In this article, our DuPage County child support lawyers take a closer look at recent changes to Illinois child support laws.
Illinois changed how child support is calculated by converting to the "income shares model" to calculate child support. With this model, the amount of base child support will now be calculated based on economic tables that take into account both parents' income, the cost of living and the number of children involved. After this amount is calculated both parents will be responsible for a proportional amount based on the amount they make compared to one another.
In 'shared parenting' arrangements, which occur when both parents have cared for the child for at least 146 nights a year, the amount of time each parent spends with the child is factored into the amount of child support for which each parent is responsible. The base child support for which the couple is collectively responsible is increased in shared parenting situations as well.