not a necessary party to a proceeding under this Article.

(b) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, child's representative, or attorney for the child to represent a minor or incapacitated child if the child is a party or the court finds that the interests of the child are not adequately represented.

Section 614. Admissibility of results of genetic testing; expenses.

(a) If a child has a presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent, the results of genetic testing are inadmissible to adjudicate parentage unless performed:

(1) with the consent of both the mother and the presumed, acknowledged, or adjudicated parent; or

(2) pursuant to an order of the court under Section 402 of this Act.

(b) Copies of bills for genetic testing and for prenatal and postnatal health care for the mother and child which are furnished to the adverse party not less than 10 days before the date of a hearing are admissible to establish:

(1) the amount of the charges billed; and

(2) that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary.

(c) Certified copies of the bills for costs incurred for pregnancy and childbirth shall be admitted into evidence at judicial or administrative proceedings without foundation testimony or other proof of authenticity or accuracy.

Section 615. Consequences of declining genetic testing.

(a) An order for genetic testing is enforceable through a proceeding for adjudication of contempt.

(b) If an individual whose parentage is being determined declines to submit to genetic testing ordered by the court or administrative agency, the court or administrative agency may adjudicate parentage contrary to the position of that individual.

(c) Genetic testing of the mother of a child is not a condition precedent to genetically testing the child and a man whose paternity is being determined. If the mother is unavailable or declines to submit to genetic testing, the court or administrative agency may order the genetic testing of the child and every man whose paternity is being adjudicated.

Section 616. Admission of parentage authorized.

(a) A respondent in a proceeding to adjudicate parentage may admit to the parentage of a child by filing a pleading to that effect or by admitting parentage under penalty of perjury when making an appearance or during a hearing.

(b) If the court finds that the admission of parentage satisfies the requirements of this Section and finds that there is no reason to question the admission, the court shall enter an order adjudicating the child to be the child of the person admitting parentage.

Section 617. Rules for adjudication of parentage. The court shall apply the following rules to adjudicate the parentage of a child:

(a) The parentage of a child having an adjudicated parent may be disproved only by admissible results of genetic testing, or other means, excluding that person as the parent of the child or identifying another person as the parent of the child.

(b) Unless the results of the genetic testing or other evidence are admitted to rebut other results of genetic testing, a person identified as the parent of a child under Section 404 of this Act may be adjudicated the parent of the child.

(c) If the court finds that genetic testing under Section 404 neither identifies nor excludes a person as the parent of a child, the court may not dismiss the proceeding. In that event, the results of genetic testing and other evidence are admissible to adjudicate the issue of parentage.

(d) Unless the results of genetic testing are admitted to rebut other results of genetic testing, a person excluded as the parent of a child by genetic testing may be adjudicated not to be the parent of the child.

Section 618. Pre-trial proceedings. As soon as practicable after an action to declare the existence or non-existence of the parent-child relationship has been brought, and the parties are at issue, the court may conduct a pre-trial conference.

Section 619. Jury prohibited. Trial by jury is not available under this Act.

Section 620. Order on default. The court may issue an order adjudicating the parentage of a person who is in default after service of process.

Section 621. Binding effect of determination of parentage.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Section, a determination of parentage is binding on:

(1) all signatories to an acknowledgment or denial as provided in Article 3 of this Act; and

(2) all parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of Section 201 of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

(b) A child is not bound by a determination of parentage under this Act unless:

(1) the determination was based on an unrescinded acknowledgment as provided in Article 3 of this Act and the acknowledgment is consistent with the results of genetic testing;

(2) the adjudication of parentage was based on a finding consistent with the results of genetic testing and the consistency is declared in the determination or is otherwise shown;

(3) the child was a party or was represented in the proceeding determining parentage by a guardian ad litem, child's representative or attorney for the child.

(4) the child was no longer a minor at the time the proceeding was initiated and was the moving party resulting in the parentage determination.

(c) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, declaration of invalidity of marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, or legal separation, the court is deemed to have made an adjudication of the parentage of a child if the court acts under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of Section 201 of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, and the final order:

(1) expressly identifies a child as a "child of the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship", "issue of the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship", or uses similar words indicating that a party to the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is the parent of the child; or

(2) provides for support of the child by the parties to the marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship, unless parentage is specifically disclaimed in the order.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Section, a determination of parentage may be a defense in a subsequent proceeding seeking to adjudicate parentage by an individual who was not a party to the earlier proceeding.

(e) A party to an adjudication of parentage may challenge the adjudication only under the laws of this State relating to appeal, vacation of judgments, or other judicial review.

Section 622. Custody or visitation prohibited to men who father through sexual assault or sexual abuse.

(a) This Section applies to a person who has been found to be the father of a child under this Act and who:

(1) has been convicted of or who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of Section 11-1.20 (criminal sexual assault), Section 11-1.30 (aggravated criminal sexual assault), Section 11-1.40 (predatory criminal sexual assault of a child), Section 11-1.50 (criminal sexual abuse), Section 11-1.60 (aggravated criminal sexual abuse), Section 11-11 (sexual relations within families), Section 12-13 (criminal sexual assault), Section 12-14 (aggravated criminal sexual assault), Section 12-14.1 (predatory criminal sexual assault of a child), Section 12-15 (criminal sexual abuse), or Section 12-16 (aggravated criminal sexual abuse) of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, or a similar statute in another jurisdiction, for his conduct in fathering that child; or

(2) at a fact-finding hearing, is found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed an act of non-consensual sexual penetration for his conduct in fathering that child.

(b) A person described in subsection (a) shall not be entitled to custody of or visitation with that child without the consent of the child's mother or guardian. If the person described in subsection (a) is also the guardian of the child, he does not have the authority to consent to visitation or custody under this Section. If the mother of the child is a minor, and the person described in subsection (a) is also the father or guardian of the mother, then he does not have the authority to consent to custody or visits.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, nothing in this Section shall be construed to relieve the father described in subsection (a) of any support and maintenance obligations to the child under this Act. The child's mother or guardian may decline support and maintenance obligations from the father.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the father described in subsection (a) of this Section is not entitled to any inheritance or other rights from the child without the consent of the child's mother or guardian.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling of the person described in subsection (a) of this Section does not have standing to bring an action requesting custody or visitation with the child without the consent of the child's mother or guardian.

(f) A petition under this Section may be filed by the child's mother or guardian either as an affirmative petition in circuit court or as an affirmative defense in any proceeding filed by the person described in subsection (a) of this Section regarding the child.

ARTICLE 7. CHILD OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Section 701. Scope of Article. This Article does not apply to the birth of a child conceived by means of sexual intercourse or as a result of a valid gestational surrogacy contract under the Gestational Surrogacy Act or other law.

Section 702. Parental status of donor. Except as provided in this Act, a donor is not a parent of a child conceived by means of assisted reproduction.

Section 703. Parentage of a child of assisted reproduction. A person who provides gametes for, or consents to, assisted reproduction by a woman as provided in Section 704 of this Act with the intent to be the parent of her child is a parent of the resulting child.

Section 704. Consent to assisted reproduction.

(a) Consent by an individual who intends to be a parent of a child born to a woman must be in a writing signed by the woman and the individual consenting to be the parent. A writing includes a certificate of birth naming both intended parents or a written ratification of a prior oral agreement to assisted reproduction.

(b) Failure to establish the consent required by subsection (a) of this Section, before or after the birth of the child, does not preclude a presumption under Section 204 of this Act.

(c) In order to be valid, both parties signing a consent under this Section must be at least 18 years of age at the time the writing is executed.

(d) A consent may not be entered that would result in the birth of a child created by sperm and eggs of parties who are blood relatives of the first degree.

Section 705. Effect of petition or withdrawal of consent.

(a) If a petition for legal separation or for the dissolution or declaration of invalidity of a marriage, civil union, or substantially similar legal relationship is filed and properly served or notice is given of the filing of the petition to the other party before implantation of existing gametes or an embryo or embryos, then consent to assisted reproduction shall be treated as being withdrawn unless the party and the woman, after the filing of the petition or the giving of notice of the filing of the petition to the other party, sign a new writing consenting to the assisted reproduction or ratify, in writing, a prior written consent.

(b) Consent to assisted reproduction may be withdrawn by an individual in a writing given with proper notice to the other party at any time before implantation of the gametes or an embryo or embryos. An individual who withdraws consent under this Section is not a parent of any resulting child.

Section 706. Parental status of deceased individual. If an individual does not consent in a writing to be a parent by assisted reproduction after death and dies before the implantation of gametes or an embryo or embryos, the deceased individual is not a parent of the resulting child.

Section 707. Burden of proof. A consent executed under Section 704 of this Act or a withdrawal of consent under Section 705 of this Act must be proven by clear and convincing evidence.

ARTICLE 8. SUPPORT AND JUDGMENT

Section 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.

Section 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 initials and year 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 provisions concerning the custody and 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 custody, joint custody, removal, 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) If a judgment of parentage contains no explicit award of custody, the establishment of a child support obligation or of parenting time rights in one parent shall be considered a judgment granting custody to the other parent. If the parentage judgment contains no such provisions, custody shall be presumed to be with the mother; however, the presumption shall not apply if the father has had physical custody for at least 6 months prior to the date that the mother seeks to enforce custodial rights.

(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 father's prior knowledge 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 father of the child's needs or attempted to seek or require his help 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 father 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 father's net income for the prior period was the same as his net income at the time the order for current child support is entered.

If (i) the non-custodial parent was properly served with a request for discovery of financial information relating to the non-custodial parent's ability to provide child support; (ii) the non-custodial parent failed to comply with the request, despite having been ordered to do so by the court; and (iii) the non-custodial parent is not present at the hearing to determine support despite having received proper notice, then any relevant financial information concerning the non-custodial parent's ability to provide child 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.

Section 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, year of birth, mailing address, and the last 4 digits of the obligor's social security 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, the last 4 digits of the obligor's 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 initials of the child or children covered by the order for support.

(2) The years of birth of the obligee and the child or children covered by the order for support.

(3) The last 4 digits of the social security 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 the last 4 digits of the obligee's 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.

Section 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.

Section 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 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 808. Modification of judgment. The court has continuing jurisdiction to modify an order for support, custody, parenting time, or removal included in a judgment entered under this Act. Any custody, parenting time, or removal 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.

Section 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, custody, parenting time, education, parentage, property interest, 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 816. Notice to the clerk of 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.

ARTICLE 9. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 901. Burden of proof. Absent a burden of proof specifically set forth in this Act, the burden of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

Section 902. Severability clause. If any provision of this Act or its application to an individual or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

Section 903. Transitional provision. A proceeding to adjudicate parentage which was commenced before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the proceeding was commenced.

Section 904. Savings provision. The repeal of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 and the Illinois Parentage Act shall not affect rights or liabilities under those Act which have been determined, settled, or adjudicated prior to the effective date of this Act or which are the subject of proceedings pending on the effective date of this Act. This Act shall not be construed to bar an action which would have been barred because the action had not been filed within a time limitation under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 and the Illinois Parentage Act, or which could not have been maintained under those Acts, as long as the action is not barred by a limitations period set forth in this Act.

Section 905. Other states' establishments of parentage. Establishments of parentage made under the laws of other states shall be given full faith and credit in this State regardless of whether parentage was established through voluntary acknowledgment or through judicial or administrative processes.

Section 951. The Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 1005-130 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1005/1005-130) (was 20 ILCS 1005/43a.14)

Sec. 1005-130. Exchange of information for child support enforcement.

(a) The Department has the power to exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to the contrary, the Department of Employment Security shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 952. The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2105-15 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2105/2105-15)

Sec. 2105-15. General powers and duties.

(a) The Department has, subject to the provisions of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the following powers and duties:

(1) To authorize examinations in English to ascertain the qualifications and fitness of applicants to exercise the profession, trade, or occupation for which the examination is held.

(2) To prescribe rules and regulations for a fair and wholly impartial method of examination of candidates to exercise the respective professions, trades, or occupations.

(3) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for licenses, certificates, and authorities, whether by examination, by reciprocity, or by endorsement.

(4) To prescribe rules and regulations defining, for the respective professions, trades, and occupations, what shall constitute a school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution, reputable and in good standing, and to determine the reputability and good standing of a school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution, reputable and in good standing, by reference to a compliance with those rules and regulations; provided, that no school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution that refuses admittance to applicants solely on account of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin shall be considered reputable and in good standing.

(5) To conduct hearings on proceedings to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, or take other disciplinary action as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to licenses, certificates, or authorities of persons exercising the respective professions, trades, or occupations and to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, or take other disciplinary action as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to those licenses, certificates, or authorities. The Department shall issue a monthly disciplinary report. The Department shall deny any license or renewal authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the aforementioned persons have established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other appropriate governmental agency of this State. Additionally, beginning June 1, 1996, any license issued by the Department may be suspended or revoked if the Department, after the opportunity for a hearing under the appropriate licensing Act, finds that the licensee has failed to make satisfactory repayment to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for a delinquent or defaulted loan. For the purposes of this Section, "satisfactory repayment record" shall be defined by rule. The Department shall refuse to issue or renew a license to, or shall suspend or revoke a license of, any person who, after receiving notice, fails to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a paternity or child support proceeding. However, the Department may issue a license or renewal upon compliance with the subpoena or warrant.

The Department, without further process or hearings, shall revoke, suspend, or deny any license or renewal authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to a person who is certified by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) as being more than 30 days delinquent in complying with a child support order or who is certified by a court as being in violation of the Non-Support Punishment Act for more than 60 days. The Department may, however, issue a license or renewal if the person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) or if the person is determined by the court to be in compliance with the Non-Support Punishment Act. The Department may implement this paragraph as added by Public Act 89-6 through the use of emergency rules in accordance with Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. For purposes of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of rules to implement this paragraph shall be considered an emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

(6) To transfer jurisdiction of any realty under the control of the Department to any other department of the State Government or to acquire or accept federal lands when the transfer, acquisition, or acceptance is advantageous to the State and is approved in writing by the Governor.

(7) To formulate rules and regulations necessary for the enforcement of any Act administered by the Department.

(8) To exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Department of Professional Regulation shall not be liable under any federal or State law to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this paragraph (8) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this paragraph (8).

(8.5) To accept continuing education credit for mandated reporter training on how to recognize and report child abuse offered by the Department of Children and Family Services and completed by any person who holds a professional license issued by the Department and who is a mandated reporter under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this paragraph.

(9) To perform other duties prescribed by law.

(a-5) Except in cases involving default on an educational loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State or in cases involving delinquency in complying with a child support order or violation of the Non-Support Punishment Act, no person or entity whose license, certificate, or authority has been revoked as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department may apply for restoration of that license, certification, or authority until 3 years after the effective date of the revocation.

(b) The Department may, when a fee is payable to the Department for a wall certificate of registration provided by the Department of Central Management Services, require that portion of the payment for printing and distribution costs be made directly or through the Department to the Department of Central Management Services for deposit into the Paper and Printing Revolving Fund. The remainder shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

(c) For the purpose of securing and preparing evidence, and for the purchase of controlled substances, professional services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities, recoupment of investigative costs, and other activities directed at suppressing the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, including those activities set forth in Sections 504 and 508 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Director and agents appointed and authorized by the Director may expend sums from the Professional Regulation Evidence Fund that the Director deems necessary from the amounts appropriated for that purpose. Those sums may be advanced to the agent when the Director deems that procedure to be in the public interest. Sums for the purchase of controlled substances, professional services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities and other activities as set forth in this Section shall be advanced to the agent who is to make the purchase from the Professional Regulation Evidence Fund on vouchers signed by the Director. The Director and those agents are authorized to maintain one or more commercial checking accounts with any State banking corporation or corporations organized under or subject to the Illinois Banking Act for the deposit and withdrawal of moneys to be used for the purposes set forth in this Section; provided, that no check may be written nor any withdrawal made from any such account except upon the written signatures of 2 persons designated by the Director to write those checks and make those withdrawals. Vouchers for those expenditures must be signed by the Director. All such expenditures shall be audited by the Director, and the audit shall be submitted to the Department of Central Management Services for approval.

(d) Whenever the Department is authorized or required by law to consider some aspect of criminal history record information for the purpose of carrying out its statutory powers and responsibilities, then, upon request and payment of fees in conformance with the requirements of Section 2605-400 of the Department of State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605/2605-400), the Department of State Police is authorized to furnish, pursuant to positive identification, the information contained in State files that is necessary to fulfill the request.

(e) The provisions of this Section do not apply to private business and vocational schools as defined by Section 15 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012.

(f) Beginning July 1, 1995, this Section does not apply to those professions, trades, and occupations licensed under the Real Estate License Act of 2000, nor does it apply to any permits, certificates, or other authorizations to do business provided for in the Land Sales Registration Act of 1989 or the Illinois Real Estate Time-Share Act.

(g) Notwithstanding anything that may appear in any individual licensing statute or administrative rule, the Department shall deny any license application or renewal authorized under any licensing Act administered by the Department to any person who has failed to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirement of any such tax Act are satisfied; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Department of Revenue. For the purpose of this Section, "satisfactory repayment record" shall be defined by rule.

In addition, a complaint filed with the Department by the Illinois Department of Revenue that includes a certification, signed by its Director or designee, attesting to the amount of the unpaid tax liability or the years for which a return was not filed, or both, is prima facie evidence of the licensee's failure to comply with the tax laws administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue. Upon receipt of that certification, the Department shall, without a hearing, immediately suspend all licenses held by the licensee. Enforcement of the Department's order shall be stayed for 60 days. The Department shall provide notice of the suspension to the licensee by mailing a copy of the Department's order by certified and regular mail to the licensee's last known address as registered with the Department. The notice shall advise the licensee that the suspension shall be effective 60 days after the issuance of the Department's order unless the Department receives, from the licensee, a request for a hearing before the Department to dispute the matters contained in the order.

Any suspension imposed under this subsection (g) shall be terminated by the Department upon notification from the Illinois Department of Revenue that the licensee is in compliance with all tax laws administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The Department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this subsection (g).

(h) The Department may grant the title "Retired", to be used immediately adjacent to the title of a profession regulated by the Department, to eligible retirees. The use of the title "Retired" shall not constitute representation of current licensure, registration, or certification. Any person without an active license, registration, or certificate in a profession that requires licensure, registration, or certification shall not be permitted to practice that profession.

(i) Within 180 days after December 23, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-852), the Department shall promulgate rules which permit a person with a criminal record, who seeks a license or certificate in an occupation for which a criminal record is not expressly a per se bar, to apply to the Department for a non-binding, advisory opinion to be provided by the Board or body with the authority to issue the license or certificate as to whether his or her criminal record would bar the individual from the licensure or certification sought, should the individual meet all other licensure requirements including, but not limited to, the successful completion of the relevant examinations.

(Source: P.A. 97-650, eff. 2-1-12; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-850, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 953. The Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 2505-65 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2505/2505-65) (was 20 ILCS 2505/39b12)

Sec. 2505-65. Exchange of information.

(a) The Department has the power to exchange with any state, with any local subdivisions of any state, or with the federal government, except when specifically prohibited by law, any information that may be necessary to efficient tax administration and that may be acquired as a result of the administration of the laws set forth in the Sections following Section 95-10 and preceding Section 2505-60.

(b) The Department has the power to exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Department of Revenue shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this subsection (b) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this subsection (b).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 954. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section 3-5036.5 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/3-5036.5)

Sec. 3-5036.5. Exchange of information for child support enforcement.

(a) The Recorder shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Recorder shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 955. The Collection Agency Act is amended by changing Section 2.04 as follows:

(225 ILCS 425/2.04) (from Ch. 111, par. 2005.1)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)

Sec. 2.04. Child support indebtedness.

(a) Persons, associations, partnerships, corporations, or other legal entities engaged in the business of collecting child support indebtedness owing under a court order as provided under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or similar laws of other states are not restricted (i) in the frequency of contact with an obligor who is in arrears, whether by phone, mail, or other means, (ii) from contacting the employer of an obligor who is in arrears, (iii) from publishing or threatening to publish a list of obligors in arrears, (iv) from disclosing or threatening to disclose an arrearage that the obligor disputes, but for which a verified notice of delinquency has been served under the Income Withholding for Support Act (or any of its predecessors, Section 10-16.2 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, Section 706.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Section 4.1 of the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, Section 26.1 of the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, or Section 20 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984), or (v) from engaging in conduct that would not cause a reasonable person mental or physical illness. For purposes of this subsection, "obligor" means an individual who owes a duty to make periodic payments, under a court order, for the support of a child. "Arrearage" means the total amount of an obligor's unpaid child support obligations.

(a-5) A collection agency may not impose a fee or charge, including costs, for any child support payments collected through the efforts of a federal, State, or local government agency, including but not limited to child support collected from federal or State tax refunds, unemployment benefits, or Social Security benefits.

No collection agency that collects child support payments shall (i) impose a charge or fee, including costs, for collection of a current child support payment, (ii) fail to apply collections to current support as specified in the order for support before applying collection to arrears or other amounts, or (iii) designate a current child support payment as arrears or other amount owed. In all circumstances, the collection agency shall turn over to the obligee all support collected in a month up to the amount of current support required to be paid for that month.

As to any fees or charges, including costs, retained by the collection agency, that agency shall provide documentation to the obligee demonstrating that the child support payments resulted from the actions of the agency.

After collection of the total amount or arrearage, including statutory interest, due as of the date of execution of the collection contract, no further fees may be charged.

(a-10) The Department of Professional Regulation shall determine a fee rate of not less than 25% but not greater than 35%, based upon presentation by the licensees as to costs to provide the service and a fair rate of return. This rate shall be established by administrative rule.

Without prejudice to the determination by the Department of the appropriate rate through administrative rule, a collection agency shall impose a fee of not more than 29% of the amount of child support actually collected by the collection agency subject to the provisions of subsection (a-5). This interim rate is based upon the March 2002 General Account Office report "Child Support Enforcement", GAO-02-349. This rate shall apply until a fee rate is established by administrative rule.

(b) The Department shall adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 93-896, eff. 8-10-04; 94-414, eff. 12-31-05.)

Section 956. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Sections 10-3.1, 10-16.7, 10-17, 10-17.7, 10-19, 10-25, 10-25.5, 10-27, and 12-4.7c as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/10-3.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 10-3.1)

Sec. 10-3.1. Child and Spouse Support Unit. The Illinois Department shall establish within its administrative staff a Child and Spouse Support Unit to search for and locate absent parents and spouses liable for the support of persons resident in this State and to exercise the support enforcement powers and responsibilities assigned the Department by this Article. The unit shall cooperate with all law enforcement officials in this State and with the authorities of other States in locating persons responsible for the support of persons resident in other States and shall invite the cooperation of these authorities in the performance of its duties.

In addition to other duties assigned the Child and Spouse Support Unit by this Article, the Unit may refer to the Attorney General or units of local government with the approval of the Attorney General, any actions under Sections 10-10 and 10-15 for judicial enforcement of the support liability. The Child and Spouse Support Unit shall act for the Department in referring to the Attorney General support matters requiring judicial enforcement under other laws. If requested by the Attorney General to so act, as provided in Section 12-16, attorneys of the Unit may assist the Attorney General or themselves institute actions on in behalf of the Illinois Department under the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act; under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015; under the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act; under the Non-Support Punishment Act; or under any other law, State or Federal, providing for support of a spouse or dependent child.

The Illinois Department shall also have the authority to enter into agreements with local governmental units or individuals, with the approval of the Attorney General, for the collection of moneys owing because of the failure of a parent to make child support payments for any child receiving services under this Article. Such agreements may be on a contingent fee basis, but such contingent fee shall not exceed 25% of the total amount collected.

An attorney who provides representation pursuant to this Section shall represent the Illinois Department exclusively. Regardless of the designation of the plaintiff in an action brought pursuant to this Section, an attorney-client relationship does not exist for purposes of that action between that attorney and (i) an applicant for or recipient of child support enforcement services or (ii) any other party to the action other than the Illinois Department. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to modify any power or duty (including a duty to maintain confidentiality) of the Child and Spouse Support Unit or the Illinois Department otherwise provided by law.

The Illinois Department may also enter into agreements with local governmental units for the Child and Spouse Support Unit to exercise the investigative and enforcement powers designated in this Article, including the issuance of administrative orders under Section 10-11, in locating responsible relatives and obtaining support for persons applying for or receiving aid under Article VI. Payments for defrayment of administrative costs and support payments obtained shall be deposited into the DHS Recoveries Trust Fund. Support payments shall be paid over to the General Assistance Fund of the local governmental unit at such time or times as the agreement may specify.

With respect to those cases in which it has support enforcement powers and responsibilities under this Article, the Illinois Department may provide by rule for periodic or other review of each administrative and court order for support to determine whether a modification of the order should be sought. The Illinois Department shall provide for and conduct such review in accordance with any applicable federal law and regulation.

As part of its process for review of orders for support, the Illinois Department, through written notice, may require the responsible relative to disclose his or her Social Security Number and past and present information concerning the relative's address, employment, gross wages, deductions from gross wages, net wages, bonuses, commissions, number of dependent exemptions claimed, individual and dependent health insurance coverage, and any other information necessary to determine the relative's ability to provide support in a case receiving child support enforcement services under this Article X.

The Illinois Department may send a written request for the same information to the relative's employer. The employer shall respond to the request for information within 15 days after the date the employer receives the request. If the employer willfully fails to fully respond within the 15-day period, the employer shall pay a penalty of $100 for each day that the response is not provided to the Illinois Department after the 15-day period has expired. The penalty may be collected in a civil action which may be brought against the employer in favor of the Illinois Department.

A written request for information sent to an employer pursuant to this Section shall consist of (i) a citation of this Section as the statutory authority for the request and for the employer's obligation to provide the requested information, (ii) a returnable form setting forth the employer's name and address and listing the name of the employee with respect to whom information is requested, and (iii) a citation of this Section as the statutory authority authorizing the employer to withhold a fee of up to $20 from the wages or income to be paid to each responsible relative for providing the information to the Illinois Department within the 15-day period. If the employer is withholding support payments from the responsible relative's income pursuant to an order for withholding, the employer may withhold the fee provided for in this Section only after withholding support as required under the order. Any amounts withheld from the responsible relative's income for payment of support and the fee provided for in this Section shall not be in excess of the amounts permitted under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act.

In a case receiving child support enforcement services, the Illinois Department may request and obtain information from a particular employer under this Section no more than once in any 12-month period, unless the information is necessary to conduct a review of a court or administrative order for support at the request of the person receiving child support enforcement services.

The Illinois Department shall establish and maintain an administrative unit to receive and transmit to the Child and Spouse Support Unit information supplied by persons applying for or receiving child support enforcement services under Section 10-1. In addition, the Illinois Department shall address and respond to any alleged deficiencies that persons receiving or applying for services from the Child and Spouse Support Unit may identify concerning the Child and Spouse Support Unit's provision of child support enforcement services. Within 60 days after an action or failure to act by the Child and Spouse Support Unit that affects his or her case, a recipient of or applicant for child support enforcement services under Article X of this Code may request an explanation of the Unit's handling of the case. At the requestor's option, the explanation may be provided either orally in an interview, in writing, or both. If the Illinois Department fails to respond to the request for an explanation or fails to respond in a manner satisfactory to the applicant or recipient within 30 days from the date of the request for an explanation, the applicant or recipient may request a conference for further review of the matter by the Office of the Administrator of the Child and Spouse Support Unit. A request for a conference may be submitted at any time within 60 days after the explanation has been provided by the Child and Spouse Support Unit or within 60 days after the time for providing the explanation has expired.

The applicant or recipient may request a conference concerning any decision denying or terminating child support enforcement services under Article X of this Code, and the applicant or recipient may also request a conference concerning the Unit's failure to provide services or the provision of services in an amount or manner that is considered inadequate. For purposes of this Section, the Child and Spouse Support Unit includes all local governmental units or individuals with whom the Illinois Department has contracted under Section 10-3.1.

Upon receipt of a timely request for a conference, the Office of the Administrator shall review the case. The applicant or recipient requesting the conference shall be entitled, at his or her option, to appear in person or to participate in the conference by telephone. The applicant or recipient requesting the conference shall be entitled to be represented and to be afforded a reasonable opportunity to review the Illinois Department's file before or at the conference. At the conference, the applicant or recipient requesting the conference shall be afforded an opportunity to present all relevant matters in support of his or her claim. Conferences shall be without cost to the applicant or recipient requesting the conference and shall be conducted by a representative of the Child or Spouse Support Unit who did not participate in the action or inaction being reviewed.

The Office of the Administrator shall conduct a conference and inform all interested parties, in writing, of the results of the conference within 60 days from the date of filing of the request for a conference.

In addition to its other powers and responsibilities established by this Article, the Child and Spouse Support Unit shall conduct an annual assessment of each institution's program for institution based paternity establishment under Section 12 of the Vital Records Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-24, eff. 7-1-99; 91-613, eff. 10-1-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 92-590, eff. 7-1-02.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-16.7)

Sec. 10-16.7. Child support enforcement debit authorization.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

"Financial institution" and "account" are defined as set forth in Section 10-24.

"Payor" is defined as set forth in Section 15 of the Income Withholding for Support Act.

"Order for support" means any order for periodic payment of funds to the State Disbursement Unit for the support of a child or, where applicable, for support of a child and a parent with whom the child resides, that is entered or modified under this Code or under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or that is entered or registered for modification or enforcement under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.

"Obligor" means an individual who owes a duty to make payments under an order for support in a case in which child support enforcement services are being provided under this Article X.

(b) The Department of Public Aid (now Healthcare and Family Services) shall adopt a child support enforcement debit authorization form that, upon being signed by an obligor, authorizes a financial institution holding an account on the obligor's behalf to debit the obligor's account periodically in an amount equal to the amount of child support that the obligor is required to pay periodically and transfer that amount to the State Disbursement Unit. The form shall include instructions to the financial institution concerning the debiting of accounts held on behalf of obligors and the transfer of the debited amounts to the State Disbursement Unit. In adopting the form, the Department may consult with the Office of Banks and Real Estate and the Department of Financial Institutions. The Department must adopt the form within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. Promptly after adopting the form, the Department must notify each financial institution conducting business in this State that the form has been adopted and is ready for use.

(c) An obligor who does not have a payor may sign a child support debit authorization form adopted by the Department under this Section. The obligor may sign a form in relation to any or all of the financial institutions holding an account on the obligor's behalf. Promptly after an obligor signs a child support debit authorization form, the Department shall send the original signed form to the appropriate financial institution. Subject to subsection (e), upon receiving the form, the financial institution shall debit the account and transfer the debited amounts to the State Disbursement Unit according to the instructions in the form. A financial institution that complies with a child support debit authorization form signed by an obligor and issued under this Section shall not be subject to civil liability with respect to any individual or any agency.

(d) The signing and issuance of a child support debit authorization form under this Section does not relieve the obligor from responsibility for compliance with any requirement under the order for support.

(e) A financial institution is obligated to debit the account of an obligor pursuant to this Section only if or to the extent:

(1) the financial institution reasonably believes the debit authorization form is a true and authentic original document;

(2) there are finally collected funds in the account; and

(3) the account is not subject to offsetting claims of the financial institution, whether due at the time of receipt of the debit authorization form or thereafter to become due and whether liquidated or unliquidated.

To the extent the account of the obligor is pledged or held by the financial institution as security for a loan or other obligation, or that the financial institution has any other claim or lien against the account, the financial institution is entitled to retain the account.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-17) (from Ch. 23, par. 10-17)

Sec. 10-17. Other Actions and Remedies for Support. The procedures, actions and remedies provided in this Article shall in no way be exclusive, but shall be available in addition to other actions and remedies of support, including, but not by way of limitation, the remedies provided in (a) the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 "Paternity Act", approved July 5, 1957, as amended; (b) the "Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act", approved June 24, 1915, as amended; (b-5) the Non-Support Punishment Act; and (c) the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act", approved August 28, 1969, as amended.

(Source: P.A. 91-613, eff. 10-1-99.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-17.7)

Sec. 10-17.7. Administrative determination of paternity. The Illinois Department may provide by rule for the administrative determination of paternity by the Child and Spouse Support Unit in cases involving applicants for or recipients of financial aid under Article IV of this Act and other persons who are given access to the child support enforcement services of this Article as provided in Section 10-1, including persons similarly situated and receiving similar services in other states. The rules shall extend to cases in which the mother and alleged father voluntarily acknowledge paternity in the form required by the Illinois Department or agree to be bound by the results of genetic testing or in which the alleged father has failed to respond to a notification of support obligation issued under Section 10-4 and to cases of contested paternity. The Illinois Department's form for voluntary acknowledgement of paternity shall be the same form prepared by the Illinois Department for use under the requirements of Section 12 of the Vital Records Act. Any presumption provided for under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act shall apply to cases in which paternity is determined under the rules of the Illinois Department. The rules shall provide for notice and an opportunity to be heard by the responsible relative and the person receiving child support enforcement services under this Article if paternity is not voluntarily acknowledged, and any final administrative decision rendered by the Illinois Department shall be reviewed only under and in accordance with the Administrative Review Law. Determinations of paternity made by the Illinois Department under the rules authorized by this Section shall have the full force and effect of a court judgment of paternity entered under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

In determining paternity in contested cases, the Illinois Department shall conduct the evidentiary hearing in accordance with Article 4 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 Section 11 of the Parentage Act of 1984, except that references in that Article Section to "the court" shall be deemed to mean the Illinois Department's hearing officer in cases in which paternity is determined administratively by the Illinois Department.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a default determination of paternity may be made if service of the notice under Section 10-4 was made by publication under the rules for administrative paternity determination authorized by this Section. The rules as they pertain to service by publication shall (i) be based on the provisions of Section 2-206 and 2-207 of the Code of Civil Procedure, (ii) provide for service by publication in cases in which the whereabouts of the alleged father are unknown after diligent location efforts by the Child and Spouse Support Unit, and (iii) provide for publication of a notice of default paternity determination in the same manner that the notice under Section 10-4 was published.

The Illinois Department may implement this Section through the use of emergency rules in accordance with Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. For purposes of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of rules to implement this Section shall be considered an emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

(Source: P.A. 96-333, eff. 8-11-09; 96-474, eff. 8-14-09.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-19) (from Ch. 23, par. 10-19)

Sec. 10-19. Support Payments Ordered Under Other Laws; where deposited. The Illinois Department and local governmental units are authorized to receive payments directed by court order for the support of recipients, as provided in the following Acts:

1. "Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act", approved June 24, 1915, as amended,

1.5. The Non-Support Punishment Act,

2. "Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act", as now or hereafter amended,

3. The Illinois Parentage Act, as amended,

3.5. The Illinois Parentage Act of 2015,

4. "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act", approved August 28, 1969, as amended,

5. The Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, as amended,

6. The "Unified Code of Corrections", approved July 26, 1972, as amended,

7. Part 7 of Article XII of the Code of Civil Procedure, as amended,

8. Part 8 of Article XII of the Code of Civil Procedure, as amended, and

9. Other laws which may provide by judicial order for direct payment of support moneys.

Payments under this Section to the Illinois Department 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. Disbursements from these funds shall be as provided in Sections 12-9.1 and 12-10.2 of this Code. Payments received by a local governmental unit shall be deposited in that unit's General Assistance Fund.

To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Sections 10-10.4 and 10-26 of this Code, the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit shall apply.

(Source: P.A. 91-24, eff. 7-1-99; 91-212, eff. 7-20-99; 91-613, eff. 10-1-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-25)

Sec. 10-25. Administrative liens and levies on real property for past-due child support.

(a) Notwithstanding any other State or local law to the contrary, the State shall have a lien on all legal and equitable interests of responsible relatives in their real property in the amount of past-due child support owing pursuant to an order for child support entered under Sections 10-10 and 10-11 of this Code, or under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) The Illinois Department shall provide by rule for notice to and an opportunity to be heard by each responsible relative affected, and any final administrative decision rendered by the Illinois Department shall be reviewed only under and in accordance with the Administrative Review Law.

(c) When enforcing a lien under subsection (a) of this Section, the Illinois Department shall have the authority to execute notices of administrative liens and levies, which shall contain the name and address of the responsible relative, a legal description of the real property to be levied, the fact that a lien is being claimed for past-due child support, and such other information as the Illinois Department may by rule prescribe. The Illinois Department shall record the notice of lien with the recorder or registrar of titles of the county or counties in which the real estate is located.

(d) The State's lien under subsection (a) shall be enforceable upon the recording or filing of a notice of lien with the recorder or registrar of titles of the county or counties in which the real estate is located. The lien shall be prior to any lien thereafter recorded or filed and shall be notice to a subsequent purchaser, assignor, or encumbrancer of the existence and nature of the lien. The lien shall be inferior to the lien of general taxes, special assessment, and special taxes heretofore or hereafter levied by any political subdivision or municipal corporation of the State.

In the event that title to the land to be affected by the notice of lien is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act, the notice shall be filed in the office of the registrar of titles as a memorial or charge upon each folium of the register of titles affected by the notice; but the State shall not have a preference over the rights of any bona fide purchaser, mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lien holders registered prior to the registration of the notice.

(e) The recorder or registrar of titles of each county shall procure a file labeled "Child Support Lien Notices" and an index book labeled "Child Support Lien Notices". When notice of any lien is presented to the recorder or registrar of titles for filing, the recorder or registrar of titles shall file it in numerical order in the file and shall enter it alphabetically in the index. The entry shall show the name and last known address of the person named in the notice, the serial number of the notice, the date and hour of filing, and the amount of child support due at the time when the lien is filed.

(f) The Illinois Department shall not be required to furnish bond or make a deposit for or pay any costs or fees of any court or officer thereof in any legal proceeding involving the lien.

(g) To protect the lien of the State for past-due child support, the Illinois Department may, from funds that are available for that purpose, pay or provide for the payment of necessary or essential repairs, purchase tax certificates, pay balances due on land contracts, or pay or cause to be satisfied any prior liens on the property to which the lien hereunder applies.

(h) A lien on real property under this Section shall be released pursuant to Section 12-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(i) The Illinois Department, acting in behalf of the State, may foreclose the lien in a judicial proceeding to the same extent and in the same manner as in the enforcement of other liens. The process, practice, and procedure for the foreclosure shall be the same as provided in the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 97-186, eff. 7-22-11.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-25.5)

Sec. 10-25.5. Administrative liens and levies on personal property for past-due child support.

(a) Notwithstanding any other State or local law to the contrary, the State shall have a lien on all legal and equitable interests of responsible relatives in their personal property, including any account in a financial institution as defined in Section 10-24, or in the case of an insurance company or benefit association only in accounts as defined in Section 10-24, in the amount of past-due child support owing pursuant to an order for child support entered under Sections 10-10 and 10-11 of this Code, or under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) The Illinois Department shall provide by rule for notice to and an opportunity to be heard by each responsible relative affected, and any final administrative decision rendered by the Illinois Department shall be reviewed only under and in accordance with the Administrative Review Law.

(c) When enforcing a lien under subsection (a) of this Section, the Illinois Department shall have the authority to execute notices of administrative liens and levies, which shall contain the name and address of the responsible relative, a description of the property to be levied, the fact that a lien is being claimed for past-due child support, and such other information as the Illinois Department may by rule prescribe. The Illinois Department may serve the notice of lien or levy upon any financial institution where the accounts as defined in Section 10-24 of the responsible relative may be held, for encumbrance or surrender of the accounts as defined in Section 10-24 by the financial institution.

(d) The Illinois Department shall enforce its lien against the responsible relative's personal property, other than accounts as defined in Section 10-24 in financial institutions, and levy upon such personal property in the manner provided for enforcement of judgments contained in Article XII of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(e) The Illinois Department shall not be required to furnish bond or make a deposit for or pay any costs or fees of any court or officer thereof in any legal proceeding involving the lien.

(f) To protect the lien of the State for past-due child support, the Illinois Department may, from funds that are available for that purpose, pay or provide for the payment of necessary or essential repairs, purchase tax certificates, or pay or cause to be satisfied any prior liens on the property to which the lien hereunder applies.

(g) A lien on personal property under this Section shall be released in the manner provided under Article XII of the Code of Civil Procedure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a lien under this Section on accounts as defined in Section 10-24 shall expire upon the passage of 120 days from the date of issuance of the Notice of Lien or Levy by the Illinois Department. However, the lien shall remain in effect during the pendency of any appeal or protest.

(h) A lien created under this Section is subordinate to any prior lien of the financial institution or any prior lien holder or any prior right of set-off that the financial institution may have against the assets, or in the case of an insurance company or benefit association only in the accounts as defined in Section 10-24.

(i) A financial institution has no obligation under this Section to hold, encumber, or surrender the assets, or in the case of an insurance company or benefit association only the accounts as defined in Section 10-24, until the financial institution has been properly served with a subpoena, summons, warrant, court or administrative order, or administrative lien and levy requiring that action.

(Source: P.A. 97-186, eff. 7-22-11.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-27)

Sec. 10-27. State Case Registry.

(a) The Illinois Department shall establish an automated State Case Registry to contain records concerning child support orders for parties receiving child support enforcement services under this Article X, and for all child support orders entered or modified on or after October 1, 1998. The State Case Registry shall include (i) the information filed with the Illinois Department, or filed with the clerk of the circuit court and provided to the Illinois Department, under the provisions of Sections 10-10.5 and 10-11.2 of this Code, Section 505.3 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Section 30 of the Non-Support Punishment Act, and Section 803 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, and Section 14.1 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, and (ii) any other information required under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act or by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

(b) (Blank).

(c) The Illinois Department shall maintain the following payment information on child support orders for parties receiving child support enforcement services under this Article X:

(1) the amount of monthly or other periodic support owed under the order and other amounts, including arrearages, interest or late payment penalties, and fees, due or overdue under the order;

(2) any amounts described in subdivision (1) of subsection (d) that have been collected;

(3) the distribution of the collected amounts; and

(4) the amount of any lien imposed with respect to the order pursuant to Section 10-25 or Section 10-25.5 of this Code.

(d) The Illinois Department shall establish, update, maintain, and monitor case records in the Registry of parties receiving child support enforcement services under this Article X, on the bases of:

(1) information on administrative actions and administrative and judicial proceedings and orders relating to paternity and support;

(2) information obtained from comparison with federal, State, and local sources of information;

(3) information on support collections and distribution; and

(4) any other relevant information.

(e) The Illinois Department shall use the automated State Case Registry to share and compare information with, and receive information from, other data bases and information comparison services in order to obtain (or provide) information necessary to enable the Illinois Department (or the federal Department of Health and Human Services or other State or federal agencies) to carry out the requirements of the child support enforcement program established under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act. Such information comparison activities shall include the following:

(1) Furnishing to the Federal Case Registry of Child Support Orders (and updating as necessary, with information including notice of expiration of orders) the information specified by the federal Department of Health and Human Services in regulations.

(2) Exchanging information with the Federal Parent Locator Service for the purposes specified in Section 453 of the Social Security Act.

(3) Exchanging information with State agencies (of this State and of other states) administering programs funded under Title IV, Part A and Title XIX of the Social Security Act and other programs designated by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, as necessary to perform responsibilities under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act and under such other programs.

(4) Exchanging information with other agencies of this State, agencies of other states, and interstate information networks, as necessary and appropriate to carry out (or assist other states to carry out) the purposes of Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act.

(5) Disclosing information to any other entities as required under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act.

(f) The Illinois Department shall adopt rules establishing safeguards, applicable to all confidential information included in the State Case Registry, that are designed to protect the privacy rights of persons concerning whom information is on record in the State Case Registry. Such safeguards shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1) Prohibitions against the release of information on the whereabouts of one party or the child to another party against whom a protective order with respect to the former party or the child has been entered.

(2) Prohibitions against the release of information on the whereabouts of one party or the child to another party if the Illinois Department has reasonable evidence of domestic violence or child abuse (that is, allegations of domestic violence or child abuse, unless the Illinois Department has an independent, reasonable basis to find the person making the allegation not credible) to the former party or child by the party requesting information.

(3) Prohibitions against the release of information on the whereabouts of one party or the child to another person if the Illinois Department has reason to believe the release of information to that person may result in physical or emotional harm to the party or child.

(Source: P.A. 92-463, eff. 8-22-01.)

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.7c)

Sec. 12-4.7c. Exchange of information after July 1, 1997.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to Sections 10-10 and 10-11 of this Code or pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Department of Human Services shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 957. The Genetic Information Privacy Act is amended by changing Sections 22 and 30 as follows:

(410 ILCS 513/22)

Sec. 22. Tests to determine inherited characteristics in paternity proceedings. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or restrict in any way the ordering of or use of results from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing or other tests to determine inherited characteristics by the court in a judicial proceeding under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act or by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in an administrative paternity proceeding under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code and rules promulgated under that Article.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(410 ILCS 513/30)

Sec. 30. Disclosure of person tested and test results.

(a) No person may disclose or be compelled to disclose the identity of any person upon whom a genetic test is performed or the results of a genetic test in a manner that permits identification of the subject of the test, except to the following persons:

(1) The subject of the test or the subject's legally authorized representative. This paragraph does not create a duty or obligation under which a health care provider must notify the subject's spouse or legal guardian of the test results, and no such duty or obligation shall be implied. No civil liability or criminal sanction under this Act shall be imposed for any disclosure or nondisclosure of a test result to a spouse by a physician acting in good faith under this paragraph. For the purpose of any proceedings, civil or criminal, the good faith of any physician acting under this paragraph shall be presumed.

(2) Any person designated in a specific written legally effective authorization for release of the test results executed by the subject of the test or the subject's legally authorized representative.

(3) An authorized agent or employee of a health facility or health care provider if the health facility or health care provider itself is authorized to obtain the test results, the agent or employee provides patient care, and the agent or employee has a need to know the information in order to conduct the tests or provide care or treatment.

(4) A health facility, health care provider, or health care professional that procures, processes, distributes, or uses:

(A) a human body part from a deceased person with respect to medical information regarding that person; or

(B) semen provided prior to the effective date of this Act for the purpose of artificial insemination.

(5) Health facility staff committees for the purposes of conducting program monitoring, program evaluation, or service reviews.

(6) In the case of a minor under 18 years of age, the health care provider, health care professional, or health facility who ordered the test shall make a reasonable effort to notify the minor's parent or legal guardian if, in the professional judgment of the health care provider, health care professional, or health facility, notification would be in the best interest of the minor and the health care provider, health care professional, or health facility has first sought unsuccessfully to persuade the minor to notify the parent or legal guardian or after a reasonable time after the minor has agreed to notify the parent or legal guardian, the health care provider, health care professional, or health facility has reason to believe that the minor has not made the notification. This paragraph shall not create a duty or obligation under which a health care provider, health care professional, or health facility must notify the minor's parent or legal guardian of the test results, nor shall a duty or obligation be implied. No civil liability or criminal sanction under this Act shall be imposed for any notification or non-notification of a minor's test result by a health care provider, health care professional, or health facility acting in good faith under this paragraph. For the purpose of any proceeding, civil or criminal, the good faith of any health care provider, health care professional, or health facility acting under this paragraph shall be presumed.

(b) All information and records held by a State agency, local health authority, or health oversight agency pertaining to genetic information shall be strictly confidential and exempt from copying and inspection under the Freedom of Information Act. The information and records shall not be released or made public by the State agency, local health authority, or health oversight agency and shall not be admissible as evidence nor discoverable in any action of any kind in any court or before any tribunal, board, agency, or person and shall be treated in the same manner as the information and those records subject to the provisions of Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure except under the following circumstances:

(A) when made with the written consent of all persons to whom the information pertains;

(B) when authorized by Section 5-4-3 of the Unified Code of Corrections;

(C) when made for the sole purpose of implementing the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act and rules; or

(D) when made under the authorization of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984.

Disclosure shall be limited to those who have a need to know the information, and no additional disclosures may be made.

(c) Disclosure by an insurer in accordance with the requirements of the Article XL of the Illinois Insurance Code shall be deemed compliance with this Section.

(Source: P.A. 98-1046, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 958. The Vital Records Act is amended by changing Sections 12 and 24 as follows:

(410 ILCS 535/12)

Sec. 12. Live births; place of registration.

(1) Each live birth which occurs in this State shall be registered with the local or subregistrar of the district in which the birth occurred as provided in this Section, within 7 days after the birth. When a birth occurs on a moving conveyance, the city, village, township, or road district in which the child is first removed from the conveyance shall be considered the place of birth and a birth certificate shall be filed in the registration district in which the place is located.

(2) When a birth occurs in an institution, the person in charge of the institution or his designated representative shall obtain and record all the personal and statistical particulars relative to the parents of the child that are required to properly complete the live birth certificate; shall secure the required personal signatures on the hospital worksheet; shall prepare the certificate from this worksheet; and shall file the certificate with the local registrar. The institution shall retain the hospital worksheet permanently or as otherwise specified by rule. The physician in attendance shall verify or provide the date of birth and medical information required by the certificate, within 24 hours after the birth occurs.

(3) When a birth occurs outside an institution, the certificate shall be prepared and filed by one of the following in the indicated order of priority:

(a) The physician in attendance at or immediately after the birth, or in the absence of such a person,

(b) Any other person in attendance at or immediately after the birth, or in the absence of such a person,

(c) The father, the mother, or in the absence of the father and the inability of the mother, the person in charge of the premises where the birth occurred.

(4) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, if the mother was not married to the father of the child at either the time of conception or the time of birth, the name of the father shall be entered on the child's birth certificate only if the mother and the person to be named as the father have signed an acknowledgment of parentage in accordance with subsection (5).

Unless otherwise provided in this Act, if the mother was married at the time of conception or birth and the presumed father (that is, the mother's husband) is not the biological father of the child, the name of the biological father shall be entered on the child's birth certificate only if, in accordance with subsection (5), (i) the mother and the person to be named as the father have signed an acknowledgment of parentage and (ii) the mother and presumed father have signed a denial of paternity.

(5) Upon the birth of a child to an unmarried woman, or upon the birth of a child to a woman who was married at the time of conception or birth and whose husband is not the biological father of the child, the institution at the time of birth and the local registrar or county clerk after the birth shall do the following:

(a) Provide (i) an opportunity for the child's mother and father to sign an acknowledgment of parentage and (ii) if the presumed father is not the biological father, an opportunity for the mother and presumed father to sign a denial of paternity. The signing and witnessing of the acknowledgment of parentage or, if the presumed father of the child is not the biological father, the acknowledgment of parentage and denial of paternity conclusively establishes a parent and child relationship in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 and with the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall furnish the acknowledgment of parentage and denial of paternity form to institutions, county clerks, and State and local registrars' offices. The form shall include instructions to send the original signed and witnessed acknowledgment of parentage and denial of paternity to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The acknowledgement of paternity and denial of paternity form shall also include a statement informing the mother, the alleged father, and the presumed father, if any, that they have the right to request deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests regarding the issue of the child's paternity and that by signing the form, they expressly waive such tests. The statement shall be set forth in bold-face capital letters not less than 0.25 inches in height.

(b) Provide the following documents, furnished by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to the child's mother, biological father, and (if the person presumed to be the child's father is not the biological father) presumed father for their review at the time the opportunity is provided to establish a parent and child relationship:

(i) An explanation of the implications of, alternatives to, legal consequences of, and the rights and responsibilities that arise from signing an acknowledgment of parentage and, if necessary, a denial of paternity, including an explanation of the parental rights and responsibilities of child support, visitation, custody, retroactive support, health insurance coverage, and payment of birth expenses.

(ii) An explanation of the benefits of having a child's parentage established and the availability of parentage establishment and child support enforcement services.

(iii) A request for an application for child support enforcement services from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(iv) Instructions concerning the opportunity to speak, either by telephone or in person, with staff of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services who are trained to clarify information and answer questions about paternity establishment.

(v) Instructions for completing and signing the acknowledgment of parentage and denial of paternity.

(c) Provide an oral explanation of the documents and instructions set forth in subdivision (5)(b), including an explanation of the implications of, alternatives to, legal consequences of, and the rights and responsibilities that arise from signing an acknowledgment of parentage and, if necessary, a denial of paternity. The oral explanation may be given in person or through the use of video or audio equipment.

(6) The institution, State or local registrar, or county clerk shall provide an opportunity for the child's father or mother to sign a rescission of parentage. The signing and witnessing of the rescission of parentage voids the acknowledgment of parentage and nullifies the presumption of paternity if executed and filed with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) within the time frame contained in Section 5 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or Section 307 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall furnish the rescission of parentage form to institutions, county clerks, and State and local registrars' offices. The form shall include instructions to send the original signed and witnessed rescission of parentage to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(7) An acknowledgment of paternity signed pursuant to Section 6 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or Section 302 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act may be challenged in court only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact, with the burden of proof upon the challenging party. Pending outcome of a challenge to the acknowledgment of paternity, the legal responsibilities of the signatories shall remain in full force and effect, except upon order of the court upon a showing of good cause.

(8) When the process for acknowledgment of parentage as provided for under subsection (5) establishes the paternity of a child whose certificate of birth is on file in another state, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall forward a copy of the acknowledgment of parentage, the denial of paternity, if applicable, and the rescission of parentage, if applicable, to the birth record agency of the state where the child's certificate of birth is on file.

(9) In the event the parent-child relationship has been established in accordance with subdivision (a)(1) of Section 6 of the Parentage Act of 1984, the names of the biological mother and biological father so established shall be entered on the child's birth certificate, and the names of the surrogate mother and surrogate mother's husband, if any, shall not be on the birth certificate.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-333, eff. 8-11-09; 96-474, eff. 8-14-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(410 ILCS 535/24) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 73-24)

Sec. 24. (1) To protect the integrity of vital records, to insure their proper use, and to insure the efficient and proper administration of the vital records system, access to vital records, and indexes thereof, including vital records in the custody of local registrars and county clerks originating prior to January 1, 1916, is limited to the custodian and his employees, and then only for administrative purposes, except that the indexes of those records in the custody of local registrars and county clerks, originating prior to January 1, 1916, shall be made available to persons for the purpose of genealogical research. Original, photographic or microphotographic reproductions of original records of births 100 years old and older and deaths 50 years old and older, and marriage records 75 years old and older on file in the State Office of Vital Records and in the custody of the county clerks may be made available for inspection in the Illinois State Archives reference area, Illinois Regional Archives Depositories, and other libraries approved by the Illinois State Registrar and the Director of the Illinois State Archives, provided that the photographic or microphotographic copies are made at no cost to the county or to the State of Illinois. It is unlawful for any custodian to permit inspection of, or to disclose information contained in, vital records, or to copy or permit to be copied, all or part of any such record except as authorized by this Act or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(2) The State Registrar of Vital Records, or his agent, and any municipal, county, multi-county, public health district, or regional health officer recognized by the Department may examine vital records for the purpose only of carrying out the public health programs and responsibilities under his jurisdiction.

(3) The State Registrar of Vital Records, may disclose, or authorize the disclosure of, data contained in the vital records when deemed essential for bona fide research purposes which are not for private gain.

This amendatory Act of 1973 does not apply to any home rule unit.

(4) The State Registrar shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the establishment of paternity and the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Act to the contrary, the State Registrar shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this subsection or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 959. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 2-109.1 and 7-703 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/2-109.1)

Sec. 2-109.1. Exchange of information.

(a) The Secretary of State shall exchange information with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services which may be necessary for the establishment of paternity and the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Secretary of State shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(625 ILCS 5/7-703)

Sec. 7-703. Courts to report non-payment of court ordered support or orders concerning driving privileges.

(a) The clerk of the circuit court, as provided in subsection (b) of Section 505 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or as provided in Section 15 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, shall forward to the Secretary of State, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, an authenticated document certifying the court's order suspending the driving privileges of the obligor. For any such certification, the clerk of the court shall charge the obligor a fee of $5 as provided in the Clerks of Courts Act.

(b) If an obligor has been adjudicated in arrears in court ordered child support payments in an amount equal to 90 days obligation or more but has not been held in contempt of court, the circuit court may order that the obligor's driving privileges be suspended. If the circuit court orders that the obligor's driving privileges be suspended, it shall forward to the Secretary of State, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, an authenticated document certifying the court's order suspending the driving privileges of the obligor. The authenticated document shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State by the court no later than 45 days after entry of the order suspending the obligor's driving privileges.

(c) The clerk of the circuit court, as provided in subsection (c-1) of Section 607.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, shall forward to the Secretary of State, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, an authenticated document certifying the court's order suspending the driving privileges of the party. For any such certification, the clerk of the court shall charge the party a fee of $5 as provided in the Clerks of Courts Act.

(d) If a party has been adjudicated to have engaged in visitation abuse, the circuit court may order that the party's driving privileges be suspended. If the circuit court orders that the party's driving privileges be suspended, it shall forward to the Secretary of State, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, an authenticated document certifying the court's order suspending the driving privileges of the party. The authenticated document shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State by the court no later than 45 days after entry of the order suspending the party's driving privileges.

(Source: P.A. 97-1047, eff. 8-21-12.)

Section 960. The Clerks of Courts Act is amended by changing Section 27.1a as follows:

(705 ILCS 105/27.1a) (from Ch. 25, par. 27.1a)

Sec. 27.1a. The fees of the clerks of the circuit court in all counties having a population of not more than 500,000 inhabitants in the instances described in this Section shall be as provided in this Section. In those instances where a minimum and maximum fee is stated, the clerk of the circuit court must charge the minimum fee listed and may charge up to the maximum fee if the county board has by resolution increased the fee. The fees shall be paid in advance and shall be as follows:

(a) Civil Cases.

The fee for filing a complaint, petition, or other pleading initiating a civil action, with the following exceptions, shall be a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $160.

(A) When the amount of money or damages or the value of personal property claimed does not exceed $250, $10.

(B) When that amount exceeds $250 but does not exceed $500, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $20.

(C) When that amount exceeds $500 but does not exceed $2500, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.

(D) When that amount exceeds $2500 but does not exceed $15,000, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $75.

(E) For the exercise of eminent domain, a minimum of $45 and a maximum of $150. For each additional lot or tract of land or right or interest therein subject to be condemned, the damages in respect to which shall require separate assessment by a jury, a minimum of $45 and a maximum of $150.

(a-1) Family.

For filing a petition under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, $25.

For filing a petition for a marriage license, $10.

For performing a marriage in court, $10.

For filing a petition under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, $40.

(b) Forcible Entry and Detainer.

In each forcible entry and detainer case when the plaintiff seeks possession only or unites with his or her claim for possession of the property a claim for rent or damages or both in the amount of $15,000 or less, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50. When the plaintiff unites his or her claim for possession with a claim for rent or damages or both exceeding $15,000, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $160.

(c) Counterclaim or Joining Third Party Defendant.

When any defendant files a counterclaim as part of his or her answer or otherwise or joins another party as a third party defendant, or both, the defendant shall pay a fee for each counterclaim or third party action in an amount equal to the fee he or she would have had to pay had he or she brought a separate action for the relief sought in the counterclaim or against the third party defendant, less the amount of the appearance fee, if that has been paid.

(d) Confession of Judgment.

In a confession of judgment when the amount does not exceed $1500, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $50. When the amount exceeds $1500, but does not exceed $15,000, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $115. When the amount exceeds $15,000, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $200.

(e) Appearance.

The fee for filing an appearance in each civil case shall be a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60, except as follows:

(A) When the plaintiff in a forcible entry and detainer case seeks possession only, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50.

(B) When the amount in the case does not exceed $1500, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $30.

(C) When that amount exceeds $1500 but does not exceed $15,000, a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60.

(f) Garnishment, Wage Deduction, and Citation.

In garnishment affidavit, wage deduction affidavit, and citation petition when the amount does not exceed $1,000, a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15; when the amount exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000, a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $30; and when the amount exceeds $5,000, a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $50.

(g) Petition to Vacate or Modify.

(1) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or order of court, except in forcible entry and detainer cases and small claims cases or a petition to reopen an estate, to modify, terminate, or enforce a judgment or order for child or spousal support, or to modify, suspend, or terminate an order for withholding, if filed before 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $50.

(2) Petition to vacate or modify any final judgment or order of court, except a petition to modify, terminate, or enforce a judgment or order for child or spousal support or to modify, suspend, or terminate an order for withholding, if filed later than 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $75.

(3) Petition to vacate order of bond forfeiture, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40.

(h) Mailing.

When the clerk is required to mail, the fee will be a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $10, plus the cost of postage.

(i) Certified Copies.

Each certified copy of a judgment after the first, except in small claims and forcible entry and detainer cases, a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $10.

(j) Habeas Corpus.

For filing a petition for relief by habeas corpus, a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $100.

(k) Certification, Authentication, and Reproduction.

(1) Each certification or authentication for taking the acknowledgment of a deed or other instrument in writing with the seal of office, a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $6.

(2) Court appeals when original documents are forwarded, under 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $60.

(3) Court appeals when original documents are forwarded, over 100 pages, plus delivery and costs, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $150.

(4) Court appeals when original documents are forwarded, over 200 pages, an additional fee of a minimum of 20 cents and a maximum of 25 cents per page.

(5) For reproduction of any document contained in the clerk's files:

(A) First page, a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $2.

(B) Next 19 pages, 50 cents per page.

(C) All remaining pages, 25 cents per page.

(l) Remands.

In any cases remanded to the Circuit Court from the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court for a new trial, the clerk shall file the remanding order and reinstate the case with either its original number or a new number. The Clerk shall not charge any new or additional fee for the reinstatement. Upon reinstatement the Clerk shall advise the parties of the reinstatement. A party shall have the same right to a jury trial on remand and reinstatement as he or she had before the appeal, and no additional or new fee or charge shall be made for a jury trial after remand.

(m) Record Search.

For each record search, within a division or municipal district, the clerk shall be entitled to a search fee of a minimum of $4 and a maximum of $6 for each year searched.

(n) Hard Copy.

For each page of hard copy print output, when case records are maintained on an automated medium, the clerk shall be entitled to a fee of a minimum of $4 and a maximum of $6.

(o) Index Inquiry and Other Records.

No fee shall be charged for a single plaintiff/defendant index inquiry or single case record inquiry when this request is made in person and the records are maintained in a current automated medium, and when no hard copy print output is requested. The fees to be charged for management records, multiple case records, and multiple journal records may be specified by the Chief Judge pursuant to the guidelines for access and dissemination of information approved by the Supreme Court.

(p) (Blank).

(q) Alias Summons.

For each alias summons or citation issued by the clerk, a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $5.

(r) Other Fees.

Any fees not covered in this Section shall be set by rule or administrative order of the Circuit Court with the approval of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

The clerk of the circuit court may provide additional services for which there is no fee specified by statute in connection with the operation of the clerk's office as may be requested by the public and agreed to by the clerk and approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Any charges for additional services shall be as agreed to between the clerk and the party making the request and approved by the chief judge of the circuit court. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any clerk to provide any service not otherwise required by law.

(s) Jury Services.

The clerk shall be entitled to receive, in addition to other fees allowed by law, the sum of a minimum of $62.50 and a maximum of $212.50, as a fee for the services of a jury in every civil action not quasi-criminal in its nature and not a proceeding for the exercise of the right of eminent domain and in every other action wherein the right of trial by jury is or may be given by law. The jury fee shall be paid by the party demanding a jury at the time of filing the jury demand. If the fee is not paid by either party, no jury shall be called in the action or proceeding, and the same shall be tried by the court without a jury.

(t) Voluntary Assignment.

For filing each deed of voluntary assignment, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $20; for recording the same, a minimum of 25 cents and a maximum of 50 cents for each 100 words. Exceptions filed to claims presented to an assignee of a debtor who has made a voluntary assignment for the benefit of creditors shall be considered and treated, for the purpose of taxing costs therein, as actions in which the party or parties filing the exceptions shall be considered as party or parties plaintiff, and the claimant or claimants as party or parties defendant, and those parties respectively shall pay to the clerk the same fees as provided by this Section to be paid in other actions.

(u) Expungement Petition.

The clerk shall be entitled to receive a fee of a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $60 for each expungement petition filed and an additional fee of a minimum of $2 and a maximum of $4 for each certified copy of an order to expunge arrest records.

(v) Probate.

The clerk is entitled to receive the fees specified in this subsection (v), which shall be paid in advance, except that, for good cause shown, the court may suspend, reduce, or release the costs payable under this subsection:

(1) For administration of the estate of a decedent (whether testate or intestate) or of a missing person, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $150, plus the fees specified in subsection (v)(3), except:

(A) When the value of the real and personal property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.

(B) When (i) proof of heirship alone is made, (ii) a domestic or foreign will is admitted to probate without administration (including proof of heirship), or (iii) letters of office are issued for a particular purpose without administration of the estate, the fee shall be a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40.

(C) For filing a petition to sell Real Estate, $50.

(2) For administration of the estate of a ward, a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $75, plus the fees specified in subsection (v)(3), except:

(A) When the value of the real and personal property does not exceed $15,000, the fee shall be a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $40.

(B) When (i) letters of office are issued to a guardian of the person or persons, but not of the estate or (ii) letters of office are issued in the estate of a ward without administration of the estate, including filing or joining in the filing of a tax return or releasing a mortgage or consenting to the marriage of the ward, the fee shall be a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $20.

(C) For filing a Petition to sell Real Estate, $50.

(3) In addition to the fees payable under subsection (v)(1) or (v)(2) of this Section, the following fees are payable:

(A) For each account (other than one final account) filed in the estate of a decedent, or ward, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $25.

(B) For filing a claim in an estate when the amount claimed is $150 or more but less than $500, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $25; when the amount claimed is $500 or more but less than $10,000, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40; when the amount claimed is $10,000 or more, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $60; provided that the court in allowing a claim may add to the amount allowed the filing fee paid by the claimant.

(C) For filing in an estate a claim, petition, or supplemental proceeding based upon an action seeking equitable relief including the construction or contest of a will, enforcement of a contract to make a will, and proceedings involving testamentary trusts or the appointment of testamentary trustees, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $60.

(D) For filing in an estate (i) the appearance of any person for the purpose of consent or (ii) the appearance of an executor, administrator, administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem, or special administrator, no fee.

(E) Except as provided in subsection (v)(3)(D), for filing the appearance of any person or persons, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $30.

(F) For each jury demand, a minimum of $62.50 and a maximum of $137.50.

(G) For disposition of the collection of a judgment or settlement of an action or claim for wrongful death of a decedent or of any cause of action of a ward, when there is no other administration of the estate, a minimum of $30 and a maximum of $50, less any amount paid under subsection (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B) except that if the amount involved does not exceed $5,000, the fee, including any amount paid under subsection (v)(1)(B) or (v)(2)(B), shall be a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $20.

(H) For each certified copy of letters of office, of court order or other certification, a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $2, plus a minimum of 50 cents and a maximum of $1 per page in excess of 3 pages for the document certified.

(I) For each exemplification, a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $2, plus the fee for certification.

(4) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner, or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay the cost of publication by the clerk directly to the newspaper.

(5) The person on whose behalf a charge is incurred for witness, court reporter, appraiser, or other miscellaneous fee shall pay the same directly to the person entitled thereto.

(6) The executor, administrator, guardian, petitioner, or other interested person or his or her attorney shall pay to the clerk all postage charges incurred by the clerk in mailing petitions, orders, notices, or other documents pursuant to the provisions of the Probate Act of 1975.

(w) Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Costs and Fees.

(1) The clerk shall be entitled to costs in all criminal and quasi-criminal cases from each person convicted or sentenced to supervision therein as follows:

(A) Felony complaints, a minimum of $40 and a maximum of $100.

(B) Misdemeanor complaints, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $75.

(C) Business offense complaints, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $75.

(D) Petty offense complaints, a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $75.

(E) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $10.

(F) When court appearance required, $15.

(G) Motions to vacate or amend final orders, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.

(H) Motions to vacate bond forfeiture orders, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.

(I) Motions to vacate ex parte judgments, whenever filed, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.

(J) Motions to vacate judgment on forfeitures, whenever filed, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.

(K) Motions to vacate "failure to appear" or "failure to comply" notices sent to the Secretary of State, a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $40.

(2) In counties having a population of not more than 500,000 inhabitants, when the violation complaint is issued by a municipal police department, the clerk shall be entitled to costs from each person convicted therein as follows:

(A) Minor traffic or ordinance violations, $10.

(B) When court appearance required, $15.

(3) In ordinance violation cases punishable by fine only, the clerk of the circuit court shall be entitled to receive, unless the fee is excused upon a finding by the court that the defendant is indigent, in addition to other fees or costs allowed or imposed by law, the sum of a minimum of $62.50 and a maximum of $137.50 as a fee for the services of a jury. The jury fee shall be paid by the defendant at the time of filing his or her jury demand. If the fee is not so paid by the defendant, no jury shall be called, and the case shall be tried by the court without a jury.

(x) Transcripts of Judgment.

For the filing of a transcript of judgment, the clerk shall be entitled to the same fee as if it were the commencement of a new suit.

(y) Change of Venue.

(1) For the filing of a change of case on a change of venue, the clerk shall be entitled to the same fee as if it were the commencement of a new suit.

(2) The fee for the preparation and certification of a record on a change of venue to another jurisdiction, when original documents are forwarded, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $40.

(z) Tax objection complaints.

For each tax objection complaint containing one or more tax objections, regardless of the number of parcels involved or the number of taxpayers joining on the complaint, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50.

(aa) Tax Deeds.

(1) Petition for tax deed, if only one parcel is involved, a minimum of $45 and a maximum of $200.

(2) For each additional parcel, add a fee of a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $60.

(bb) Collections.

(1) For all collections made of others, except the State and county and except in maintenance or child support cases, a sum equal to a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 2.5% of the amount collected and turned over.

(2) Interest earned on any funds held by the clerk shall be turned over to the county general fund as an earning of the office.

(3) For any check, draft, or other bank instrument returned to the clerk for non-sufficient funds, account closed, or payment stopped, $25.

(4) In child support and maintenance cases, the clerk, if authorized by an ordinance of the county board, may collect an annual fee of up to $36 from the person making payment for maintaining child support records and the processing of support orders to the State of Illinois KIDS system and the recording of payments issued by the State Disbursement Unit for the official record of the Court. This fee shall be in addition to and separate from amounts ordered to be paid as maintenance or child support and shall be deposited into a Separate Maintenance and Child Support Collection Fund, of which the clerk shall be the custodian, ex-officio, to be used by the clerk to maintain child support orders and record all payments issued by the State Disbursement Unit for the official record of the Court. The clerk may recover from the person making the maintenance or child support payment any additional cost incurred in the collection of this annual fee.

The clerk shall also be entitled to a fee of $5 for certifications made to the Secretary of State as provided in Section 7-703 of the Family Financial Responsibility Law and these fees shall also be deposited into the Separate Maintenance and Child Support Collection Fund.

(cc) Corrections of Numbers.

For correction of the case number, case title, or attorney computer identification number, if required by rule of court, on any document filed in the clerk's office, to be charged against the party that filed the document, a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $25.

(dd) Exceptions.

(1) The fee requirements of this Section shall not apply to police departments or other law enforcement agencies. In this Section, "law enforcement agency" means an agency of the State or a unit of local government which is vested by law or ordinance with the duty to maintain public order and to enforce criminal laws or ordinances. "Law enforcement agency" also means the Attorney General or any state's attorney.

(2) No fee provided herein shall be charged to any unit of local government or school district.

(3) The fee requirements of this Section shall not apply to any action instituted under subsection (b) of Section 11-31-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code by a private owner or tenant of real property within 1200 feet of a dangerous or unsafe building seeking an order compelling the owner or owners of the building to take any of the actions authorized under that subsection.

(4) The fee requirements of this Section shall not apply to the filing of any commitment petition or petition for an order authorizing the administration of psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.

(ee) Adoptions.

(1) For an adoption...............................$65

(2) Upon good cause shown, the court may waive the adoption filing fee in a special needs adoption. The term "special needs adoption" shall have the meaning ascribed to it by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

(ff) Adoption exemptions.

No fee other than that set forth in subsection (ee) shall be charged to any person in connection with an adoption proceeding nor may any fee be charged for proceedings for the appointment of a confidential intermediary under the Adoption Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-172, eff. 8-14-07; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 961. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by changing Sections 1-3 and 6-9 as follows:

(705 ILCS 405/1-3) (from Ch. 37, par. 801-3)

Sec. 1-3. Definitions. Terms used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings ascribed to them:

(1) "Adjudicatory hearing" means a hearing to determine whether the allegations of a petition under Section 2-13, 3-15 or 4-12 that a minor under 18 years of age is abused, neglected or dependent, or requires authoritative intervention, or addicted, respectively, are supported by a preponderance of the evidence or whether the allegations of a petition under Section 5-520 that a minor is delinquent are proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

(2) "Adult" means a person 21 years of age or older.

(3) "Agency" means a public or private child care facility legally authorized or licensed by this State for placement or institutional care or for both placement and institutional care.

(4) "Association" means any organization, public or private, engaged in welfare functions which include services to or on behalf of children but does not include "agency" as herein defined.

(4.05) Whenever a "best interest" determination is required, the following factors shall be considered in the context of the child's age and developmental needs:

(a) the physical safety and welfare of the child, including food, shelter, health, and clothing;

(b) the development of the child's identity;

(c) the child's background and ties, including familial, cultural, and religious;

(d) the child's sense of attachments, including:

(i) where the child actually feels love, attachment, and a sense of being valued (as opposed to where adults believe the child should feel such love, attachment, and a sense of being valued);

(ii) the child's sense of security;

(iii) the child's sense of familiarity;

(iv) continuity of affection for the child;

(v) the least disruptive placement alternative for the child;

(e) the child's wishes and long-term goals;

(f) the child's community ties, including church, school, and friends;

(g) the child's need for permanence which includes the child's need for stability and continuity of relationships with parent figures and with siblings and other relatives;

(h) the uniqueness of every family and child;

(i) the risks attendant to entering and being in substitute care; and

(j) the preferences of the persons available to care for the child.

(4.1) "Chronic truant" shall have the definition ascribed to it in Section 26-2a of the School Code.

(5) "Court" means the circuit court in a session or division assigned to hear proceedings under this Act.

(6) "Dispositional hearing" means a hearing to determine whether a minor should be adjudged to be a ward of the court, and to determine what order of disposition should be made in respect to a minor adjudged to be a ward of the court.

(7) "Emancipated minor" means any minor 16 years of age or over who has been completely or partially emancipated under the Emancipation of Minors Act or under this Act.

(7.05) "Foster parent" includes a relative caregiver selected by the Department of Children and Family Services to provide care for the minor.

(8) "Guardianship of the person" of a minor means the duty and authority to act in the best interests of the minor, subject to residual parental rights and responsibilities, to make important decisions in matters having a permanent effect on the life and development of the minor and to be concerned with his or her general welfare. It includes but is not necessarily limited to:

(a) the authority to consent to marriage, to enlistment in the armed forces of the United States, or to a major medical, psychiatric, and surgical treatment; to represent the minor in legal actions; and to make other decisions of substantial legal significance concerning the minor;

(b) the authority and duty of reasonable visitation, except to the extent that these have been limited in the best interests of the minor by court order;

(c) the rights and responsibilities of legal custody except where legal custody has been vested in another person or agency; and

(d) the power to consent to the adoption of the minor, but only if expressly conferred on the guardian in accordance with Section 2-29, 3-30, or 4-27.

(9) "Legal custody" means the relationship created by an order of court in the best interests of the minor which imposes on the custodian the responsibility of physical possession of a minor and the duty to protect, train and discipline him and to provide him with food, shelter, education and ordinary medical care, except as these are limited by residual parental rights and responsibilities and the rights and responsibilities of the guardian of the person, if any.

(9.1) "Mentally capable adult relative" means a person 21 years of age or older who is not suffering from a mental illness that prevents him or her from providing the care necessary to safeguard the physical safety and welfare of a minor who is left in that person's care by the parent or parents or other person responsible for the minor's welfare.

(10) "Minor" means a person under the age of 21 years subject to this Act.

(11) "Parent" means a the father or mother of a child and includes any adoptive parent. It also includes a person man (i) whose parentage paternity is presumed or has been established under the law of this or another jurisdiction or (ii) who has registered with the Putative Father Registry in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Adoption Act and whose paternity has not been ruled out under the law of this or another jurisdiction. It does not include a parent whose rights in respect to the minor have been terminated in any manner provided by law. It does not include a person who has been or could be determined to be a parent under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or similar parentage law in any other state, if that person has been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to a crime that resulted in the conception of the child under Section 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-11, 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, subsection (a) or (b) (but not subsection (c)) of Section 11-1.50 or 12-15, or subsection (a), (b), (c), (e), or (f) (but not subsection (d)) of Section 11-1.60 or 12-16 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, or similar statute in another jurisdiction unless upon motion of any party, other than the offender, to the juvenile court proceedings the court finds it is in the child's best interest to deem the offender a parent for purposes of the juvenile court proceedings.

(11.1) "Permanency goal" means a goal set by the court as defined in subdivision (2) of Section 2-28.

(11.2) "Permanency hearing" means a hearing to set the permanency goal and to review and determine (i) the appropriateness of the services contained in the plan and whether those services have been provided, (ii) whether reasonable efforts have been made by all the parties to the service plan to achieve the goal, and (iii) whether the plan and goal have been achieved.

(12) "Petition" means the petition provided for in Section 2-13, 3-15, 4-12 or 5-520, including any supplemental petitions thereunder in Section 3-15, 4-12 or 5-520.

(12.1) "Physically capable adult relative" means a person 21 years of age or older who does not have a severe physical disability or medical condition, or is not suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction, that prevents him or her from providing the care necessary to safeguard the physical safety and welfare of a minor who is left in that person's care by the parent or parents or other person responsible for the minor's welfare.

(12.2) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement" has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 7.4 of the Children and Family Services Act.

(13) "Residual parental rights and responsibilities" means those rights and responsibilities remaining with the parent after the transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including, but not necessarily limited to, the right to reasonable visitation (which may be limited by the court in the best interests of the minor as provided in subsection (8)(b) of this Section), the right to consent to adoption, the right to determine the minor's religious affiliation, and the responsibility for his support.

(14) "Shelter" means the temporary care of a minor in physically unrestricting facilities pending court disposition or execution of court order for placement.

(14.1) "Sibling Contact Support Plan" has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 7.4 of the Children and Family Services Act.

(15) "Station adjustment" means the informal handling of an alleged offender by a juvenile police officer.

(16) "Ward of the court" means a minor who is so adjudged under Section 2-22, 3-23, 4-20 or 5-705, after a finding of the requisite jurisdictional facts, and thus is subject to the dispositional powers of the court under this Act.

(17) "Juvenile police officer" means a sworn police officer who has completed a Basic Recruit Training Course, has been assigned to the position of juvenile police officer by his or her chief law enforcement officer and has completed the necessary juvenile officers training as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, or in the case of a State police officer, juvenile officer training approved by the Director of the Department of State Police.

(18) "Secure child care facility" means any child care facility licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services to provide secure living arrangements for children under 18 years of age who are subject to placement in facilities under the Children and Family Services Act and who are not subject to placement in facilities for whom standards are established by the Department of Corrections under Section 3-15-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections. "Secure child care facility" also means a facility that is designed and operated to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility, a building, or a distinct part of the building are under the exclusive control of the staff of the facility, whether or not the child has the freedom of movement within the perimeter of the facility, building, or distinct part of the building.

(Source: P.A. 97-568, eff. 8-25-11; 97-1076, eff. 8-24-12; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-249, eff. 1-1-14.)

(705 ILCS 405/6-9) (from Ch. 37, par. 806-9)

Sec. 6-9. Enforcement of liability of parents and others.

(1) If parentage is at issue in any proceeding under this Act, other than cases involving those exceptions to the definition of parent set out in item (11) in Section 1-3, then the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984 shall apply and the court shall enter orders consistent with that Act. If it appears at any hearing that a parent or any other person named in the petition, liable under the law for the support of the minor, is able to contribute to his or her support, the court shall enter an order requiring that parent or other person to pay the clerk of the court, or to the guardian or custodian appointed under Sections 2-27, 3-28, 4-25 or 5-740, a reasonable sum from time to time for the care, support and necessary special care or treatment, of the minor. If the court determines at any hearing that a parent or any other person named in the petition, liable under the law for the support of the minor, is able to contribute to help defray the costs associated with the minor's detention in a county or regional detention center, the court shall enter an order requiring that parent or other person to pay the clerk of the court a reasonable sum for the care and support of the minor. The court may require reasonable security for the payments. Upon failure to pay, the court may enforce obedience to the order by a proceeding as for contempt of court.

If it appears that the person liable for the support of the minor is able to contribute to legal fees for representation of the minor, the court shall enter an order requiring that person to pay a reasonable sum for the representation, to the attorney providing the representation or to the clerk of the court for deposit in the appropriate account or fund. The sum may be paid as the court directs, and the payment thereof secured and enforced as provided in this Section for support.

If it appears at the detention or shelter care hearing of a minor before the court under Section 5-501 that a parent or any other person liable for support of the minor is able to contribute to his or her support, that parent or other person shall be required to pay a fee for room and board at a rate not to exceed $10 per day established, with the concurrence of the chief judge of the judicial circuit, by the county board of the county in which the minor is detained unless the court determines that it is in the best interest and welfare of the minor to waive the fee. The concurrence of the chief judge shall be in the form of an administrative order. Each week, on a day designated by the clerk of the circuit court, that parent or other person shall pay the clerk for the minor's room and board. All fees for room and board collected by the circuit court clerk shall be disbursed into the separate county fund under Section 6-7.

Upon application, the court shall waive liability for support or legal fees under this Section if the parent or other person establishes that he or she is indigent and unable to pay the incurred liability, and the court may reduce or waive liability if the parent or other person establishes circumstances showing that full payment of support or legal fees would result in financial hardship to the person or his or her family.

(2) When a person so ordered to pay for the care and support of a minor is employed for wages, salary or commission, the court may order him to make the support payments for which he is liable under this Act out of his wages, salary or commission and to assign so much thereof as will pay the support. The court may also order him to make discovery to the court as to his place of employment and the amounts earned by him. Upon his failure to obey the orders of court he may be punished as for contempt of court.

(3) If the minor is a recipient of public aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court shall order that payments made by a parent or through assignment of his wages, salary or commission be made directly to (a) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services if the minor is a recipient of aid under Article V of the Code, (b) the Department of Human Services if the minor is a recipient of aid under Article IV of the Code, or (c) the local governmental unit responsible for the support of the minor if he is a recipient under Articles VI or VII of the Code. The order shall permit the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, or the local governmental unit, as the case may be, to direct that subsequent payments be made directly to the guardian or custodian of the minor, or to some other person or agency in the minor's behalf, upon removal of the minor from the public aid rolls; and upon such direction and removal of the minor from the public aid rolls, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Human Services, or local governmental unit, as the case requires, shall give written notice of such action to the court. Payments received by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Human Services, or local governmental unit are to be covered, respectively, into the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury or General Assistance Fund of the governmental unit, as provided in Section 10-19 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(Source: P.A. 97-568, eff. 8-25-11.)

Section 962. The Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is amended by changing Section 112A-14 as follows:

(725 ILCS 5/112A-14) (from Ch. 38, par. 112A-14)

Sec. 112A-14. Order of protection; remedies.

(a) Issuance of order. If the court finds that petitioner has been abused by a family or household member, as defined in this Article, an order of protection prohibiting such abuse shall issue; provided that petitioner must also satisfy the requirements of one of the following Sections, as appropriate: Section 112A-17 on emergency orders, Section 112A-18 on interim orders, or Section 112A-19 on plenary orders. Petitioner shall not be denied an order of protection because petitioner or respondent is a minor. The court, when determining whether or not to issue an order of protection, shall not require physical manifestations of abuse on the person of the victim. Modification and extension of prior orders of protection shall be in accordance with this Article.

(b) Remedies and standards. The remedies to be included in an order of protection shall be determined in accordance with this Section and one of the following Sections, as appropriate: Section 112A-17 on emergency orders, Section 112A-18 on interim orders, and Section 112A-19 on plenary orders. The remedies listed in this subsection shall be in addition to other civil or criminal remedies available to petitioner.

(1) Prohibition of abuse. Prohibit respondent's harassment, interference with personal liberty, intimidation of a dependent, physical abuse or willful deprivation, as defined in this Article, if such abuse has occurred or otherwise appears likely to occur if not prohibited.

(2) Grant of exclusive possession of residence. Prohibit respondent from entering or remaining in any residence, household, or premises of the petitioner, including one owned or leased by respondent, if petitioner has a right to occupancy thereof. The grant of exclusive possession of the residence, household, or premises shall not affect title to real property, nor shall the court be limited by the standard set forth in Section 701 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(A) Right to occupancy. A party has a right to occupancy of a residence or household if it is solely or jointly owned or leased by that party, that party's spouse, a person with a legal duty to support that party or a minor child in that party's care, or by any person or entity other than the opposing party that authorizes that party's occupancy (e.g., a domestic violence shelter). Standards set forth in subparagraph (B) shall not preclude equitable relief.

(B) Presumption of hardships. If petitioner and respondent each has the right to occupancy of a residence or household, the court shall balance (i) the hardships to respondent and any minor child or dependent adult in respondent's care resulting from entry of this remedy with (ii) the hardships to petitioner and any minor child or dependent adult in petitioner's care resulting from continued exposure to the risk of abuse (should petitioner remain at the residence or household) or from loss of possession of the residence or household (should petitioner leave to avoid the risk of abuse). When determining the balance of hardships, the court shall also take into account the accessibility of the residence or household. Hardships need not be balanced if respondent does not have a right to occupancy.

The balance of hardships is presumed to favor possession by petitioner unless the presumption is rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, showing that the hardships to respondent substantially outweigh the hardships to petitioner and any minor child or dependent adult in petitioner's care. The court, on the request of petitioner or on its own motion, may order respondent to provide suitable, accessible, alternate housing for petitioner instead of excluding respondent from a mutual residence or household.

(3) Stay away order and additional prohibitions. Order respondent to stay away from petitioner or any other person protected by the order of protection, or prohibit respondent from entering or remaining present at petitioner's school, place of employment, or other specified places at times when petitioner is present, or both, if reasonable, given the balance of hardships. Hardships need not be balanced for the court to enter a stay away order or prohibit entry if respondent has no right to enter the premises.

If an order of protection grants petitioner exclusive possession of the residence, or prohibits respondent from entering the residence, or orders respondent to stay away from petitioner or other protected persons, then the court may allow respondent access to the residence to remove items of clothing and personal adornment used exclusively by respondent, medications, and other items as the court directs. The right to access shall be exercised on only one occasion as the court directs and in the presence of an agreed-upon adult third party or law enforcement officer.

(4) Counseling. Require or recommend the respondent to undergo counseling for a specified duration with a social worker, psychologist, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, family service agency, alcohol or substance abuse program, mental health center guidance counselor, agency providing services to elders, program designed for domestic violence abusers or any other guidance service the court deems appropriate. The court may order the respondent in any intimate partner relationship to report to an Illinois Department of Human Services protocol approved partner abuse intervention program for an assessment and to follow all recommended treatment.

(5) Physical care and possession of the minor child. In order to protect the minor child from abuse, neglect, or unwarranted separation from the person who has been the minor child's primary caretaker, or to otherwise protect the well-being of the minor child, the court may do either or both of the following: (i) grant petitioner physical care or possession of the minor child, or both, or (ii) order respondent to return a minor child to, or not remove a minor child from, the physical care of a parent or person in loco parentis.

If a court finds, after a hearing, that respondent has committed abuse (as defined in Section 112A-3) of a minor child, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that awarding physical care to respondent would not be in the minor child's best interest.

(6) Temporary legal custody. Award temporary legal custody to petitioner in accordance with this Section, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, and this State's Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.

If a court finds, after a hearing, that respondent has committed abuse (as defined in Section 112A-3) of a minor child, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that awarding temporary legal custody to respondent would not be in the child's best interest.

(7) Visitation. Determine the visitation rights, if any, of respondent in any case in which the court awards physical care or temporary legal custody of a minor child to petitioner. The court shall restrict or deny respondent's visitation with a minor child if the court finds that respondent has done or is likely to do any of the following: (i) abuse or endanger the minor child during visitation; (ii) use the visitation as an opportunity to abuse or harass petitioner or petitioner's family or household members; (iii) improperly conceal or detain the minor child; or (iv) otherwise act in a manner that is not in the best interests of the minor child. The court shall not be limited by the standards set forth in Section 607.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. If the court grants visitation, the order shall specify dates and times for the visitation to take place or other specific parameters or conditions that are appropriate. No order for visitation shall refer merely to the term "reasonable visitation".

Petitioner may deny respondent access to the minor child if, when respondent arrives for visitation, respondent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and constitutes a threat to the safety and well-being of petitioner or petitioner's minor children or is behaving in a violent or abusive manner.

If necessary to protect any member of petitioner's family or household from future abuse, respondent shall be prohibited from coming to petitioner's residence to meet the minor child for visitation, and the parties shall submit to the court their recommendations for reasonable alternative arrangements for visitation. A person may be approved to supervise visitation only after filing an affidavit accepting that responsibility and acknowledging accountability to the court.

(8) Removal or concealment of minor child. Prohibit respondent from removing a minor child from the State or concealing the child within the State.

(9) Order to appear. Order the respondent to appear in court, alone or with a minor child, to prevent abuse, neglect, removal or concealment of the child, to return the child to the custody or care of the petitioner or to permit any court-ordered interview or examination of the child or the respondent.

(10) Possession of personal property. Grant petitioner exclusive possession of personal property and, if respondent has possession or control, direct respondent to promptly make it available to petitioner, if:

(i) petitioner, but not respondent, owns the property; or

(ii) the parties own the property jointly; sharing it would risk abuse of petitioner by respondent or is impracticable; and the balance of hardships favors temporary possession by petitioner.

If petitioner's sole claim to ownership of the property is that it is marital property, the court may award petitioner temporary possession thereof under the standards of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph only if a proper proceeding has been filed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended.

No order under this provision shall affect title to property.

(11) Protection of property. Forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, damaging or otherwise disposing of any real or personal property, except as explicitly authorized by the court, if:

(i) petitioner, but not respondent, owns the property; or

(ii) the parties own the property jointly, and the balance of hardships favors granting this remedy.

If petitioner's sole claim to ownership of the property is that it is marital property, the court may grant petitioner relief under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph only if a proper proceeding has been filed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended.

The court may further prohibit respondent from improperly using the financial or other resources of an aged member of the family or household for the profit or advantage of respondent or of any other person.

(11.5) Protection of animals. Grant the petitioner the exclusive care, custody, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner or the respondent or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either the petitioner or the respondent and order the respondent to stay away from the animal and forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal.

(12) Order for payment of support. Order respondent to pay temporary support for the petitioner or any child in the petitioner's care or custody, when the respondent has a legal obligation to support that person, in accordance with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which shall govern, among other matters, the amount of support, payment through the clerk and withholding of income to secure payment. An order for child support may be granted to a petitioner with lawful physical care or custody of a child, or an order or agreement for physical care or custody, prior to entry of an order for legal custody. Such a support order shall expire upon entry of a valid order granting legal custody to another, unless otherwise provided in the custody order.

(13) Order for payment of losses. Order respondent to pay petitioner for losses suffered as a direct result of the abuse. Such losses shall include, but not be limited to, medical expenses, lost earnings or other support, repair or replacement of property damaged or taken, reasonable attorney's fees, court costs and moving or other travel expenses, including additional reasonable expenses for temporary shelter and restaurant meals.

(i) Losses affecting family needs. If a party is entitled to seek maintenance, child support or property distribution from the other party under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended, the court may order respondent to reimburse petitioner's actual losses, to the extent that such reimbursement would be "appropriate temporary relief", as authorized by subsection (a)(3) of Section 501 of that Act.

(ii) Recovery of expenses. In the case of an improper concealment or removal of a minor child, the court may order respondent to pay the reasonable expenses incurred or to be incurred in the search for and recovery of the minor child, including but not limited to legal fees, court costs, private investigator fees, and travel costs.

(14) Prohibition of entry. Prohibit the respondent from entering or remaining in the residence or household while the respondent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and constitutes a threat to the safety and well-being of the petitioner or the petitioner's children.

(14.5) Prohibition of firearm possession.

(A) A person who is subject to an existing order of protection, interim order of protection, emergency order of protection, or plenary order of protection, issued under this Code may not lawfully possess weapons under Section 8.2 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(B) Any firearms in the possession of the respondent, except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph (14.5), shall be ordered by the court to be turned over to a person with a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card for safekeeping. The court shall issue an order that the respondent's Firearm Owner's Identification Card be turned over to the local law enforcement agency, which in turn shall immediately mail the card to the Department of State Police Firearm Owner's Identification Card Office for safekeeping. The period of safekeeping shall be for the duration of the order of protection. The firearm or firearms and Firearm Owner's Identification Card, if unexpired, shall at the respondent's request be returned to the respondent at expiration of the order of protection.

(C) If the respondent is a peace officer as defined in Section 2-13 of the Criminal Code of 2012, the court shall order that any firearms used by the respondent in the performance of his or her duties as a peace officer be surrendered to the chief law enforcement executive of the agency in which the respondent is employed, who shall retain the firearms for safekeeping for the duration of the order of protection.

(D) Upon expiration of the period of safekeeping, if the firearms or Firearm Owner's Identification Card cannot be returned to respondent because respondent cannot be located, fails to respond to requests to retrieve the firearms, or is not lawfully eligible to possess a firearm, upon petition from the local law enforcement agency, the court may order the local law enforcement agency to destroy the firearms, use the firearms for training purposes, or for any other application as deemed appropriate by the local law enforcement agency; or that the firearms be turned over to a third party who is lawfully eligible to possess firearms, and who does not reside with respondent.

(15) Prohibition of access to records. If an order of protection prohibits respondent from having contact with the minor child, or if petitioner's address is omitted under subsection (b) of Section 112A-5, or if necessary to prevent abuse or wrongful removal or concealment of a minor child, the order shall deny respondent access to, and prohibit respondent from inspecting, obtaining, or attempting to inspect or obtain, school or any other records of the minor child who is in the care of petitioner.

(16) Order for payment of shelter services. Order respondent to reimburse a shelter providing temporary housing and counseling services to the petitioner for the cost of the services, as certified by the shelter and deemed reasonable by the court.

(17) Order for injunctive relief. Enter injunctive relief necessary or appropriate to prevent further abuse of a family or household member or to effectuate one of the granted remedies, if supported by the balance of hardships. If the harm to be prevented by the injunction is abuse or any other harm that one of the remedies listed in paragraphs (1) through (16) of this subsection is designed to prevent, no further evidence is necessary to establish that the harm is an irreparable injury.

(c) Relevant factors; findings.

(1) In determining whether to grant a specific remedy, other than payment of support, the court shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

(i) the nature, frequency, severity, pattern and consequences of the respondent's past abuse of the petitioner or any family or household member, including the concealment of his or her location in order to evade service of process or notice, and the likelihood of danger of future abuse to petitioner or any member of petitioner's or respondent's family or household; and

(ii) the danger that any minor child will be abused or neglected or improperly removed from the jurisdiction, improperly concealed within the State or improperly separated from the child's primary caretaker.

(2) In comparing relative hardships resulting to the parties from loss of possession of the family home, the court shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

(i) availability, accessibility, cost, safety, adequacy, location and other characteristics of alternate housing for each party and any minor child or dependent adult in the party's care;

(ii) the effect on the party's employment; and

(iii) the effect on the relationship of the party, and any minor child or dependent adult in the party's care, to family, school, church and community.

(3) Subject to the exceptions set forth in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the court shall make its findings in an official record or in writing, and shall at a minimum set forth the following:

(i) That the court has considered the applicable relevant factors described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.

(ii) Whether the conduct or actions of respondent, unless prohibited, will likely cause irreparable harm or continued abuse.

(iii) Whether it is necessary to grant the requested relief in order to protect petitioner or other alleged abused persons.

(4) For purposes of issuing an ex parte emergency order of protection, the court, as an alternative to or as a supplement to making the findings described in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (c)(3)(iii) of this subsection, may use the following procedure:

When a verified petition for an emergency order of protection in accordance with the requirements of Sections 112A-5 and 112A-17 is presented to the court, the court shall examine petitioner on oath or affirmation. An emergency order of protection shall be issued by the court if it appears from the contents of the petition and the examination of petitioner that the averments are sufficient to indicate abuse by respondent and to support the granting of relief under the issuance of the emergency order of protection.

(5) Never married parties. No rights or responsibilities for a minor child born outside of marriage attach to a putative father until a father and child relationship has been established under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act. Absent such an adjudication, no putative father shall be granted temporary custody of the minor child, visitation with the minor child, or physical care and possession of the minor child, nor shall an order of payment for support of the minor child be entered.

(d) Balance of hardships; findings. If the court finds that the balance of hardships does not support the granting of a remedy governed by paragraph (2), (3), (10), (11), or (16) of subsection (b) of this Section, which may require such balancing, the court's findings shall so indicate and shall include a finding as to whether granting the remedy will result in hardship to respondent that would substantially outweigh the hardship to petitioner from denial of the remedy. The findings shall be an official record or in writing.

(e) Denial of remedies. Denial of any remedy shall not be based, in whole or in part, on evidence that:

(1) Respondent has cause for any use of force, unless that cause satisfies the standards for justifiable use of force provided by Article 7 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(2) Respondent was voluntarily intoxicated;

(3) Petitioner acted in self-defense or defense of another, provided that, if petitioner utilized force, such force was justifiable under Article 7 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(4) Petitioner did not act in self-defense or defense of another;

(5) Petitioner left the residence or household to avoid further abuse by respondent;

(6) Petitioner did not leave the residence or household to avoid further abuse by respondent;

(7) Conduct by any family or household member excused the abuse by respondent, unless that same conduct would have excused such abuse if the parties had not been family or household members.

(Source: P.A. 97-158, eff. 1-1-12; 97-1131, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-63, eff. 7-9-13.)

Section 963. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by changing Section 3-5-4 as follows:

(730 ILCS 5/3-5-4)

Sec. 3-5-4. Exchange of information for child support enforcement.

(a) The Department shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

(b) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Department shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under subsection (a) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 964. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by changing Sections 2-209, 2-1401, 12-112, and 12-819 as follows:

(735 ILCS 5/2-209) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-209)

Sec. 2-209. Act submitting to jurisdiction - Process.

(a) Any person, whether or not a citizen or resident of this State, who in person or through an agent does any of the acts hereinafter enumerated, thereby submits such person, and, if an individual, his or her personal representative, to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State as to any cause of action arising from the doing of any of such acts:

(1) The transaction of any business within this State;

(2) The commission of a tortious act within this State;

(3) The ownership, use, or possession of any real estate situated in this State;

(4) Contracting to insure any person, property or risk located within this State at the time of contracting;

(5) With respect to actions of dissolution of marriage, declaration of invalidity of marriage and legal separation, the maintenance in this State of a matrimonial domicile at the time this cause of action arose or the commission in this State of any act giving rise to the cause of action;

(6) With respect to actions brought under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, as now or hereafter amended, or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 on and after the effective date of that Act, the performance of an act of sexual intercourse within this State during the possible period of conception;

(7) The making or performance of any contract or promise substantially connected with this State;

(8) The performance of sexual intercourse within this State which is claimed to have resulted in the conception of a child who resides in this State;

(9) The failure to support a child, spouse or former spouse who has continued to reside in this State since the person either formerly resided with them in this State or directed them to reside in this State;

(10) The acquisition of ownership, possession or control of any asset or thing of value present within this State when ownership, possession or control was acquired;

(11) The breach of any fiduciary duty within this State;

(12) The performance of duties as a director or officer of a corporation organized under the laws of this State or having its principal place of business within this State;

(13) The ownership of an interest in any trust administered within this State; or

(14) The exercise of powers granted under the authority of this State as a fiduciary.

(b) A court may exercise jurisdiction in any action arising within or without this State against any person who:

(1) Is a natural person present within this State when served;

(2) Is a natural person domiciled or resident within this State when the cause of action arose, the action was commenced, or process was served;

(3) Is a corporation organized under the laws of this State; or

(4) Is a natural person or corporation doing business within this State.

(b-5) Foreign defamation judgment. The courts of this State shall have personal jurisdiction over any person who obtains a judgment in a defamation proceeding outside the United States against any person who is a resident of Illinois or, if not a natural person, has its principal place of business in Illinois, for the purposes of rendering declaratory relief with respect to that resident's liability for the judgment, or for the purpose of determining whether said judgment should be deemed non-recognizable pursuant to this Code, to the fullest extent permitted by the United States Constitution, provided:

(1) the publication at issue was published in Illinois, and

(2) that resident (i) has assets in Illinois which might be used to satisfy the foreign defamation judgment, or (ii) may have to take actions in Illinois to comply with the foreign defamation judgment.

The provisions of this subsection (b-5) shall apply to persons who obtained judgments in defamation proceedings outside the United States prior to, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.

(c) A court may also exercise jurisdiction on any other basis now or hereafter permitted by the Illinois Constitution and the Constitution of the United States.

(d) Service of process upon any person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State, as provided in this Section, may be made by personally serving the summons upon the defendant outside this State, as provided in this Act, with the same force and effect as though summons had been personally served within this State.

(e) Service of process upon any person who resides or whose business address is outside the United States and who is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State, as provided in this Section, in any action based upon product liability may be made by serving a copy of the summons with a copy of the complaint attached upon the Secretary of State. The summons shall be accompanied by a $5 fee payable to the Secretary of State. The plaintiff shall forthwith mail a copy of the summons, upon which the date of service upon the Secretary is clearly shown, together with a copy of the complaint to the defendant at his or her last known place of residence or business address. Plaintiff shall file with the circuit clerk an affidavit of the plaintiff or his or her attorney stating the last known place of residence or the last known business address of the defendant and a certificate of mailing a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant at such address as required by this subsection (e). The certificate of mailing shall be prima facie evidence that the plaintiff or his or her attorney mailed a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant as required. Service of the summons shall be deemed to have been made upon the defendant on the date it is served upon the Secretary and shall have the same force and effect as though summons had been personally served upon the defendant within this State.

(f) Only causes of action arising from acts enumerated herein may be asserted against a defendant in an action in which jurisdiction over him or her is based upon subsection (a).

(g) Nothing herein contained limits or affects the right to serve any process in any other manner now or hereafter provided by law.

(Source: P.A. 95-865, eff. 8-19-08.)

(735 ILCS 5/2-1401) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-1401)

Sec. 2-1401. Relief from judgments.

(a) Relief from final orders and judgments, after 30 days from the entry thereof, may be had upon petition as provided in this Section. Writs of error coram nobis and coram vobis, bills of review and bills in the nature of bills of review are abolished. All relief heretofore obtainable and the grounds for such relief heretofore available, whether by any of the foregoing remedies or otherwise, shall be available in every case, by proceedings hereunder, regardless of the nature of the order or judgment from which relief is sought or of the proceedings in which it was entered. Except as provided in Section 6 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, there shall be no distinction between actions and other proceedings, statutory or otherwise, as to availability of relief, grounds for relief or the relief obtainable.

(b) The petition must be filed in the same proceeding in which the order or judgment was entered but is not a continuation thereof. The petition must be supported by affidavit or other appropriate showing as to matters not of record. All parties to the petition shall be notified as provided by rule.

(c) Except as provided in Section 20b of the Adoption Act and Section 2-32 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or in a petition based upon Section 116-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the petition must be filed not later than 2 years after the entry of the order or judgment. Time during which the person seeking relief is under legal disability or duress or the ground for relief is fraudulently concealed shall be excluded in computing the period of 2 years.

(d) The filing of a petition under this Section does not affect the order or judgment, or suspend its operation.

(e) Unless lack of jurisdiction affirmatively appears from the record proper, the vacation or modification of an order or judgment pursuant to the provisions of this Section does not affect the right, title or interest in or to any real or personal property of any person, not a party to the original action, acquired for value after the entry of the order or judgment but before the filing of the petition, nor affect any right of any person not a party to the original action under any certificate of sale issued before the filing of the petition, pursuant to a sale based on the order or judgment.

(f) Nothing contained in this Section affects any existing right to relief from a void order or judgment, or to employ any existing method to procure that relief.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(735 ILCS 5/12-112) (from Ch. 110, par. 12-112)

Sec. 12-112. What liable to enforcement. All the lands, tenements, real estate, goods and chattels (except such as is by law declared to be exempt) of every person against whom any judgment has been or shall be hereafter entered in any court, for any debt, damages, costs, or other sum of money, shall be liable to be sold upon such judgment. Any real property, any beneficial interest in a land trust, or any interest in real property held in a revocable inter vivos trust or revocable inter vivos trusts created for estate planning purposes, held in tenancy by the entirety shall not be liable to be sold upon judgment entered on or after October 1, 1990 against only one of the tenants, except if the property was transferred into tenancy by the entirety with the sole intent to avoid the payment of debts existing at the time of the transfer beyond the transferor's ability to pay those debts as they become due. However, any income from such property shall be subject to garnishment as provided in Part 7 of this Article XII, whether judgment has been entered against one or both of the tenants.

If the court authorizes the piercing of the ownership veil pursuant to Section 505 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or Section 805 15 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, any assets determined to be those of the non-custodial parent, although not held in name of the non-custodial parent, shall be subject to attachment or other provisional remedy in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Code. The court may not authorize attachment of property or any other provisional remedy under this paragraph unless it has obtained jurisdiction over the entity holding title to the property by proper service on that entity. With respect to assets which are real property, no order entered as described in this paragraph 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 pursuant to this Code 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.

This amendatory Act of 1995 (P.A. 89-438) is declarative of existing law.

This amendatory Act of 1997 (P.A. 90-514) is intended as a clarification of existing law and not as a new enactment.

(Source: P.A. 96-1145, eff. 1-1-11.)

(735 ILCS 5/12-819) (from Ch. 110, par. 12-819)

Sec. 12-819. Limitations on part 8 of Article XII. The provisions of this Part 8 of Article XII of this Act do not apply to orders for withholding of income entered by the court under provisions of The Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 and the Paternity Act for support of a child or maintenance of a spouse.

(Source: P.A. 91-613, eff. 10-1-99.)

Section 965. The Illinois Wage Assignment Act is amended by changing Section 11 as follows:

(740 ILCS 170/11) (from Ch. 48, par. 39.12)

Sec. 11. The provisions of this Act do not apply to orders for withholding of income entered by the court under provisions of The Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 and the Paternity Act for support of a child or maintenance of a spouse.

(Source: P.A. 91-613, eff. 10-1-99.)

Section 966. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act is amended by changing Section 713 as follows:

(750 ILCS 5/713) (from Ch. 40, par. 713)

Sec. 713. Attachment of the Body. As used in this Section, "obligor" has the same meaning ascribed to such term in the Income Withholding for Support Act.

(a) In any proceeding to enforce an order for support, where the obligor has failed to appear in court pursuant to order of court and after due notice thereof, the court may enter an order for the attachment of the body of the obligor. Notices under this Section shall be served upon the obligor by any means authorized under subsection (a-5) of Section 505. The attachment order shall fix an amount of escrow which is equal to a minimum of 20% of the total child support arrearage alleged by the obligee in sworn testimony to be due and owing. The attachment order shall direct the Sheriff of any county in Illinois to take the obligor into custody and shall set the number of days following release from custody for a hearing to be held at which the obligor must appear, if he is released under subsection (b) of this Section.

(b) If the obligor is taken into custody, the Sheriff shall take the obligor before the court which entered the attachment order. However, the Sheriff may release the person after he or she has deposited the amount of escrow ordered by the court pursuant to local procedures for the posting of bond. The Sheriff shall advise the obligor of the hearing date at which the obligor is required to appear.

(c) Any escrow deposited pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county in which the order for attachment of the body of the obligor was entered. Any Clerk who receives money deposited into escrow pursuant to this Section shall notify the obligee, public office or legal counsel whose name appears on the attachment order of the court date at which the obligor is required to appear and the amount deposited into escrow. The Clerk shall disburse such money to the obligee only under an order from the court that entered the attachment order pursuant to this Section.

(d) Whenever an obligor is taken before the court by the Sheriff, or appears in court after the court has ordered the attachment of his body, the court shall:

(1) hold a hearing on the complaint or petition that gave rise to the attachment order. For purposes of determining arrearages that are due and owing by the obligor, the court shall accept the previous sworn testimony of the obligee as true and the appearance of the obligee shall not be required. The court shall require sworn testimony of the obligor as to the last 4 digits of his or her Social Security number, income, employment, bank accounts, property and any other assets. If there is a dispute as to the total amount of arrearages, the court shall proceed as in any other case as to the undisputed amounts; and

(2) order the Clerk of the Circuit Court to disburse to the obligee or public office money held in escrow pursuant to this Section if the court finds that the amount of arrearages exceeds the amount of the escrow. Amounts received by the obligee or public office shall be deducted from the amount of the arrearages.

(e) If the obligor fails to appear in court after being notified of the court date by the Sheriff upon release from custody, the court shall order any monies deposited into escrow to be immediately released to the obligee or public office and shall proceed under subsection (a) of this Section by entering another order for the attachment of the body of the obligor.

(f) This Section shall apply to any order for support issued under the "Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act", approved September 22, 1977, as amended; the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015; the "Illinois Parentage Act of 1984", effective July 1, 1985, as amended; the "Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act", approved August 28, 1969, as amended; "The Illinois Public Aid Code", approved April 11, 1967, as amended; the Non-Support Punishment Act; and the "Non-support of Spouse and Children Act", approved June 8, 1953, as amended.

(g) Any escrow established pursuant to this Section for the purpose of providing support shall not be subject to fees collected by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for any other escrow.

(Source: P.A. 91-113, eff. 7-15-99; 91-613, eff. 10-1-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

Section 967. The Non-Support Punishment Act is amended by changing Section 50 as follows:

(750 ILCS 16/50)

Sec. 50. Community service; work alternative program.

(a) In addition to any other penalties imposed against an offender under this Act, the court may order the offender to perform community service for not less than 30 and not more than 120 hours per month, if community service is available in the jurisdiction and is funded and approved by the county board of the county where the offense was committed. In addition, whenever any person is placed on supervision for committing an offense under this Act, the supervision shall be conditioned on the performance of the community service.

(b) In addition to any other penalties imposed against an offender under this Act, the court may sentence the offender to service in a work alternative program administered by the sheriff. The conditions of the program are that the offender obtain or retain employment and participate in a work alternative program administered by the sheriff during non-working hours. A person may not be required to participate in a work alternative program under this subsection if the person is currently participating in a work program pursuant to another provision of this Act, Section 10-11.1 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, Section 505.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, or Section 806 15.1 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984.

(c) In addition to any other penalties imposed against an offender under this Act, the court may order, in cases where the offender has been in violation of this Act for 90 days or more, that the offender's Illinois driving privileges be suspended until the court determines that the offender is in compliance with this Act.

The court may determine that the offender is in compliance with this Act if the offender has agreed (i) to pay all required amounts of support and maintenance as determined by the court or (ii) to the garnishment of his or her income for the purpose of paying those amounts.

The court may also order that the offender 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 offender 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 offender's driving privileges until further order of the court and shall, if ordered by the court, subject to the provisions of Section 7-702.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, issue a family financial responsibility driving permit to the offender.

(d) If the court determines that the offender has been in violation of this Act for more than 60 days, the court may determine whether the offender has applied for or been issued a professional license by the Department of Professional Regulation or another licensing agency. If the court determines that the offender has applied for or been issued such a license, the court may certify to the Department of Professional Regulation or other licensing agency that the offender has been in violation of this Act for more than 60 days so that the Department or other agency may take appropriate steps with respect to the license or application as provided in Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. The court may take the actions required under this subsection in addition to imposing any other penalty authorized under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-613, eff. 10-1-99; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

Section 968. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act is amended by changing Section 102 as follows:

(750 ILCS 22/102) (was 750 ILCS 22/101)

Sec. 102. Definitions. In this Act:

"Child" means an individual, whether over or under the age of 18, who is or is alleged to be owed a duty of support by the individual's parent or who is or is alleged to be the beneficiary of a support order directed to the parent.

"Child-support order" means a support order for a child, including a child who has attained the age of 18.

"Duty of support" means an obligation imposed or imposable by law to provide support for a child, spouse, or former spouse including an unsatisfied obligation to provide support.

"Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding the time of filing of a petition or comparable pleading for support, and if a child is less than 6 months old, the state in which the child lived from birth with any of them. A period of temporary absence of any of them is counted as part of the 6-month or other period.

"Income" includes earnings or other periodic entitlements to money from any source and any other property subject to withholding for support under the law of this State.

"Income-withholding order" means an order or other legal process directed to an obligor's employer or other debtor, as defined by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, to withhold support from the income of the obligor.

"Initiating state" means a state from which a proceeding is forwarded or in which a proceeding is filed for forwarding to a responding state under this Act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this Act.

"Initiating tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in an initiating state.

"Issuing state" means the state in which a tribunal issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

"Issuing tribunal" means the tribunal that issues a support order or renders a judgment determining parentage.

"Obligee" means:

(A) an individual to whom a duty of support is or is alleged to be owed or in whose favor a support order has been issued or a judgment determining parentage has been rendered;

(B) a state or political subdivision to which the rights under a duty of support or support order have been assigned or which has independent claims based on financial assistance provided to an individual obligee; or

(C) an individual seeking a judgment determining parentage of the individual's child.

"Obligor" means an individual, or the estate of a decedent:

(i) who owes or is alleged to owe a duty of support;

(ii) who is alleged but has not been adjudicated to be a parent of a child; or

(iii) who is liable under a support order.

"Person means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

"Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

"Register" means to record a support order or judgment determining parentage in the appropriate Registry of Foreign Support Orders.

"Registering tribunal" means a tribunal in which a support order is registered.

"Responding state" means a state in which a proceeding is filed or to which a proceeding is forwarded for filing from an initiating state under this Act or a law or procedure substantially similar to this Act.

"Responding tribunal" means the authorized tribunal in a responding state.

"Spousal-support order" means a support order for a spouse or former spouse of the obligor.

"State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes:

(A) an Indian tribe; and

(B) a foreign country or political subdivision that:

(i) has been declared to be a foreign reciprocating country or political subdivision under federal law;

(ii) has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State as provided in Section 308; or

(iii) has enacted a law or established procedures for issuance and enforcement of support orders which are substantially similar to the procedures under this Act.

"Support enforcement agency" means a public official or agency authorized to seek:

(A) enforcement of support orders or laws relating to the duty of support;

(B) establishment or modification of child support;

(C) determination of parentage;

(D) to locate obligors or their assets; or

(E) determination of the controlling child support order.

"Support order" means a judgment, decree, order, or directive, whether temporary, final, or subject to modification, issued by a tribunal for the benefit of a child, a spouse, or a former spouse, which provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages, or reimbursement, and may include related costs and fees, interest, income withholding, attorney's fees, and other relief.

"Tribunal" means a court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce, or modify support orders or to determine parentage.

(Source: P.A. 93-479, eff. 1-1-04, operative 7-1-04; revised 11-26-14.)

Section 969. The Expedited Child Support Act of 1990 is amended by changing Section 6 as follows:

(750 ILCS 25/6) (from Ch. 40, par. 2706)

Sec. 6. Authority of hearing officers.

(a) With the exception of judicial functions exclusively retained by the court in Section 8 of this Act and in accordance with Supreme Court rules promulgated pursuant to this Act, Administrative Hearing Officers shall be authorized to:

(1) Accept voluntary agreements reached by the parties setting the amount of child support to be paid and medical support liability and recommend the entry of orders incorporating such agreements.

(2) Accept voluntary acknowledgments of parentage and recommend entry of an order establishing parentage based on such acknowledgement. Prior to accepting such acknowledgment, the Administrative Hearing Officer shall advise the putative father of his rights and obligations in accordance with Supreme Court rules promulgated pursuant to this Act.

(3) Manage all stages of discovery, including setting deadlines by which discovery must be completed; and directing the parties to submit to appropriate tests pursuant to Section 11 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984.

(4) Cause notices to be issued requiring the Obligor to appear either before the Administrative Hearing Officer or in court.

(5) Administer the oath or affirmation and take testimony under oath or affirmation.

(6) Analyze the evidence and prepare written recommendations based on such evidence, including but not limited to: (i) proposed findings as to the amount of the Obligor's income; (ii) proposed findings as to the amount and nature of appropriate deductions from the Obligor's income to determine the Obligor's net income; (iii) proposed findings as to the existence of relevant factors as set forth in subsection (a)(2) of Section 505 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which justify setting child support payment levels above or below the guidelines; (iv) recommended orders for temporary child support; (v) recommended orders setting the amount of current child support to be paid; (vi) proposed findings as to the existence and amount of any arrearages; (vii) recommended orders reducing any arrearages to judgement and for the payment of amounts towards such arrearages; (viii) proposed findings as to whether there has been a substantial change of circumstances since the entry of the last child support order, or other circumstances justifying a modification of the child support order; and (ix) proposed findings as to whether the Obligor is employed.

(7) With respect to any unemployed Obligor who is not making child support payments or is otherwise unable to provide support, recommend that the Obligor be ordered to seek employment and report periodically of his or her efforts in accordance with such order. Additionally, the Administrative Hearing Officer may recommend that the Obligor be ordered to report to the Department of Employment Security for job search services or to make application with the local Job Training Partnership Act provider for participation in job search, training or work programs and, where the duty of support is owed to a child receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Administrative Hearing Officer may recommend that the Obligor be ordered to report to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for participation in the job search, training or work programs established under Section 9-6 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(8) Recommend the registration of any foreign support judgments or orders as the judgments or orders of Illinois.

(b) In any case in which the Obligee is not participating in the IV-D program or has not applied to participate in the IV-D program, the Administrative Hearing Officer shall:

(1) inform the Obligee of the existence of the IV-D program and provide applications on request; and

(2) inform the Obligee and the Obligor of the option of requesting payment to be made through the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

If a request for payment through the Clerk is made, the Administrative Hearing Officer shall note this fact in the recommendations to the court.

(c) The Administrative Hearing Officer may make recommendations in addition to the proposed findings of fact and recommended order to which the parties have agreed.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 970. The Income Withholding for Support Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(750 ILCS 28/15)

Sec. 15. Definitions.

(a) "Order for support" means any order of the court which provides for periodic payment of funds for the support of a child or maintenance of a spouse, whether temporary or final, and includes any such order which provides for:

(1) modification or resumption of, or payment of arrearage, including interest, accrued under, a previously existing order;

(2) reimbursement of support;

(3) payment or reimbursement of the expenses of pregnancy and delivery (for orders for support entered under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or its predecessor the Paternity Act or under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015); or

(4) enrollment in a health insurance plan that is available to the obligor through an employer or labor union or trade union.

(b) "Arrearage" means the total amount of unpaid support obligations, including interest, as determined by the court and incorporated into an order for support.

(b-5) "Business day" means a day on which State offices are open for regular business.

(c) "Delinquency" means any payment, including a payment of interest, under an order for support which becomes due and remains unpaid after entry of the order for support.

(d) "Income" means any form of periodic payment to an individual, regardless of source, including, but not limited to: wages, salary, commission, compensation as an independent contractor, workers' compensation, disability, annuity, pension, and retirement benefits, lottery prize awards, insurance proceeds, vacation pay, bonuses, profit-sharing payments, severance pay, interest, and any other payments, made by any person, private entity, federal or state government, any unit of local government, school district or any entity created by Public Act; however, "income" excludes:

(1) any amounts required by law to be withheld, other than creditor claims, including, but not limited to, federal, State and local taxes, Social Security and other retirement and disability contributions;

(2) union dues;

(3) any amounts exempted by the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act;

(4) public assistance payments; and

(5) unemployment insurance benefits except as provided by law.

Any other State or local laws which limit or exempt income or the amount or percentage of income that can be withheld shall not apply.

(e) "Obligor" means the individual who owes a duty to make payments under an order for support.

(f) "Obligee" means the individual to whom a duty of support is owed or the individual's legal representative.

(g) "Payor" means any payor of income to an obligor.

(h) "Public office" means any elected official or any State or local agency which is or may become responsible by law for enforcement of, or which is or may become authorized to enforce, an order for support, including, but not limited to: the Attorney General, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the various State's Attorneys, Clerks of the Circuit Court and supervisors of general assistance.

(i) "Premium" means the dollar amount for which the obligor is liable to his employer or labor union or trade union and which must be paid to enroll or maintain a child in a health insurance plan that is available to the obligor through an employer or labor union or trade union.

(j) "State Disbursement Unit" means the unit established to collect and disburse support payments in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(k) "Title IV-D Agency" means the agency of this State charged by law with the duty to administer the child support enforcement program established under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act and Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(l) "Title IV-D case" means a case in which an obligee or obligor is receiving child support enforcement services under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act and Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(m) "National Medical Support Notice" means the notice required for enforcement of orders for support providing for health insurance coverage of a child under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and federal regulations promulgated under those Acts.

(n) "Employer" means a payor or labor union or trade union with an employee group health insurance plan and, for purposes of the National Medical Support Notice, also includes but is not limited to:

(1) any State or local governmental agency with a group health plan; and

(2) any payor with a group health plan or "church plan" covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

(Source: P.A. 94-90, eff. 1-1-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-685, eff. 10-23-07.)

Section 971. The Gestational Surrogacy Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(750 ILCS 47/35)

Sec. 35. Establishment of the parent-child relationship.

(a) For purposes of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, a parent-child relationship shall be established prior to the birth of a child born through gestational surrogacy if, in addition to satisfying the requirements of Articles 2 and 3 Sections 5 and 6 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, the attorneys representing both the gestational surrogate and the intended parent or parents certify that the parties entered into a gestational surrogacy contract intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 25 of this Act with respect to the child.

(b) The attorneys' certifications required by subsection (a) of this Section shall be filed on forms prescribed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and in a manner consistent with the requirement of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984.

(Source: P.A. 93-921, eff. 1-1-05.)

Section 972. The Adoption Act is amended by changing Sections 1, 8, 12a, and 18.06 as follows:

(750 ILCS 50/1) (from Ch. 40, par. 1501)

Sec. 1. Definitions. When used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

A. "Child" means a person under legal age subject to adoption under this Act.

B. "Related child" means a child subject to adoption where either or both of the adopting parents stands in any of the following relationships to the child by blood, marriage, adoption, or civil union: parent, grand-parent, great-grandparent, brother, sister, step-parent, step-grandparent, step-brother, step-sister, uncle, aunt, great-uncle, great-aunt, first cousin, or second cousin. A person is related to the child as a first cousin or second cousin if they are both related to the same ancestor as either grandchild or great-grandchild. A child whose parent has executed a consent to adoption, a surrender, or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act or whose parent has signed a denial of paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or Section 12a of this Act, or whose parent has had his or her parental rights terminated, is not a related child to that person, unless (1) the consent is determined to be void or is void pursuant to subsection O of Section 10 of this Act; or (2) the parent of the child executed a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons pursuant to subsection A-1 of Section 10 of this Act and a court of competent jurisdiction finds that such consent is void; or (3) the order terminating the parental rights of the parent is vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

C. "Agency" for the purpose of this Act means a public child welfare agency or a licensed child welfare agency.

D. "Unfit person" means any person whom the court shall find to be unfit to have a child, without regard to the likelihood that the child will be placed for adoption. The grounds of unfitness are any one or more of the following, except that a person shall not be considered an unfit person for the sole reason that the person has relinquished a child in accordance with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act:

(a) Abandonment of the child.

(a-1) Abandonment of a newborn infant in a hospital.

(a-2) Abandonment of a newborn infant in any setting where the evidence suggests that the parent intended to relinquish his or her parental rights.

(b) Failure to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the child's welfare.

(c) Desertion of the child for more than 3 months next preceding the commencement of the Adoption proceeding.

(d) Substantial neglect of the child if continuous or repeated.

(d-1) Substantial neglect, if continuous or repeated, of any child residing in the household which resulted in the death of that child.

(e) Extreme or repeated cruelty to the child.

(f) There is a rebuttable presumption, which can be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence, that a parent is unfit if:

(1) Two or more findings of physical abuse have been entered regarding any children under Section 2-21 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the most recent of which was determined by the juvenile court hearing the matter to be supported by clear and convincing evidence; or

(2) The parent has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity and the conviction or finding resulted from the death of any child by physical abuse; or

(3) There is a finding of physical child abuse resulting from the death of any child under Section 2-21 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

No conviction or finding of delinquency pursuant to Article V of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall be considered a criminal conviction for the purpose of applying any presumption under this item (f).

(g) Failure to protect the child from conditions within his environment injurious to the child's welfare.

(h) Other neglect of, or misconduct toward the child; provided that in making a finding of unfitness the court hearing the adoption proceeding shall not be bound by any previous finding, order or judgment affecting or determining the rights of the parents toward the child sought to be adopted in any other proceeding except such proceedings terminating parental rights as shall be had under either this Act, the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(i) Depravity. Conviction of any one of the following crimes shall create a presumption that a parent is depraved which can be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence: (1) first degree murder in violation of paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection (a) of Section 9-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or conviction of second degree murder in violation of subsection (a) of Section 9-2 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 of a parent of the child to be adopted; (2) first degree murder or second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (3) attempt or conspiracy to commit first degree murder or second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (4) solicitation to commit murder of any child, solicitation to commit murder of any child for hire, or solicitation to commit second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (5) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in violation of Section 11-1.40 or 12-14.1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (6) heinous battery of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961; or (7) aggravated battery of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is depraved if the parent has been criminally convicted of at least 3 felonies under the laws of this State or any other state, or under federal law, or the criminal laws of any United States territory; and at least one of these convictions took place within 5 years of the filing of the petition or motion seeking termination of parental rights.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is depraved if that parent has been criminally convicted of either first or second degree murder of any person as defined in the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 within 10 years of the filing date of the petition or motion to terminate parental rights.

No conviction or finding of delinquency pursuant to Article 5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall be considered a criminal conviction for the purpose of applying any presumption under this item (i).

(j) Open and notorious adultery or fornication.

(j-1) (Blank).

(k) Habitual drunkenness or addiction to drugs, other than those prescribed by a physician, for at least one year immediately prior to the commencement of the unfitness proceeding.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is unfit under this subsection with respect to any child to which that parent gives birth where there is a confirmed test result that at birth the child's blood, urine, or meconium contained any amount of a controlled substance as defined in subsection (f) of Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or metabolites of such substances, the presence of which in the newborn infant was not the result of medical treatment administered to the mother or the newborn infant; and the biological mother of this child is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated a neglected minor under subsection (c) of Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(l) Failure to demonstrate a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of a new born child during the first 30 days after its birth.

(m) Failure by a parent (i) to make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions that were the basis for the removal of the child from the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of neglected or abused minor under Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or dependent minor under Section 2-4 of that Act, or (ii) to make reasonable progress toward the return of the child to the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of neglected or abused minor under Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or dependent minor under Section 2-4 of that Act. If a service plan has been established as required under Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to correct the conditions that were the basis for the removal of the child from the parent and if those services were available, then, for purposes of this Act, "failure to make reasonable progress toward the return of the child to the parent" includes the parent's failure to substantially fulfill his or her obligations under the service plan and correct the conditions that brought the child into care during any 9-month period following the adjudication under Section 2-3 or 2-4 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Notwithstanding any other provision, when a petition or motion seeks to terminate parental rights on the basis of item (ii) of this subsection (m), the petitioner shall file with the court and serve on the parties a pleading that specifies the 9-month period or periods relied on. The pleading shall be filed and served on the parties no later than 3 weeks before the date set by the court for closure of discovery, and the allegations in the pleading shall be treated as incorporated into the petition or motion. Failure of a respondent to file a written denial of the allegations in the pleading shall not be treated as an admission that the allegations are true.

(m-1) Pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, a child has been in foster care for 15 months out of any 22 month period which begins on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998 unless the child's parent can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that it is more likely than not that it will be in the best interests of the child to be returned to the parent within 6 months of the date on which a petition for termination of parental rights is filed under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The 15 month time limit is tolled during any period for which there is a court finding that the appointed custodian or guardian failed to make reasonable efforts to reunify the child with his or her family, provided that (i) the finding of no reasonable efforts is made within 60 days of the period when reasonable efforts were not made or (ii) the parent filed a motion requesting a finding of no reasonable efforts within 60 days of the period when reasonable efforts were not made. For purposes of this subdivision (m-1), the date of entering foster care is the earlier of: (i) the date of a judicial finding at an adjudicatory hearing that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent minor; or (ii) 60 days after the date on which the child is removed from his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

(n) Evidence of intent to forgo his or her parental rights, whether or not the child is a ward of the court, (1) as manifested by his or her failure for a period of 12 months: (i) to visit the child, (ii) to communicate with the child or agency, although able to do so and not prevented from doing so by an agency or by court order, or (iii) to maintain contact with or plan for the future of the child, although physically able to do so, or (2) as manifested by the father's failure, where he and the mother of the child were unmarried to each other at the time of the child's birth, (i) to commence legal proceedings to establish his paternity under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or the law of the jurisdiction of the child's birth within 30 days of being informed, pursuant to Section 12a of this Act, that he is the father or the likely father of the child or, after being so informed where the child is not yet born, within 30 days of the child's birth, or (ii) to make a good faith effort to pay a reasonable amount of the expenses related to the birth of the child and to provide a reasonable amount for the financial support of the child, the court to consider in its determination all relevant circumstances, including the financial condition of both parents; provided that the ground for termination provided in this subparagraph (n)(2)(ii) shall only be available where the petition is brought by the mother or the husband of the mother.

Contact or communication by a parent with his or her child that does not demonstrate affection and concern does not constitute reasonable contact and planning under subdivision (n). In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the ability to visit, communicate, maintain contact, pay expenses and plan for the future shall be presumed. The subjective intent of the parent, whether expressed or otherwise, unsupported by evidence of the foregoing parental acts manifesting that intent, shall not preclude a determination that the parent has intended to forgo his or her parental rights. In making this determination, the court may consider but shall not require a showing of diligent efforts by an authorized agency to encourage the parent to perform the acts specified in subdivision (n).

It shall be an affirmative defense to any allegation under paragraph (2) of this subsection that the father's failure was due to circumstances beyond his control or to impediments created by the mother or any other person having legal custody. Proof of that fact need only be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(o) Repeated or continuous failure by the parents, although physically and financially able, to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, or shelter.

(p) Inability to discharge parental responsibilities supported by competent evidence from a psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist of mental impairment, mental illness or an intellectual disability as defined in Section 1-116 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, or developmental disability as defined in Section 1-106 of that Code, and there is sufficient justification to believe that the inability to discharge parental responsibilities shall extend beyond a reasonable time period. However, this subdivision (p) shall not be construed so as to permit a licensed clinical social worker to conduct any medical diagnosis to determine mental illness or mental impairment.

(q) (Blank).

(r) The child is in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the parent is incarcerated as a result of criminal conviction at the time the petition or motion for termination of parental rights is filed, prior to incarceration the parent had little or no contact with the child or provided little or no support for the child, and the parent's incarceration will prevent the parent from discharging his or her parental responsibilities for the child for a period in excess of 2 years after the filing of the petition or motion for termination of parental rights.

(s) The child is in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the parent is incarcerated at the time the petition or motion for termination of parental rights is filed, the parent has been repeatedly incarcerated as a result of criminal convictions, and the parent's repeated incarceration has prevented the parent from discharging his or her parental responsibilities for the child.

(t) A finding that at birth the child's blood, urine, or meconium contained any amount of a controlled substance as defined in subsection (f) of Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or a metabolite of a controlled substance, with the exception of controlled substances or metabolites of such substances, the presence of which in the newborn infant was the result of medical treatment administered to the mother or the newborn infant, and that the biological mother of this child is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated a neglected minor under subsection (c) of Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, after which the biological mother had the opportunity to enroll in and participate in a clinically appropriate substance abuse counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation program.

E. "Parent" means a person who is the legal mother or legal father of the child as defined in subsection X or Y of this Section. For the purpose of this Act, a parent who has executed a consent to adoption, a surrender, or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act, who has signed a Denial of Paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or Section 12a of this Act, or whose parental rights have been terminated by a court, is not a parent of the child who was the subject of the consent, surrender, waiver, or denial unless (1) the consent is void pursuant to subsection O of Section 10 of this Act; or (2) the person executed a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons pursuant to subsection A-1 of Section 10 of this Act and a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the consent is void; or (3) the order terminating the parental rights of the person is vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

F. A person is available for adoption when the person is:

(a) a child who has been surrendered for adoption to an agency and to whose adoption the agency has thereafter consented;

(b) a child to whose adoption a person authorized by law, other than his parents, has consented, or to whose adoption no consent is required pursuant to Section 8 of this Act;

(c) a child who is in the custody of persons who intend to adopt him through placement made by his parents;

(c-1) a child for whom a parent has signed a specific consent pursuant to subsection O of Section 10;

(d) an adult who meets the conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Act; or

(e) a child who has been relinquished as defined in Section 10 of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act.

A person who would otherwise be available for adoption shall not be deemed unavailable for adoption solely by reason of his or her death.

G. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular and the "male" includes the "female", as the context of this Act may require.

H. "Adoption disruption" occurs when an adoptive placement does not prove successful and it becomes necessary for the child to be removed from placement before the adoption is finalized.

I. "Habitual residence" has the meaning ascribed to it in the federal Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 and regulations promulgated thereunder.

J. "Immediate relatives" means the biological parents, the parents of the biological parents and siblings of the biological parents.

K. "Intercountry adoption" is a process by which a child from a country other than the United States is adopted by persons who are habitual residents of the United States, or the child is a habitual resident of the United States who is adopted by persons who are habitual residents of a country other than the United States.

L. "Intercountry Adoption Coordinator" means a staff person of the Department of Children and Family Services appointed by the Director to coordinate the provision of services related to an intercountry adoption.

M. "Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children" is a law enacted by all states and certain territories for the purpose of establishing uniform procedures for handling the interstate placement of children in foster homes, adoptive homes, or other child care facilities.

N. (Blank).

O. "Preadoption requirements" means any conditions or standards established by the laws or administrative rules of this State that must be met by a prospective adoptive parent prior to the placement of a child in an adoptive home.

P. "Abused child" means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent:

(a) inflicts, causes to be inflicted, or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical injury, by other than accidental means, that causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(b) creates a substantial risk of physical injury to the child by other than accidental means which would be likely to cause death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(c) commits or allows to be committed any sex offense against the child, as sex offenses are defined in the Criminal Code of 2012 and extending those definitions of sex offenses to include children under 18 years of age;

(d) commits or allows to be committed an act or acts of torture upon the child; or

(e) inflicts excessive corporal punishment.

Q. "Neglected child" means any child whose parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare withholds or denies nourishment or medically indicated treatment including food or care denied solely on the basis of the present or anticipated mental or physical impairment as determined by a physician acting alone or in consultation with other physicians or otherwise does not provide the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, or medical or other remedial care recognized under State law as necessary for a child's well-being, or other care necessary for his or her well-being, including adequate food, clothing and shelter; or who is abandoned by his or her parents or other person responsible for the child's welfare.

A child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that the child's parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare depends upon spiritual means through prayer alone for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care as provided under Section 4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. A child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that the child's parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare failed to vaccinate, delayed vaccination, or refused vaccination for the child due to a waiver on religious or medical grounds as permitted by law.

R. "Putative father" means a man who may be a child's father, but who (1) is not married to the child's mother on or before the date that the child was or is to be born and (2) has not established paternity of the child in a court proceeding before the filing of a petition for the adoption of the child. The term includes a male who is less than 18 years of age. "Putative father" does not mean a man who is the child's father as a result of criminal sexual abuse or assault as defined under Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

S. "Standby adoption" means an adoption in which a parent consents to custody and termination of parental rights to become effective upon the occurrence of a future event, which is either the death of the parent or the request of the parent for the entry of a final judgment of adoption.

T. (Blank).

T-5. "Biological parent", "birth parent", or "natural parent" of a child are interchangeable terms that mean a person who is biologically or genetically related to that child as a parent.

U. "Interstate adoption" means the placement of a minor child with a prospective adoptive parent for the purpose of pursuing an adoption for that child that is subject to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children.

V. "Endorsement letter" means the letter issued by the Department of Children and Family Services to document that a prospective adoptive parent has met preadoption requirements and has been deemed suitable by the Department to adopt a child who is the subject of an intercountry adoption.

W. "Denial letter" means the letter issued by the Department of Children and Family Services to document that a prospective adoptive parent has not met preadoption requirements and has not been deemed suitable by the Department to adopt a child who is the subject of an intercountry adoption.

X. "Legal father" of a child means a man who is recognized as or presumed to be that child's father:

(1) because of his marriage to or civil union with the child's parent at the time of the child's birth or within 300 days prior to that child's birth, unless he signed a denial of paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act; or

(2) because his paternity of the child has been established pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(3) because he is listed as the child's father or parent on the child's birth certificate, unless he is otherwise determined by an administrative or judicial proceeding not to be the parent of the child or unless he rescinds his acknowledgment of paternity pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984; or

(4) because his paternity or adoption of the child has been established by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The definition in this subsection X shall not be construed to provide greater or lesser rights as to the number of parents who can be named on a final judgment order of adoption or Illinois birth certificate that otherwise exist under Illinois law.

Y. "Legal mother" of a child means a woman who is recognized as or presumed to be that child's mother:

(1) because she gave birth to the child except as provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(2) because her maternity of the child has been established pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(3) because her maternity or adoption of the child has been established by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(4) because of her marriage to or civil union with the child's other parent at the time of the child's birth or within 300 days prior to the time of birth; or

(5) because she is listed as the child's mother or parent on the child's birth certificate unless she is otherwise determined by an administrative or judicial proceeding not to be the parent of the child.

The definition in this subsection Y shall not be construed to provide greater or lesser rights as to the number of parents who can be named on a final judgment order of adoption or Illinois birth certificate that otherwise exist under Illinois law.

(Source: P.A. 97-227, eff. 1-1-12; 97-1109, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-455, eff. 1-1-14; 98-532, eff. 1-1-14; 98-804, eff. 1-1-15.)

(750 ILCS 50/8) (from Ch. 40, par. 1510)

Sec. 8. Consents to adoption and surrenders for purposes of adoption.

(a) Except as hereinafter provided in this Section consents or surrenders shall be required in all cases, unless the person whose consent or surrender would otherwise be required shall be found by the court:

(1) to be an unfit person as defined in Section 1 of this Act, by clear and convincing evidence; or

(2) not to be the biological or adoptive father of the child; or

(3) to have waived his parental rights to the child under Section 12a or 12.1 or subsection S of Section 10 of this Act; or

(4) to be the parent of an adult sought to be adopted; or

(5) to be the father of the child as a result of criminal sexual abuse or assault as defined under Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012; or

(6) to be the father of a child who:

(i) is a family member of the mother of the child, and the mother is under the age of 18 at the time of the child's conception; for purposes of this subsection, a "family member" is a parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, sibling, or cousin of the first degree, whether by whole blood, half-blood, or adoption, as well as a person age 18 or over at the time of the child's conception who has resided in the household with the mother continuously for at least one year; or

(ii) is at least 5 years older than the child's mother, and the mother was under the age of 17 at the time of the child's conception, unless the mother and father voluntarily acknowledge the father's paternity of the child by marrying or by establishing the father's paternity by consent of the parties pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984 or pursuant to a substantially similar statute in another state.

A criminal conviction of any offense pursuant to Section 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-1.50, 11-1.60, 11-1.70, 12C-5, 12C-10, 12C-35, 12C-40, 12C-45, 18-6, 19-6, or Article 12 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 is not required.

(b) Where consents are required in the case of an adoption of a minor child, the consents of the following persons shall be sufficient:

(1) (A) The mother of the minor child; and

(B) The father of the minor child, if the father:

(i) was married to the mother on the date of birth of the child or within 300 days before the birth of the child, except for a husband or former husband who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be the biological father of the child; or

(ii) is the father of the child under a judgment for adoption, an order of parentage, or an acknowledgment of parentage or paternity pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 5 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or pursuant to Article 3 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015; or

(iii) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents less than 6 months after birth, openly lived with the child, the child's biological mother, or both, and held himself out to be the child's biological father during the first 30 days following the birth of the child; or

(iv) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents less than 6 months after birth, made a good faith effort to pay a reasonable amount of the expenses related to the birth of the child and to provide a reasonable amount for the financial support of the child before the expiration of 30 days following the birth of the child, provided that the court may consider in its determination all relevant circumstances, including the financial condition of both biological parents; or

(v) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents more than 6 months after birth, has maintained substantial and continuous or repeated contact with the child as manifested by: (I) the payment by the father toward the support of the child of a fair and reasonable sum, according to the father's means, and either (II) the father's visiting the child at least monthly when physically and financially able to do so and not prevented from doing so by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the child, or (III) the father's regular communication with the child or with the person or agency having the care or custody of the child, when physically and financially unable to visit the child or prevented from doing so by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the child. The subjective intent of the father, whether expressed or otherwise unsupported by evidence of acts specified in this sub-paragraph as manifesting such intent, shall not preclude a determination that the father failed to maintain substantial and continuous or repeated contact with the child; or

(vi) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents more than six months after birth, openly lived with the child for a period of six months within the one year period immediately preceding the placement of the child for adoption and openly held himself out to be the father of the child; or

(vii) has timely registered with Putative Father Registry, as provided in Section 12.1 of this Act, and prior to the expiration of 30 days from the date of such registration, commenced legal proceedings to establish paternity under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or under the law of the jurisdiction of the child's birth; or

(2) The legal guardian of the person of the child, if there is no surviving parent; or

(3) An agency, if the child has been surrendered for adoption to such agency; or

(4) Any person or agency having legal custody of a child by court order if the parental rights of the parents have been judicially terminated, and the court having jurisdiction of the guardianship of the child has authorized the consent to the adoption; or

(5) The execution and verification of the petition by any petitioner who is also a parent of the child sought to be adopted shall be sufficient evidence of such parent's consent to the adoption.

(c) Where surrenders to an agency are required in the case of a placement for adoption of a minor child by an agency, the surrenders of the following persons shall be sufficient:

(1) (A) The mother of the minor child; and

(B) The father of the minor child, if the father:

(i) was married to the mother on the date of birth of the child or within 300 days before the birth of the child, except for a husband or former husband who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be the biological father of the child; or

(ii) is the father of the child under a judgment for adoption, an order of parentage, or an acknowledgment of parentage or paternity pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 5 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or pursuant to Article 3 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015; or

(iii) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents less than 6 months after birth, openly lived with the child, the child's biological mother, or both, and held himself out to be the child's biological father during the first 30 days following the birth of a child; or

(iv) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents less than 6 months after birth, made a good faith effort to pay a reasonable amount of the expenses related to the birth of the child and to provide a reasonable amount for the financial support of the child before the expiration of 30 days following the birth of the child, provided that the court may consider in its determination all relevant circumstances, including the financial condition of both biological parents; or

(v) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents more than six months after birth, has maintained substantial and continuous or repeated contact with the child as manifested by: (I) the payment by the father toward the support of the child of a fair and reasonable sum, according to the father's means, and either (II) the father's visiting the child at least monthly when physically and financially able to do so and not prevented from doing so by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the child or (III) the father's regular communication with the child or with the person or agency having the care or custody of the child, when physically and financially unable to visit the child or prevented from doing so by the person or authorized agency having lawful custody of the child. The subjective intent of the father, whether expressed or otherwise, unsupported by evidence of acts specified in this sub-paragraph as manifesting such intent, shall not preclude a determination that the father failed to maintain substantial and continuous or repeated contact with the child; or

(vi) in the case of a child placed with the adopting parents more than six months after birth, openly lived with the child for a period of six months within the one year period immediately preceding the placement of the child for adoption and openly held himself out to be the father of the child; or

(vii) has timely registered with the Putative Father Registry, as provided in Section 12.1 of this Act, and prior to the expiration of 30 days from the date of such registration, commenced legal proceedings to establish paternity under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, or under the law of the jurisdiction of the child's birth.

(d) In making a determination under subparagraphs (b)(1) and (c)(1), no showing shall be required of diligent efforts by a person or agency to encourage the father to perform the acts specified therein.

(e) In the case of the adoption of an adult, only the consent of such adult shall be required.

(Source: P.A. 97-493, eff. 8-22-11; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(750 ILCS 50/12a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1515)

Sec. 12a. Notice to putative father.

1. Upon the written request to any Clerk of any Circuit Court, and upon the payment of a filing fee of $10.00, by any interested party, including persons intending to adopt a child, a child welfare agency with whom the mother has placed or has given written notice of her intention to place a child for adoption, the mother of a child, or any attorney representing an interested party, a notice, the declaration of paternity and the disclaimer of paternity may be served on a putative father in the same manner as Summons is served in other civil proceedings, or, in lieu of personal service, service may be made as follows:

(a) The person requesting notice shall pay to the Clerk of the Court a mailing fee of $2 plus the cost of U. S. postage for certified or registered mail and furnish to the Clerk an original and one copy of a notice, the declaration of paternity and the disclaimer of paternity together with an Affidavit setting forth the putative father's last known address. The original notice, the declaration of paternity and the disclaimer of paternity shall be retained by the Clerk.

(b) The Clerk shall forthwith mail to the putative father, at the address appearing in the Affidavit, the copy of the notice, the declaration of paternity and the disclaimer of paternity, by certified mail, return receipt requested; the envelope and return receipt shall bear the return address of the Clerk. The receipt for certified mail shall state the name and address of the addressee, and the date of mailing, and shall be attached to the original notice.

(c) The return receipt, when returned to the Clerk, shall be attached to the original notice, the declaration of paternity and the disclaimer of paternity, and shall constitute proof of service.

(d) The Clerk shall note the fact of service in a permanent record.

2. The notice shall be signed by the Clerk, and may be served on the putative father at any time after conception, and shall read as follows:

"IN THE MATTER OF NOTICE TO ....., PUTATIVE FATHER.

You have been identified as the father of a child born or expected to be born on or about (insert date).

The mother of the child is.....

The mother has indicated that she intends to place the child for adoption.

As the alleged father of the child, you have certain legal rights with respect to the child, including the right to notice of the filing of proceedings instituted for the adoption of the child. If you wish to retain your rights with respect to the child, you must file with the Clerk of this Circuit Court of .... County, Illinois, whose address is ...., Illinois, within 30 days after the date of receipt of this notice, the declaration of paternity enclosed herewith stating that you are, in fact, the father of the child and that you intend to retain your legal rights with respect to the child, or request to be notified of any further proceedings with respect to custody or adoption of the child.

If you do not file such a declaration of paternity, or a request for notice, then whatever legal rights you have with respect to the child, including the right to notice of any future proceedings for the adoption of the child, may be terminated without any further notice to you. When your legal rights with respect to the child are so terminated, you will not be entitled to notice of any proceeding instituted for the adoption of the child.

If you are not the father of the child, you may file with the Clerk of this Court the disclaimer of paternity enclosed herewith which will be noted in the Clerk's file and you will receive no further notice with respect to the child."

The declaration of paternity shall be substantially as follows:

"IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

.......... JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, ILLINOIS

.......... County

)

)

) No. )

)

DECLARATION OF PATERNITY WITH ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

I, ........., state as follows:

(1) That I am ......... years of age; and I reside at ......... in the County of ........., State of .........

(2) That I have been advised that ........ is the mother of a ...male child with the initials named ........ born or expected to be born on or about ......... and that such mother has stated that I am the father of this child.

(3) I declare that I am the father of this child.

(4) I understand that the mother of this child wishes to consent to the adoption of this child. I do not consent to the adoption of this child, and I understand that I must return this initial declaration of parentage form to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of ....... County, located at ........., within 30 days of receipt of this notice.

(5) I further understand that I am also obligated to establish my paternity pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984 within 30 days of my receiving this notice or, if the child is not yet born, within 30 days after the birth of the child. This proceeding is separate and distinct from the above mailing of initial declaration of paternity; in this second notice, I must state that I am, in fact, the father of said child, and that I intend to retain my legal rights with respect to said child, and request to be notified of any further proceedings with respect to custody or adoption of the child.

(6) I hereby enter my appearance in the above entitled cause.

OATH

I have been duly sworn and I say under oath that I have read and understand this Declaration of Paternity With Entry of Appearance. The facts that it contains are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and I understand that by signing this document I admit my paternity. I have signed this document as my free and voluntary act.

...........

(signature)

Dated (insert date).

Signed and sworn before me on (insert date).

................

(notary public)".

The disclaimer of paternity shall be substantially as follows:

"IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

.......... JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, ILLINOIS

.......... County

)

)

) No. )

)

DENIAL OF PATERNITY WITH ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

AND CONSENT TO ADOPTION

I, .........., state as follows:

(1) That I am ..... years of age; and I reside at .......... in the County of .........., State of ...........

(2) That I have been advised that .......... is the mother of a .....male child with the initials named ..... born or expected to be born on or about ..... and that such mother has stated that I am the father of this child.

(3) I deny that I am the father of this child.

(4) I further understand that the mother of this child wishes to consent to the adoption of the child. I hereby consent to the adoption of this child, and waive any rights, remedies and defenses that I may now or in the future have as a result of the mother's allegation of the paternity of this child. This consent is being given in order to facilitate the adoption of the child and so that the court may terminate what rights I may have to the child as a result of being named the father by the mother. This consent is not in any manner an admission of paternity.

(5) I hereby enter my appearance in the above entitled cause and waive service of summons and other pleading.

OATH

I have been duly sworn and I say under oath that I have read and understood this Denial of Paternity With Entry of Appearance and Consent to Adoption. The facts it contains are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and I understand that by signing this document I have not admitted paternity. I have signed this document as my free and voluntary act in order to facilitate the adoption of the child.

...........

(signature)

Dated (insert date).

Signed and sworn before me on (insert date).

.................

(notary public)".

The names of adoptive parents shall not be included in the notice.

3. If the putative father files a disclaimer of paternity, he shall be deemed not to be the father of the child with respect to any adoption or other proceeding held to terminate the rights of parents as respects such child.

4. In the event the putative father does not file a declaration of paternity of the child or request for notice within 30 days of service of the above notice, he need not be made a party to or given notice of any proceeding brought for the adoption of the child. An Order or judgment may be entered in such proceeding terminating all of his rights with respect to the child without further notice to him.

5. If the putative father files a declaration of paternity or a request for notice in accordance with subsection 2, with respect to the child, he shall be given notice in event any proceeding is brought for the adoption of the child.

6. The Clerk shall maintain separate numbered files and records of requests and proofs of service and all other documents filed pursuant to this article. All such records shall be impounded.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(750 ILCS 50/18.06)

Sec. 18.06. Definitions. When used in Sections 18.05 through Section 18.6, for the purposes of the Registry:

"Adopted person" means a person who was adopted pursuant to the laws in effect at the time of the adoption.

"Adoptive parent" means a person who has become a parent through the legal process of adoption.

"Adult child" means the biological child 21 years of age or over of a deceased adopted or surrendered person.

"Adult grandchild" means the biological grandchild 21 years of age or over of a deceased adopted or surrendered person.

"Adult adopted or surrendered person" means an adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over.

"Agency" means a public child welfare agency or a licensed child welfare agency.

"Birth aunt" means the adult full or half sister of a deceased birth parent.

"Birth father" means the biological father of an adopted or surrendered person who is named on the original certificate of live birth or on a consent or surrender document, or a biological father whose paternity has been established by a judgment or order of the court, pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

"Birth mother" means the biological mother of an adopted or surrendered person.

"Birth parent" means a birth mother or birth father of an adopted or surrendered person.

"Birth Parent Preference Form" means the form prepared by the Department of Public Health pursuant to Section 18.2 completed by a birth parent registrant and filed with the Registry that indicates the birth parent's preferences regarding contact and, if applicable, the release of his or her identifying information on the non-certified copy of the original birth certificate released to an adult adopted or surrendered person or to the surviving adult child or surviving spouse of a deceased adopted or surrendered person who has filed a Request for a Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate.

"Birth relative" means a birth mother, birth father, birth sibling, birth aunt, or birth uncle.

"Birth sibling" means the adult full or half sibling of an adopted or surrendered person.

"Birth uncle" means the adult full or half brother of a deceased birth parent.

"Confidential intermediary" means an individual certified by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to Section 18.3a(e).

"Denial of Information Exchange" means an affidavit completed by a registrant with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange denying the release of identifying information which has been filed with the Registry.

"Information Exchange Authorization" means an affidavit completed by a registrant with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange authorizing the release of identifying information which has been filed with the Registry.

"Medical Information Exchange Questionnaire" means the medical history questionnaire completed by a registrant of the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

"Non-certified Copy of the Original Birth Certificate" means a non-certified copy of the original certificate of live birth of an adult adopted or surrendered person who was born in Illinois.

"Proof of death" means a death certificate.

"Registrant" or "Registered Party" means a birth parent, birth sibling, birth aunt, birth uncle, adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over, adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21, or adoptive parent, surviving spouse, or adult child of a deceased adopted or surrendered person who has filed an Illinois Adoption Registry Application or Registration Identification Form with the Registry.

"Registry" means the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

"Request for a Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate" means an affidavit completed by an adult adopted or surrendered person or by the surviving adult child or surviving spouse of a deceased adopted or surrendered person and filed with the Registry requesting a non-certified copy of an adult adopted or surrendered person's original certificate of live birth in Illinois.

"Surrendered person" means a person whose parents' rights have been surrendered or terminated but who has not been adopted.

"Surviving spouse" means the wife or husband, 21 years of age or older, of a deceased adopted or surrendered person who would be 21 years of age or older if still alive and who has one or more surviving biological children who are under the age of 21.

"18.3 statement" means a statement regarding the disclosure of identifying information signed by a birth parent under Section 18.3 of this Act as it existed immediately prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 97-110, eff. 7-14-11; 98-704, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 973. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 is amended by changing Sections 202 and 214 as follows:

(750 ILCS 60/202) (from Ch. 40, par. 2312-2)

Sec. 202. Commencement of action; filing fees; dismissal.

(a) How to commence action. Actions for orders of protection are commenced:

(1) Independently: By filing a petition for an order of protection in any civil court, unless specific courts are designated by local rule or order.

(2) In conjunction with another civil proceeding: By filing a petition for an order of protection under the same case number as another civil proceeding involving the parties, including but not limited to: (i) any proceeding under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, Nonsupport of Spouse and Children Act, Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act or an action for nonsupport brought under Article 10 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, provided that a petitioner and the respondent are a party to or the subject of that proceeding or (ii) a guardianship proceeding under the Probate Act of 1975, or a proceeding for involuntary commitment under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, or any proceeding, other than a delinquency petition, under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, provided that a petitioner or the respondent is a party to or the subject of such proceeding.

(3) In conjunction with a delinquency petition or a criminal prosecution: By filing a petition for an order of protection, under the same case number as the delinquency petition or criminal prosecution, to be granted during pre-trial release of a defendant, with any dispositional order issued under Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or as a condition of release, supervision, conditional discharge, probation, periodic imprisonment, parole, aftercare release, or mandatory supervised release, or in conjunction with imprisonment or a bond forfeiture warrant; provided that:

(i) the violation is alleged in an information, complaint, indictment or delinquency petition on file, and the alleged offender and victim are family or household members or persons protected by this Act; and

(ii) the petition, which is filed by the State's Attorney, names a victim of the alleged crime as a petitioner.

(b) Filing, certification, and service fees. No fee shall be charged by the clerk for filing, amending, vacating, certifying, or photocopying petitions or orders; or for issuing alias summons; or for any related filing service. No fee shall be charged by the sheriff for service by the sheriff of a petition, rule, motion, or order in an action commenced under this Section.

(c) Dismissal and consolidation. Withdrawal or dismissal of any petition for an order of protection prior to adjudication where the petitioner is represented by the State shall operate as a dismissal without prejudice. No action for an order of protection shall be dismissed because the respondent is being prosecuted for a crime against the petitioner. An independent action may be consolidated with another civil proceeding, as provided by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Section. For any action commenced under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a) of this Section, dismissal of the conjoined case (or a finding of not guilty) shall not require dismissal of the action for the order of protection; instead, it may be treated as an independent action and, if necessary and appropriate, transferred to a different court or division. Dismissal of any conjoined case shall not affect the validity of any previously issued order of protection, and thereafter subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) of Section 220 shall be inapplicable to such order.

(d) Pro se petitions. The court shall provide, through the office of the clerk of the court, simplified forms and clerical assistance to help with the writing and filing of a petition under this Section by any person not represented by counsel. In addition, that assistance may be provided by the state's attorney.

(Source: P.A. 98-558, eff. 1-1-14.)

(750 ILCS 60/214) (from Ch. 40, par. 2312-14)

Sec. 214. Order of protection; remedies.

(a) Issuance of order. If the court finds that petitioner has been abused by a family or household member or that petitioner is a high-risk adult who has been abused, neglected, or exploited, as defined in this Act, an order of protection prohibiting the abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall issue; provided that petitioner must also satisfy the requirements of one of the following Sections, as appropriate: Section 217 on emergency orders, Section 218 on interim orders, or Section 219 on plenary orders. Petitioner shall not be denied an order of protection because petitioner or respondent is a minor. The court, when determining whether or not to issue an order of protection, shall not require physical manifestations of abuse on the person of the victim. Modification and extension of prior orders of protection shall be in accordance with this Act.

(b) Remedies and standards. The remedies to be included in an order of protection shall be determined in accordance with this Section and one of the following Sections, as appropriate: Section 217 on emergency orders, Section 218 on interim orders, and Section 219 on plenary orders. The remedies listed in this subsection shall be in addition to other civil or criminal remedies available to petitioner.

(1) Prohibition of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Prohibit respondent's harassment, interference with personal liberty, intimidation of a dependent, physical abuse, or willful deprivation, neglect or exploitation, as defined in this Act, or stalking of the petitioner, as defined in Section 12-7.3 of the Criminal Code of 2012, if such abuse, neglect, exploitation, or stalking has occurred or otherwise appears likely to occur if not prohibited.

(2) Grant of exclusive possession of residence. Prohibit respondent from entering or remaining in any residence, household, or premises of the petitioner, including one owned or leased by respondent, if petitioner has a right to occupancy thereof. The grant of exclusive possession of the residence, household, or premises shall not affect title to real property, nor shall the court be limited by the standard set forth in Section 701 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

(A) Right to occupancy. A party has a right to occupancy of a residence or household if it is solely or jointly owned or leased by that party, that party's spouse, a person with a legal duty to support that party or a minor child in that party's care, or by any person or entity other than the opposing party that authorizes that party's occupancy (e.g., a domestic violence shelter). Standards set forth in subparagraph (B) shall not preclude equitable relief.

(B) Presumption of hardships. If petitioner and respondent each has the right to occupancy of a residence or household, the court shall balance (i) the hardships to respondent and any minor child or dependent adult in respondent's care resulting from entry of this remedy with (ii) the hardships to petitioner and any minor child or dependent adult in petitioner's care resulting from continued exposure to the risk of abuse (should petitioner remain at the residence or household) or from loss of possession of the residence or household (should petitioner leave to avoid the risk of abuse). When determining the balance of hardships, the court shall also take into account the accessibility of the residence or household. Hardships need not be balanced if respondent does not have a right to occupancy.

The balance of hardships is presumed to favor possession by petitioner unless the presumption is rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, showing that the hardships to respondent substantially outweigh the hardships to petitioner and any minor child or dependent adult in petitioner's care. The court, on the request of petitioner or on its own motion, may order respondent to provide suitable, accessible, alternate housing for petitioner instead of excluding respondent from a mutual residence or household.

(3) Stay away order and additional prohibitions. Order respondent to stay away from petitioner or any other person protected by the order of protection, or prohibit respondent from entering or remaining present at petitioner's school, place of employment, or other specified places at times when petitioner is present, or both, if reasonable, given the balance of hardships. Hardships need not be balanced for the court to enter a stay away order or prohibit entry if respondent has no right to enter the premises.

(A) If an order of protection grants petitioner exclusive possession of the residence, or prohibits respondent from entering the residence, or orders respondent to stay away from petitioner or other protected persons, then the court may allow respondent access to the residence to remove items of clothing and personal adornment used exclusively by respondent, medications, and other items as the court directs. The right to access shall be exercised on only one occasion as the court directs and in the presence of an agreed-upon adult third party or law enforcement officer.

(B) When the petitioner and the respondent attend the same public, private, or non-public elementary, middle, or high school, the court when issuing an order of protection and providing relief shall consider the severity of the act, any continuing physical danger or emotional distress to the petitioner, the educational rights guaranteed to the petitioner and respondent under federal and State law, the availability of a transfer of the respondent to another school, a change of placement or a change of program of the respondent, the expense, difficulty, and educational disruption that would be caused by a transfer of the respondent to another school, and any other relevant facts of the case. The court may order that the respondent not attend the public, private, or non-public elementary, middle, or high school attended by the petitioner, order that the respondent accept a change of placement or change of program, as determined by the school district or private or non-public school, or place restrictions on the respondent's movements within the school attended by the petitioner. The respondent bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that a transfer, change of placement, or change of program of the respondent is not available. The respondent also bears the burden of production with respect to the expense, difficulty, and educational disruption that would be caused by a transfer of the respondent to another school. A transfer, change of placement, or change of program is not unavailable to the respondent solely on the ground that the respondent does not agree with the school district's or private or non-public school's transfer, change of placement, or change of program or solely on the ground that the respondent fails or refuses to consent or otherwise does not take an action required to effectuate a transfer, change of placement, or change of program. When a court orders a respondent to stay away from the public, private, or non-public school attended by the petitioner and the respondent requests a transfer to another attendance center within the respondent's school district or private or non-public school, the school district or private or non-public school shall have sole discretion to determine the attendance center to which the respondent is transferred. In the event the court order results in a transfer of the minor respondent to another attendance center, a change in the respondent's placement, or a change of the respondent's program, the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the respondent is responsible for transportation and other costs associated with the transfer or change.

(C) The court may order the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of a minor respondent to take certain actions or to refrain from taking certain actions to ensure that the respondent complies with the order. In the event the court orders a transfer of the respondent to another school, the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the respondent is responsible for transportation and other costs associated with the change of school by the respondent.

(4) Counseling. Require or recommend the respondent to undergo counseling for a specified duration with a social worker, psychologist, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, family service agency, alcohol or substance abuse program, mental health center guidance counselor, agency providing services to elders, program designed for domestic violence abusers or any other guidance service the court deems appropriate. The Court may order the respondent in any intimate partner relationship to report to an Illinois Department of Human Services protocol approved partner abuse intervention program for an assessment and to follow all recommended treatment.

(5) Physical care and possession of the minor child. In order to protect the minor child from abuse, neglect, or unwarranted separation from the person who has been the minor child's primary caretaker, or to otherwise protect the well-being of the minor child, the court may do either or both of the following: (i) grant petitioner physical care or possession of the minor child, or both, or (ii) order respondent to return a minor child to, or not remove a minor child from, the physical care of a parent or person in loco parentis.

If a court finds, after a hearing, that respondent has committed abuse (as defined in Section 103) of a minor child, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that awarding physical care to respondent would not be in the minor child's best interest.

(6) Temporary legal custody. Award temporary legal custody to petitioner in accordance with this Section, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 1984, and this State's Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.

If a court finds, after a hearing, that respondent has committed abuse (as defined in Section 103) of a minor child, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that awarding temporary legal custody to respondent would not be in the child's best interest.

(7) Visitation. Determine the visitation rights, if any, of respondent in any case in which the court awards physical care or temporary legal custody of a minor child to petitioner. The court shall restrict or deny respondent's visitation with a minor child if the court finds that respondent has done or is likely to do any of the following: (i) abuse or endanger the minor child during visitation; (ii) use the visitation as an opportunity to abuse or harass petitioner or petitioner's family or household members; (iii) improperly conceal or detain the minor child; or (iv) otherwise act in a manner that is not in the best interests of the minor child. The court shall not be limited by the standards set forth in Section 607.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. If the court grants visitation, the order shall specify dates and times for the visitation to take place or other specific parameters or conditions that are appropriate. No order for visitation shall refer merely to the term "reasonable visitation".

Petitioner may deny respondent access to the minor child if, when respondent arrives for visitation, respondent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and constitutes a threat to the safety and well-being of petitioner or petitioner's minor children or is behaving in a violent or abusive manner.

If necessary to protect any member of petitioner's family or household from future abuse, respondent shall be prohibited from coming to petitioner's residence to meet the minor child for visitation, and the parties shall submit to the court their recommendations for reasonable alternative arrangements for visitation. A person may be approved to supervise visitation only after filing an affidavit accepting that responsibility and acknowledging accountability to the court.

(8) Removal or concealment of minor child. Prohibit respondent from removing a minor child from the State or concealing the child within the State.

(9) Order to appear. Order the respondent to appear in court, alone or with a minor child, to prevent abuse, neglect, removal or concealment of the child, to return the child to the custody or care of the petitioner or to permit any court-ordered interview or examination of the child or the respondent.

(10) Possession of personal property. Grant petitioner exclusive possession of personal property and, if respondent has possession or control, direct respondent to promptly make it available to petitioner, if:

(i) petitioner, but not respondent, owns the property; or

(ii) the parties own the property jointly; sharing it would risk abuse of petitioner by respondent or is impracticable; and the balance of hardships favors temporary possession by petitioner.

If petitioner's sole claim to ownership of the property is that it is marital property, the court may award petitioner temporary possession thereof under the standards of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph only if a proper proceeding has been filed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended.

No order under this provision shall affect title to property.

(11) Protection of property. Forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, damaging or otherwise disposing of any real or personal property, except as explicitly authorized by the court, if:

(i) petitioner, but not respondent, owns the property; or

(ii) the parties own the property jointly, and the balance of hardships favors granting this remedy.

If petitioner's sole claim to ownership of the property is that it is marital property, the court may grant petitioner relief under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph only if a proper proceeding has been filed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended.

The court may further prohibit respondent from improperly using the financial or other resources of an aged member of the family or household for the profit or advantage of respondent or of any other person.

(11.5) Protection of animals. Grant the petitioner the exclusive care, custody, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner or the respondent or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either the petitioner or the respondent and order the respondent to stay away from the animal and forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal.

(12) Order for payment of support. Order respondent to pay temporary support for the petitioner or any child in the petitioner's care or custody, when the respondent has a legal obligation to support that person, in accordance with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which shall govern, among other matters, the amount of support, payment through the clerk and withholding of income to secure payment. An order for child support may be granted to a petitioner with lawful physical care or custody of a child, or an order or agreement for physical care or custody, prior to entry of an order for legal custody. Such a support order shall expire upon entry of a valid order granting legal custody to another, unless otherwise provided in the custody order.

(13) Order for payment of losses. Order respondent to pay petitioner for losses suffered as a direct result of the abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Such losses shall include, but not be limited to, medical expenses, lost earnings or other support, repair or replacement of property damaged or taken, reasonable attorney's fees, court costs and moving or other travel expenses, including additional reasonable expenses for temporary shelter and restaurant meals.

(i) Losses affecting family needs. If a party is entitled to seek maintenance, child support or property distribution from the other party under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, as now or hereafter amended, the court may order respondent to reimburse petitioner's actual losses, to the extent that such reimbursement would be "appropriate temporary relief", as authorized by subsection (a)(3) of Section 501 of that Act.

(ii) Recovery of expenses. In the case of an improper concealment or removal of a minor child, the court may order respondent to pay the reasonable expenses incurred or to be incurred in the search for and recovery of the minor child, including but not limited to legal fees, court costs, private investigator fees, and travel costs.

(14) Prohibition of entry. Prohibit the respondent from entering or remaining in the residence or household while the respondent is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and constitutes a threat to the safety and well-being of the petitioner or the petitioner's children.

(14.5) Prohibition of firearm possession.

(a) Prohibit a respondent against whom an order of protection was issued from possessing any firearms during the duration of the order if the order:

(1) was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to participate;

(2) restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child; and

(3)(i) includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such intimate partner or child; or (ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury.

Any Firearm Owner's Identification Card in the possession of the respondent, except as provided in subsection (b), shall be ordered by the court to be turned over to the local law enforcement agency. The local law enforcement agency shall immediately mail the card to the Department of State Police Firearm Owner's Identification Card Office for safekeeping. The court shall issue a warrant for seizure of any firearm in the possession of the respondent, to be kept by the local law enforcement agency for safekeeping, except as provided in subsection (b). The period of safekeeping shall be for the duration of the order of protection. The firearm or firearms and Firearm Owner's Identification Card, if unexpired, shall at the respondent's request, be returned to the respondent at the end of the order of protection. It is the respondent's responsibility to notify the Department of State Police Firearm Owner's Identification Card Office.

(b) If the respondent is a peace officer as defined in Section 2-13 of the Criminal Code of 2012, the court shall order that any firearms used by the respondent in the performance of his or her duties as a peace officer be surrendered to the chief law enforcement executive of the agency in which the respondent is employed, who shall retain the firearms for safekeeping for the duration of the order of protection.

(c) Upon expiration of the period of safekeeping, if the firearms or Firearm Owner's Identification Card cannot be returned to respondent because respondent cannot be located, fails to respond to requests to retrieve the firearms, or is not lawfully eligible to possess a firearm, upon petition from the local law enforcement agency, the court may order the local law enforcement agency to destroy the firearms, use the firearms for training purposes, or for any other application as deemed appropriate by the local law enforcement agency; or that the firearms be turned over to a third party who is lawfully eligible to possess firearms, and who does not reside with respondent.

(15) Prohibition of access to records. If an order of protection prohibits respondent from having contact with the minor child, or if petitioner's address is omitted under subsection (b) of Section 203, or if necessary to prevent abuse or wrongful removal or concealment of a minor child, the order shall deny respondent access to, and prohibit respondent from inspecting, obtaining, or attempting to inspect or obtain, school or any other records of the minor child who is in the care of petitioner.

(16) Order for payment of shelter services. Order respondent to reimburse a shelter providing temporary housing and counseling services to the petitioner for the cost of the services, as certified by the shelter and deemed reasonable by the court.

(17) Order for injunctive relief. Enter injunctive relief necessary or appropriate to prevent further abuse of a family or household member or further abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a high-risk adult with disabilities or to effectuate one of the granted remedies, if supported by the balance of hardships. If the harm to be prevented by the injunction is abuse or any other harm that one of the remedies listed in paragraphs (1) through (16) of this subsection is designed to prevent, no further evidence is necessary that the harm is an irreparable injury.

(c) Relevant factors; findings.

(1) In determining whether to grant a specific remedy, other than payment of support, the court shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

(i) the nature, frequency, severity, pattern and consequences of the respondent's past abuse, neglect or exploitation of the petitioner or any family or household member, including the concealment of his or her location in order to evade service of process or notice, and the likelihood of danger of future abuse, neglect, or exploitation to petitioner or any member of petitioner's or respondent's family or household; and

(ii) the danger that any minor child will be abused or neglected or improperly removed from the jurisdiction, improperly concealed within the State or improperly separated from the child's primary caretaker.

(2) In comparing relative hardships resulting to the parties from loss of possession of the family home, the court shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to the following:

(i) availability, accessibility, cost, safety, adequacy, location and other characteristics of alternate housing for each party and any minor child or dependent adult in the party's care;

(ii) the effect on the party's employment; and

(iii) the effect on the relationship of the party, and any minor child or dependent adult in the party's care, to family, school, church and community.

(3) Subject to the exceptions set forth in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the court shall make its findings in an official record or in writing, and shall at a minimum set forth the following:

(i) That the court has considered the applicable relevant factors described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.

(ii) Whether the conduct or actions of respondent, unless prohibited, will likely cause irreparable harm or continued abuse.

(iii) Whether it is necessary to grant the requested relief in order to protect petitioner or other alleged abused persons.

(4) For purposes of issuing an ex parte emergency order of protection, the court, as an alternative to or as a supplement to making the findings described in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (c)(3)(iii) of this subsection, may use the following procedure:

When a verified petition for an emergency order of protection in accordance with the requirements of Sections 203 and 217 is presented to the court, the court shall examine petitioner on oath or affirmation. An emergency order of protection shall be issued by the court if it appears from the contents of the petition and the examination of petitioner that the averments are sufficient to indicate abuse by respondent and to support the granting of relief under the issuance of the emergency order of protection.

(5) Never married parties. No rights or responsibilities for a minor child born outside of marriage attach to a putative father until a father and child relationship has been established under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, the Illinois Public Aid Code, Section 12 of the Vital Records Act, the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Probate Act of 1985, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the Expedited Child Support Act of 1990, any judicial, administrative, or other act of another state or territory, any other Illinois statute, or by any foreign nation establishing the father and child relationship, any other proceeding substantially in conformity with the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-193), or where both parties appeared in open court or at an administrative hearing acknowledging under oath or admitting by affirmation the existence of a father and child relationship. Absent such an adjudication, finding, or acknowledgement, no putative father shall be granted temporary custody of the minor child, visitation with the minor child, or physical care and possession of the minor child, nor shall an order of payment for support of the minor child be entered.

(d) Balance of hardships; findings. If the court finds that the balance of hardships does not support the granting of a remedy governed by paragraph (2), (3), (10), (11), or (16) of subsection (b) of this Section, which may require such balancing, the court's findings shall so indicate and shall include a finding as to whether granting the remedy will result in hardship to respondent that would substantially outweigh the hardship to petitioner from denial of the remedy. The findings shall be an official record or in writing.

(e) Denial of remedies. Denial of any remedy shall not be based, in whole or in part, on evidence that:

(1) Respondent has cause for any use of force, unless that cause satisfies the standards for justifiable use of force provided by Article 7 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(2) Respondent was voluntarily intoxicated;

(3) Petitioner acted in self-defense or defense of another, provided that, if petitioner utilized force, such force was justifiable under Article 7 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(4) Petitioner did not act in self-defense or defense of another;

(5) Petitioner left the residence or household to avoid further abuse, neglect, or exploitation by respondent;

(6) Petitioner did not leave the residence or household to avoid further abuse, neglect, or exploitation by respondent;

(7) Conduct by any family or household member excused the abuse, neglect, or exploitation by respondent, unless that same conduct would have excused such abuse, neglect, or exploitation if the parties had not been family or household members.

(Source: P.A. 96-701, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1239, eff. 1-1-11; 97-158, eff. 1-1-12; 97-294, eff. 1-1-12; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12; 97-1131, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

Section 974. The Business Corporation Act of 1983 is amended by changing Section 1.25 as follows:

(805 ILCS 5/1.25) (from Ch. 32, par. 1.25)

Sec. 1.25. List of corporations; exchange of information.

(a) The Secretary of State shall publish each year a list of corporations filing an annual report for the preceding year in accordance with the provisions of this Act, which report shall state the name of the corporation and the respective names and addresses of the president, secretary, and registered agent thereof and the address of the registered office in this State of each such corporation. The Secretary of State shall furnish without charge a copy of such report to each recorder of this State, and to each member of the General Assembly and to each State agency or department requesting the same. The Secretary of State shall, upon receipt of a written request and a fee as determined by the Secretary, furnish such report to anyone else.

(b) (1) The Secretary of State shall publish daily a list of all newly formed corporations, business and not for profit, chartered by him on that day issued after receipt of the application. The daily list shall contain the same information as to each corporation as is provided for the corporation list published under subsection (a) of this Section. The daily list may be obtained at the Secretary's office by any person, newspaper, State department or agency, or local government for a reasonable charge to be determined by the Secretary. Inspection of the daily list may be made at the Secretary's office during normal business hours without charge by any person, newspaper, State department or agency, or local government.

(2) The Secretary shall compile the daily list mentioned in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Section monthly, or more often at the Secretary's discretion. The compilation shall be immediately mailed free of charge to all local governments requesting in writing receipt of such publication, or shall be automatically mailed by the Secretary without charge to local governments as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall mail a copy of the compilations free of charge to all State departments or agencies making a written request. A request for a compilation of the daily list once made by a local government or State department or agency need not be renewed. However, the Secretary may request from time to time whether the local governments or State departments or agencies desire to continue receiving the compilation.

(3) The compilations of the daily list mentioned in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Section shall be mailed to newspapers, or any other person not included as a recipient in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Section, upon receipt of a written application signed by the applicant and accompanied by the payment of a fee as determined by the Secretary.

(c) If a domestic or foreign corporation has filed with the Secretary of State an annual report for the preceding year or has been newly formed or is otherwise and in any manner registered with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services any information concerning that corporation that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

Notwithstanding any provisions in this Act to the contrary, the Secretary of State shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this subsection or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 975. The Limited Liability Company Act is amended by changing Section 50-5 as follows:

(805 ILCS 180/50-5)

Sec. 50-5. List of limited liability companies; exchange of information.

(a) The Secretary of State may publish a list or lists of limited liability companies and foreign limited liability companies, as often, in the format, and for the fees as the Secretary of State may in his or her discretion provide by rule. The Secretary of State may disseminate information concerning limited liability companies and foreign limited liability companies by computer network in the format and for the fees as may be determined by rule.

(b) Upon written request, any list published under subsection (a) shall be free to each member of the General Assembly, to each State agency or department, and to each recorder in this State. An appropriate fee established by rule to cover the cost of producing the list shall be charged to all others.

(c) If a domestic or foreign limited liability company has filed with the Secretary of State an annual report for the preceding year or has been newly formed or is otherwise and in any manner registered with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services any information concerning that limited liability company that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015.

Notwithstanding any provisions in this Act to the contrary, the Secretary of State shall not be liable to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this subsection or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(750 ILCS 40/Act rep.)

Section 976. The Illinois Parentage Act is repealed.

(750 ILCS 45/Act rep.)

Section 977. The Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 is repealed.