Illinois Debates Major Divorce Law Changes

Illinois legislators are currently debating a new bill “HB 1452,” which seeks to make major changes to the state’s divorce laws.

The proposed bill, which was submitted by the bipartisan Family Law Study Committee, comes after four years of meetings with child advocates, judges, family law experts and the public.

If enacted, the following key changes would take place:

• There would be no more grounds for divorce – all divorces would be in essence “no fault” (i.e. neither spouse is required to base the divorce on any reason other than they wish to divorce).
• A speedier process, with divorce judgements issued within two months under normal circumstances, and three months under special circumstances
• An end to so-called “home-wrecking” lawsuits in which a spouse’s lover is sued for causing the divorce.
• Child support calculations in the state would be based on the income of both parents.
• Children could be allowed to spend 35% or more time with each parent, which would allow the non-custodial parent to spend time with their children over long weekends, etc.