Illinois Changes Child Support Laws to Pass More Dollars Through to Families on TANF

There is no doubt that 2024 brought about a lot of change when it comes to politics and the political climate in Chicago and the United States. Although arguably the biggest political bout concerned the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and much news focus was put on federal policies under the current Biden administration, the truth is that meanwhile from coast to coast, U.S. state legislators also passed legislation and signed numerous new bills into law with a view to better the lives of their constituents. One such law that Chicago parents may be interested in, and may not have heard about, is Public Act 102-1115, more widely known as a bill that helps low-income families who receive child support. But what exactly does the passage and implementation of Public Act 102-1115 do, and how does it impact Chicago families? We answer those questions here.

As local news reports detail, Public Act 102-1115 came into effect in Illinois on July 1 of this year. Public Act 102-1115 was signed into law to help low-income families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Illinois essentially retain more child support money that would otherwise pass through to the state. Prior to the passage of the new child support laws, Chicago families, and Illinois families generally, who received TANF benefits did not receive all child support payments paid to them. This was because under the prior laws, and per federal regulations, families receiving TANF were required to assign their child support rights to the State of Illinois in order to receive TANF benefits. Under the new laws, child support money that is paid to the state will pass through to the families, rather than be retained by the state. In addition, the new law further benefits low-income families because it is partly retroactive: any child support money that was collected by the State of Illinois for TANF recipients going back to the period January 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024, will be paid out to the families.

Prior to the change in the child support laws, the money retained by the State of Illinois was used to cover operational costs. However, budget increases are projected to close this gap. In addition, the fact that child support funds will now pass through to the families receiving child support will not impact their TANF eligibility.

Legal Help in Chicago with Your Child Support Issues 

If you are in the Chicago area and you are seeking legal help with your child support or child custody issues, contact the experienced Chicago child custody lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago child custody lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here to help Chicago parents with their complex child support issues. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced lawyer about your child support or child custody case today. Contact the experienced lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

wifr.com/2024/07/24/illinois-changes-child-support-policy-benefit-families/