Child Law

(Zalewski, D-Chicago) allows the court to request that the Department of Children and Family Services or a local law enforcement agency conduct an investigation if there is an allegation of child abuse or neglect made during a custody or visitation proceeding. If the investigating agency finds that the allegation is unfounded, it requires the court to hold a hearing on the issue. If the court determines that the allegation was false and the person who made the allegation knew it to be false, the court may impose monetary sanctions and hold that person in contempt of court. Requires written notice of the new provisions to parties in all proceedings in which custody or visitation is in issue. Just introduced.

(Gabel, D-Evanston) creates the Uniform Collaborative Law Act for family law cases that is a form of alternative-dispute resolution. Contains provisions concerning the requirements of collaborative law agreements; the beginning and conclusion of the collaborative law process; proceedings before a tribunal; disqualification of collaborative lawyers; disclosure of information; standards of professional responsibility and mandatory reporting; procedures for protecting parties from violent or coercive behavior; confidentiality; privileges; and the authority of a tribunal if a collaborative agreement does not meet the requirements of the Act. Just introduced. Same bill as Senate Bill 31 (Noland, D-Elgin).

(Zalewski, D-Chicago) authorizes a trial court to order the parties and the minor children to participate in “integrative family therapy” in a dissolution proceeding or post-judgment proceeding involving children. The trigger for the judge is the presence of substantial and ongoing conflict about custody or visitation putting the children at risk to develop a pathological condition or conditions such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorder. Recently introduced.

(Pritchard, D-DeKalb) allows party to request and the court to grant temporary relief that includes the following: (1) require a party to surrender to the court or the petitioner's attorney any United States or foreign passport issued in the name of a child; (2) require a party to place the name of a child in the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program of the United States Department of State; or (3) enjoin a party from applying on behalf of a child for a new or replacement passport or visa. Recently introduced.

(Noland, D-Elgin) defines and regulates the use of collaborative law in family law cases. Referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.

(Trotter, D-Chicago; Harris, D-Chicago) creates a $10 fee to be paid by civil litigants who file an appearance and defendants who are convicted or plead guilty to any felony, misdemeanor, traffic, municipal, or conservation offense to pay for the Supreme Court E-Business Plan. The E-Business Plan is to develop and maintain an automated point-of-access case and statistics management system. It will will include applications for e-filing, e-guilty, and e-signatures as well as trial court and probation data exchanges. Senate Bill 1746 is scheduled for hearing in House Judiciary Committee on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013.