HB0785 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 03694 DRJ 33699 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB0785

Introduced 2/2/2005, by Rep. Cynthia Soto

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/10-10	from Ch. 23, par. 10-10
305 ILCS 5/10-28 new
750 ILCS 5/507	from Ch. 40, par. 507
750 ILCS 5/517 new
750 ILCS 5/705	from Ch. 40, par. 705
750 ILCS 5/709	from Ch. 40, par. 709
750 ILCS 16/25
750 ILCS 45/21	from Ch. 40, par. 2521
750 ILCS 45/28 new

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Replaces a provision concerning notice to a circuit clerk that a person is receiving child support enforcement services from the Department of Public Aid and requiring the clerk to send support payments in accordance with the Department's instructions. Provides that the Department of Public Aid may provide notice at any time to the parties to a support action that the Department is providing child support enforcement services. Provides that the Department is thereafter entitled to notice of further court proceedings. Requires the Department to provide the circuit clerk with copies of the notices sent to the parties.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning child support.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 10-10 and by adding Section 10-28 as follows:

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

Sec. 10-10. Court enforcement; applicability also to persons who are not applicants or recipients. Except where the Illinois Department, by agreement, acts for the local governmental unit, as provided in Section 10-3.1, local governmental units shall refer to the State's Attorney or to the proper legal representative of the governmental unit, for judicial enforcement as herein provided, instances of non-support or insufficient support when the dependents are applicants or recipients under Article VI. The Child and Spouse Support Unit established by Section 10-3.1 may institute in behalf of the Illinois Department any actions under this Section for judicial enforcement of the support liability when the dependents are (a) applicants or recipients under Articles III, IV, V or VII; (b) applicants or recipients in a local governmental unit when the Illinois Department, by agreement, acts for the unit; or (c) non-applicants or non-recipients who are receiving child support enforcement services under this Article X, as provided in Section 10-1. Where the Child and Spouse Support Unit has exercised its option and discretion not to apply the provisions of Sections 10-3 through 10-8, the failure by the Unit to apply such provisions shall not be a bar to bringing an action under this Section.

Action shall be brought in the circuit court to obtain support, or for the recovery of aid granted during the period such support was not provided, or both for the obtainment of support and the recovery of the aid provided. Actions for the recovery of aid may be taken separately or they may be consolidated with actions to obtain support. Such actions may be brought in the name of the person or persons requiring support, or may be brought in the name of the Illinois Department or the local governmental unit, as the case requires, in behalf of such persons.

The court may enter such orders for the payment of moneys for the support of the person as may be just and equitable and may direct payment thereof for such period or periods of time as the circumstances require, including support for a period before the date the order for support is entered. The order may be entered against any or all of the defendant responsible relatives and may be based upon the proportionate ability of each to contribute to the person's support.

The Court shall determine the amount of child support (including child support for a period before the date the order for child support is entered) by using 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. For purposes of determining the amount of child support to be paid for a period before the date the order for child support is entered, there is a rebuttable presumption that the responsible relative's net income for that period was the same as his or her net income at the time the order is entered.

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

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 10 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 any 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.

The Court shall determine the amount of maintenance using the standards set forth in Section 504 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

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 such judgment to be in the amount of each payment or installment of support and each such judgment to be deemed entered as of the date the corresponding payment or installment becomes due under the terms of the support order. Each such judgment shall have the full force, effect and attributes of any other judgment of this State, including the ability to be enforced. Any such judgment is subject to modification or termination only in accordance with Section 510 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. 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.

When an order is entered for the support of a minor, the court may provide therein for reasonable visitation of the minor by the person or persons who provided support pursuant to the order. Whoever willfully refuses to comply with such visitation order or willfully interferes with its enforcement may be declared in contempt of court and punished therefor.

Except where the local governmental unit has entered into an agreement with the Illinois Department for the Child and Spouse Support Unit to act for it, as provided in Section 10-3.1, support orders entered by the court in cases involving applicants or recipients under Article VI shall provide that payments thereunder be made directly to the local governmental unit. Orders for the support of all other applicants or recipients shall provide that payments thereunder be made directly to the Illinois Department. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Illinois Department 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. The Illinois Department 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. In both cases the order shall permit the local governmental unit or the Illinois Department, as the case may be, to direct the responsible relative or relatives to make support payments directly to the needy person, or to some person or agency in his behalf, upon removal of the person from the public aid rolls or upon termination of services under Article X.

If the notice of support due issued pursuant to Section 10-7 directs that support payments be made directly to the needy person, or to some person or agency in his behalf, and the recipient is removed from the public aid rolls, court action may be taken against the responsible relative hereunder if he fails to furnish support in accordance with the terms of such notice.

Actions may also be brought under this Section in behalf of any person who is in need of support from responsible relatives, as defined in Section 2-11 of Article II who is not an applicant for or recipient of financial aid under this Code. In such instances, the State's Attorney of the county in which such person resides shall bring action against the responsible relatives hereunder. If the Illinois Department, as authorized by Section 10-1, extends the child support enforcement services provided by this Article to spouses and dependent children who are not applicants or recipients under this Code, the Child and Spouse Support Unit established by Section 10-3.1 shall bring action against the responsible relatives hereunder and any support orders entered by the court in such cases shall provide that payments thereunder be made directly to the Illinois Department.

Whenever it is determined in a proceeding to establish or enforce a child support or maintenance 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 in accordance with such order. Additionally, the court may order the unemployed person 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 this Article X, the court may order the unemployed person to report to the Illinois Department for participation in job search, training or work programs established under Section 9-6 and Article IXA of this Code.

Whenever it is determined that a person owes past-due support for a child receiving assistance under this Code, the court shall order at the request of the Illinois Department:

(1) that the person pay the past-due support in accordance with a plan approved by the court; or

(2) if the person owing past-due support is unemployed, is subject to such a plan, and is not incapacitated, that the person participate in such job search, training, or work programs established under Section 9-6 and Article IXA of this Code as the court deems appropriate.

A determination under this Section shall not be administratively reviewable by the procedures specified in Sections 10-12, and 10-13 to 10-13.10. Any determination under these Sections, if made the basis of court action under this Section, shall not affect the de novo judicial determination required under this Section.

A one-time charge of 20% is imposable upon the amount of past-due child support owed on July 1, 1988 which has accrued under a support order entered by the court. The charge shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-21 of this Code and shall be enforced by the court upon petition.

All orders 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 this Article X, the Illinois Department, within 7 days, (i) of the name, address, and telephone number 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, the policy name and number and the names of persons 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 the Code of Civil Procedure or this Code, which service shall be sufficient for purposes of due process.

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 paragraph shall be construed to prevent the court from modifying the order or terminating the order in the event the child is otherwise emancipated.

Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department until the Illinois Department gives notice to the clerk of the court to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department shall be entitled as a party to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department's notification in the court file. The clerk's failure to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department's right to receive notice of further proceedings.

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. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 92-590, eff. 7-1-02; 92-876, eff. 6-1-03; revised 9-27-03.)

(305 ILCS 5/10-28 new)

Sec. 10-28. Notice of child support enforcement services. The Illinois Department may provide notice at any time to the parties to a judicial action filed under this Code, or under any other law providing for support of a spouse or dependent child, that child support enforcement services are being provided by the Illinois Department under this Article X. The notice shall be sent by regular mail to the party's last known address on file with the clerk of the court or the State Case Registry established under Section 10-27. After notice is provided pursuant to this Section, the Illinois Department shall be entitled, as if it were a party, to notice of any further proceedings brought in the case. The Illinois Department shall provide the clerk of the court with copies of the notices sent to the parties. The clerk shall file the copies in the court file.

Section 10. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act is amended by changing Sections 507, 705, and 709 and by adding Section 517 as follows:

(750 ILCS 5/507) (from Ch. 40, par. 507)

Sec. 507. Payment of maintenance or support to court.

(a) In actions instituted under this Act, the court shall order that maintenance and support payments be made to the clerk of court as trustee for remittance to the person entitled to receive the payments. However, the court in its discretion may direct otherwise where circumstances so warrant.

Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department of Public Aid to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department of Public Aid until the Department gives notice to the clerk of the court to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be entitled as a party to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's notification in the court file. The failure of the clerk to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department of Public Aid's right to receive notice of further proceedings.

(b) The clerk of court shall maintain records listing the amount of payments, the date payments are required to be made and the names and addresses of the parties affected by the order. For those cases in which support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Illinois Department of Public Aid by order of the court or upon notification of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, and the Illinois Department of Public Aid collects support by assignment, offset, withholding, deduction or other process permitted by law, the Illinois Department shall notify the clerk of the date and amount of such collection. Upon notification, the clerk shall record the collection on the payment record for the case.

(c) The parties affected by the order shall inform the clerk of court of any change of address or of other condition that may affect the administration of the order.

(d) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to cases that come under the provisions of Sections 709 through 712.

(e) To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Section 507.1 of this Act and Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit shall apply.

(Source: P.A. 90-18, eff. 7-1-97; 90-673, eff. 1-1-99; 90-790, eff. 8-14-98; 91-212, eff. 7-20-99; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(750 ILCS 5/517 new)

Sec. 517. Notice of child support enforcement services. The Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code. The notice shall be sent by regular mail to the party's last known address on file with the clerk of the court or the State Case Registry established under Section 10-27 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. After notice is provided pursuant to this Section, the Illinois Department shall be entitled, as if it were a party, to notice of any further proceedings brought in the case. The Illinois Department shall provide the clerk of the court with copies of the notices sent to the parties. The clerk shall file the copies in the court file.

(750 ILCS 5/705) (from Ch. 40, par. 705)

Sec. 705. Support payments; receiving and disbursing agents.

(1) The provisions of this Section shall apply, except as provided in Sections 709 through 712.

(2) In a dissolution of marriage action filed in a county of less than 3 million population in which an order or judgment for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings in any such county to enforce or vary the terms of such order or judgment arising out of an action for dissolution of marriage filed in such county, the court, except as it otherwise orders, under subsection (4) of this Section, may direct that child support payments be made to the clerk of the court.

(3) In a dissolution of marriage action filed in any county of 3 million or more population in which an order or judgment for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings in any such county to enforce or vary the terms of such order or judgment arising out of an action for dissolution of marriage filed in such county, the court, except as it otherwise orders under subsection (4) of this Section, may direct that child support payments be made either to the clerk of the court or to the Court Service Division of the County Department of Public Aid. After the effective date of this Act, the court, except as it otherwise orders under subsection (4) of this Section, may direct that child support payments be made either to the clerk of the court or to the Illinois Department of Public Aid.

(4) In a dissolution of marriage action or supplementary proceedings involving maintenance or child support payments, or both, to persons who are recipients of aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court shall direct that such payments be made to (a) the Illinois Department of Public Aid if the persons are recipients under Articles III, IV, or V of the Code, or (b) the local governmental unit responsible for their support if they are recipients under Articles VI or VII of the Code. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 order shall permit the Illinois Department of Public Aid or the local governmental unit, as the case may be, to direct that payments be made directly to the former spouse, the children, or both, or to some person or agency in their behalf, upon removal of the former spouse or children from the public aid rolls or upon termination of services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; and upon such direction, the Illinois Department or local governmental unit, as the case requires, shall give notice of such action to the court in writing or by electronic transmission.

(5) All clerks of the court and the Court Service Division of a County Department of Public Aid and, after the effective date of this Act, all clerks of the court and the Illinois Department of Public Aid, receiving child support payments under subsections (2) and (3) of this Section shall disburse the payments to the person or persons entitled thereto under the terms of the order or judgment. They shall establish and maintain 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.

Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department of Public Aid to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department of Public Aid until the Department gives notice to the clerk of the court to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be entitled as a party to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's notification in the court file. The failure of the clerk to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department of Public Aid's right to receive notice of further proceedings.

Payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 the Illinois Public Aid Code. Payments received by a local governmental unit shall be deposited in that unit's General Assistance Fund. Any order of court directing payment of child support to a clerk of court or the Court Service Division of a County Department of Public Aid, which order has been entered on or after August 14, 1961, and prior to the effective date of this Act, may be amended by the court in line with this Act; and orders involving payments of maintenance or child support to recipients of public aid may in like manner be amended to conform to this Act.

(6) No filing fee or costs will be required in any action brought at the request of the Illinois Department of Public Aid in any proceeding under this Act. However, any such fees or costs may be assessed by the court against the respondent in the court's order of support or any modification thereof in a proceeding under this Act.

(7) For those cases in which child support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Illinois Department of Public Aid by order of court or upon notification by the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the clerk shall transmit all such payments, within 4 working days of receipt, to insure that funds are available for immediate distribution by the Department to the person or entity entitled thereto in accordance with standards of the Child Support Enforcement Program established under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The clerk shall notify the Department of the date of receipt and amount thereof at the time of transmittal. Where the clerk has entered into an agreement of cooperation with the Department to record the terms of child support orders and payments made thereunder directly into the Department's automated data processing system, the clerk shall account for, transmit and otherwise distribute child support payments in accordance with such agreement in lieu of the requirements contained herein.

In any action filed in a county with a population of 1,000,000 or less, the court shall assess against the respondent in any order of maintenance or child support any sum up to $36 annually authorized by ordinance of the county board to be collected by the clerk of the court as costs for administering the collection and disbursement of maintenance and child support payments. Such sum shall be in addition to and separate from amounts ordered to be paid as maintenance or child support.

(8) To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Section 507.1 of this Act and Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid 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; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(750 ILCS 5/709) (from Ch. 40, par. 709)

Sec. 709. Mandatory child support payments to clerk.

(a) As of January 1, 1982, child support orders entered in any county covered by this subsection shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 709 through 712 of this Act. For purposes of these Sections, the term "child support payment" or "payment" shall include any payment ordered to be made solely for the purpose of the support of a child or children or any payment ordered for general support which includes any amount for support of any child or children.

The provisions of Sections 709 through 712 shall be applicable to any county with a population of 2 million or more and to any other county which notifies the Supreme Court of its desire to be included within the coverage of these Sections and is certified pursuant to Supreme Court Rules.

The effective date of inclusion, however, shall be subject to approval of the application for reimbursement of the costs of the support program by the Department of Public Aid as provided in Section 712.

(b) In any proceeding for a dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity of marriage, or in any supplementary proceedings in which a judgment or modification thereof for the payment of child support is entered on or after January 1, 1982, in any county covered by Sections 709 through 712, and the person entitled to payment is receiving a grant of financial aid under Article IV of the Illinois Public Aid Code or has applied and qualified for child support enforcement services under Section 10-1 of that Code, the court shall direct: (1) that such payments be made to the clerk of the court and (2) that the parties affected shall each thereafter notify the clerk of any change of address or change in other conditions that may affect the administration of the order, including the fact that a party who was previously not on public aid has become a recipient of public aid, within 10 days of such change. All notices sent to the obligor's last known address on file with the clerk shall be deemed sufficient to proceed with enforcement pursuant to the provisions of Sections 709 through 712.

In all other cases, the court may direct that payments be made to the clerk of the court.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Section, the clerk shall disburse the payments to the person or persons entitled thereto under the terms of the order or judgment.

(d) The court shall determine, prior to the entry of the support order, if the party who is to receive the support is presently receiving public aid or has a current application for public aid pending and shall enter the finding on the record.

If the person entitled to payment is a recipient of aid under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the clerk, upon being informed of this fact by finding of the court, by notification by the party entitled to payment, by the Illinois Department of Public Aid or by the local governmental unit, shall make all payments to: (1) the Illinois Department of Public Aid if the person is a recipient under Article III, IV, or V of the Code or (2) the local governmental unit responsible for his or her support if the person is a recipient under Article VI or VII of the Code. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department of Public Aid 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. Upon termination of public aid payments to such a recipient or termination of services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Department of Public Aid or the appropriate local governmental unit shall notify the clerk in writing or by electronic transmission that all subsequent payments are to be sent directly to the person entitled thereto.

Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department of Public Aid to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department of Public Aid until the Department gives notice to the clerk of the court to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be entitled as a party to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's notification in the court file. The failure of the clerk to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department of Public Aid's right to receive notice of further proceedings.

Payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 the Illinois Public Aid Code. Payments received by a local governmental unit shall be deposited in that unit's General Assistance Fund.

(e) Any order or judgment may be amended by the court, upon its own motion or upon the motion of either party, to conform with the provisions of Sections 709 through 712, either as to the requirement of making payments to the clerk or, where payments are already being made to the clerk, as to the statutory fees provided for under Section 711.

(f) The clerk may invest in any interest bearing account or in any securities, monies collected for the benefit of a payee, where such payee cannot be found; however, the investment may be only for the period until the clerk is able to locate and present the payee with such monies. The clerk may invest in any interest bearing account, or in any securities, monies collected for the benefit of any other payee; however, this does not alter the clerk's obligation to make payments to the payee in a timely manner. Any interest or capital gains accrued shall be for the benefit of the county and shall be paid into the special fund established in subsection (b) of Section 711.

(g) The clerk shall establish and maintain a payment record of all monies received and disbursed and such record shall constitute prima facie evidence of such payment and non-payment, as the case may be.

(h) For those cases in which child support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Illinois Department of Public Aid by order of court or upon notification by the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the clerk shall transmit all such payments, within 4 working days of receipt, to insure that funds are available for immediate distribution by the Department to the person or entity entitled thereto in accordance with standards of the Child Support Enforcement Program established under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The clerk shall notify the Department of the date of receipt and amount thereof at the time of transmittal. Where the clerk has entered into an agreement of cooperation with the Department to record the terms of child support orders and payments made thereunder directly into the Department's automated data processing system, the clerk shall account for, transmit and otherwise distribute child support payments in accordance with such agreement in lieu of the requirements contained herein.

(i) To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Section 507.1 of this Act and Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid 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; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 92-590, eff. 7-1-02.)

Section 15. The Non-Support Punishment Act is amended by changing Section 25 as follows:

(750 ILCS 16/25)

Sec. 25. Payment of support to State Disbursement Unit; clerk of the court.

(a) As used in this Section, "order for support", "obligor", "obligee", and "payor" mean those terms as defined in the Income Withholding for Support Act.

(b) Each order for support entered or modified under Section 20 of this Act shall require that support payments be made to the State Disbursement Unit established under the Illinois Public Aid Code, under the following circumstances:

(1) when a party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or

(2) when no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services, but the support payments are made through income withholding.

(c) When no party to the order is receiving child support enforcement services, and payments are not being made through income withholding, the court shall order the obligor to make support payments to the clerk of the court.

(d) At any time, and notwithstanding the existence of an order directing payments to be made elsewhere, the Department of Public Aid 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 Public Aid shall provide a copy of the notice to the obligee and to the clerk of the circuit court.

(e) If a State Disbursement Unit as specified by federal law has not been created in Illinois upon the effective date of this Act, then, until the creation of a State Disbursement Unit as specified by federal law, the following provisions regarding payment and disbursement of support payments shall control and the provisions in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall be inoperative. Upon the creation of a State Disbursement Unit as specified by federal law, the payment and disbursement provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall control, and this subsection (e) shall be inoperative to the extent that it conflicts with those subsections.

(1) In cases in which an order for support is entered under Section 20 of this Act, the court shall order that maintenance and support payments be made to the clerk of the court for remittance to the person or agency entitled to receive the payments. However, the court in its discretion may direct otherwise where exceptional circumstances so warrant.

(2) The court shall direct that support payments be sent by the clerk to (i) the Illinois Department of Public Aid if the person in whose behalf payments are made is receiving aid under Articles III, IV, or V of the Illinois Public Aid Code, or child support enforcement services under Article X of the Code, or (ii) to the local governmental unit responsible for the support of the person if he or she is a recipient under Article VI of the Code. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department 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 order shall permit the Illinois Department of Public Aid or the local governmental unit, as the case may be, to direct that support payments be made directly to the spouse, children, or both, or to some person or agency in their behalf, upon removal of the spouse or children from the public aid rolls or upon termination of services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code; and upon such direction, the Illinois Department or the local governmental unit, as the case requires, shall give notice of such action to the court in writing or by electronic transmission.

(3) The clerk of the court shall establish and maintain current records of all moneys received and disbursed and of delinquencies and defaults in required payments. The court, by order or rule, shall make provision for the carrying out of these duties.

(4) (Blank). Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department of Public Aid to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department of Public Aid until the Department gives notice to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be a party and entitled to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's notification in the court file. The failure of the clerk to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department of Public Aid's rights as a party or its right to receive notice of further proceedings.

(5) Payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 other payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be deposited in the Public Assistance Recoveries Trust Fund. Disbursements 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.

(6) For those cases in which child support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Illinois Department of Public Aid by order of court or upon notification by the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the clerk shall transmit all such payments, within 4 working days of receipt, to insure that funds are available for immediate distribution by the Department to the person or entity entitled thereto in accordance with standards of the Child Support Enforcement Program established under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The clerk shall notify the Department of the date of receipt and amount thereof at the time of transmittal. Where the clerk has entered into an agreement of cooperation with the Department to record the terms of child support orders and payments made thereunder directly into the Department's automated data processing system, the clerk shall account for, transmit and otherwise distribute child support payments in accordance with such agreement in lieu of the requirements contained herein.

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

Section 20. The Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 is amended by changing Section 21 and by adding Section 28 as follows:

(750 ILCS 45/21) (from Ch. 40, par. 2521)

Sec. 21. Support payments; receiving and disbursing agents.

(1) In an action filed in a county of less than 3 million population in which an order for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings in such a county to enforce or vary the terms of such 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 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 court the judgment or order of support shall set forth the facts of the exceptional circumstances.

(2) In an action filed in a county of 3 million or more population in which an order for child support is entered, and in supplementary proceedings in such a county to enforce or vary the terms of such 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 court or to the Court Service Division of the County Department of Public Aid, or to the clerk of the court or to the Illinois Department of Public Aid, 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 court, the Court Service Division of the County Department of Public Aid, or the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the judgment or order of support shall set forth the facts of the exceptional circumstances.

(3) Where the action or supplementary proceeding is in 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 (a) the Illinois Department of Public Aid if the mother or child, or both, are recipients under Articles IV or V of the Code, or (b) the local governmental unit responsible for the support of the mother or child, or both, if they are recipients under Articles VI or VII of the Code. In accordance with federal law and regulations, the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 in 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; and upon such direction, the Illinois Department or the local governmental unit, as the case requires, shall give notice of such action to the court in writing or by electronic transmission.

(4) All clerks of the court and the Court Service Division of a County Department of Public Aid and the Illinois Department of Public Aid, receiving child support payments under paragraphs (1) or (2) shall disburse the same to the person or persons entitled thereto under the terms of the order. They 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.

Upon notification in writing or by electronic transmission from the Illinois Department of Public Aid to the clerk of the court that a person who is receiving support payments under this Section is receiving services under the Child Support Enforcement Program established by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, any support payments subsequently received by the clerk of the court shall be transmitted in accordance with the instructions of the Illinois Department of Public Aid until the Department gives notice to cease the transmittal. After providing the notification authorized under this paragraph, the Illinois Department of Public Aid shall be entitled as a party to notice of any further proceedings in the case. The clerk of the court shall file a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's notification in the court file. The failure of the clerk to file a copy of the notification in the court file shall not, however, affect the Illinois Department of Public Aid's right to receive notice of further proceedings.

Payments under this Section to the Illinois Department of Public Aid 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.

(5) 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 court or the Illinois Department of Public Aid, as the person or agency authorized to receive and disburse child support payments and, in the case of recipients of public aid, the court, on petition of the Attorney General or State's Attorney, shall direct subsequent payments to be paid to the Illinois Department of Public Aid or to the appropriate local governmental unit, as provided in paragraph (3). 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 court, the Illinois Department of Public Aid or the appropriate local governmental unit, as the respective provisions of this Section require.

(6) For those cases in which child support is payable to the clerk of the circuit court for transmittal to the Illinois Department of Public Aid by order of court or upon notification by the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the clerk shall transmit all such payments, within 4 working days of receipt, to insure that funds are available for immediate distribution by the Department to the person or entity entitled thereto in accordance with standards of the Child Support Enforcement Program established under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The clerk shall notify the Department of the date of receipt and amount thereof at the time of transmittal. Where the clerk has entered into an agreement of cooperation with the Department to record the terms of child support orders and payments made thereunder directly into the Department's automated data processing system, the clerk shall account for, transmit and otherwise distribute child support payments in accordance with such agreement in lieu of the requirements contained herein.

(7) To the extent the provisions of this Section are inconsistent with the requirements pertaining to the State Disbursement Unit under Section 21.1 of this Act and Section 10-26 of the Illinois Public Aid 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; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(750 ILCS 45/28 new)

Sec. 28. Notice of child support enforcement services. The Illinois Department of Public Aid 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 Illinois Department under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code. The notice shall be sent by regular mail to the party's last known address on file with the clerk of the court or the State Case Registry established under Section 10-27 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. After notice is provided pursuant to this Section, the Illinois Department shall be entitled, as if it were a party, to notice of any further proceedings brought in the case. The Illinois Department shall provide the clerk of the court with copies of the notices sent to the parties. The clerk shall file the copies in the court file.