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ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT BOOKLET CONTENT

Chapter 2
Subpoenas and Notice to Appear at Trial


Illinois Supreme Court Rule 237
Compelling Appearance of Witnesses at Trial


(a) Service of Subpoenas. Any witness shall respond to any lawful subpoena of which he or she has actual knowledge, if payment of the fee and mileage has been tendered. Service of a subpoena by mail may be proved prima facie by a return receipt showing delivery to the witness or his or her authorized agent by certified or registered mail at least seven days before the date on which appearance is required and an affidavit showing that the mailing was prepaid and was addressed to the witness, restricted delivery, with a check or money order for the fee and mileage enclosed.

(b) Notice of Parties et al. at Trial or Other Evidentiary Hearings. The appearance at the trial or other evidentiary hearing of a party or a person who at the time of trial or other evidentiary hearing is an officer, director, or employee of a party may be required by serving the party with a notice designating the person who is required to appear. The notice also may require the production at the trial or other evidentiary hearing of the originals of those documents or tangible things previously produced during discovery. If the party or person is a nonresident of the county, the court may order any terms and conditions in connection with his or her appearance at the trial or other evidentiary hearing that are just, including payment of his or her reasonable expenses. Upon a failure to comply with the notice, the court may enter any order that is just, including any sanction or remedy provided for in Rule 219(c) that may be appropriate.

(c) Notice of Parties at Expedited Hearings in Domestic Relations Cases. In a domestic relations case, the appearance at an expedited hearing of a party who has been served with process or appeared may be required by serving the party with a notice designating the party who is required to appear. The notice may also require the production at the hearing of the original documents or tangible things relevant to the issues to be addressed at the hearing. If the party is a nonresident of the county, the court may order any terms and conditions in connection with his or her appearance at the hearing that are just, including payment of his or her reasonable expenses. Upon a failure to comply with the notice, the court may enter any order that is just, including any sanction or remedy provided for in Rule 219(c) that may be appropriate.


Chapter 3
Selected Civil Statutes and Court Rules
Relating to Domestic Violence

 A. Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
(In Pertinent Part)

 

1. Conciliation; mediation
(750 ILCS 5/404) 

    (a) If the court concludes that there is a prospect of reconciliation, the court, at the request of either party, or on its own motion, may order a conciliation conference.  The conciliation conference and counseling shall take place at the established court conciliation service of that judicial district or at any similar service or facility where no court conciliation service has been established.

    (b) The facts adduced at any conciliation conference resulting from a referral hereunder, shall not be considered in the adjudication of a pending or subsequent action, nor shall any report resulting from such conference become part of the record of the case unless the parties have stipulated in writing to the contrary.

    The court, upon good cause shown, may prohibit conciliation, mediation or other process that requires the parties to meet and confer without counsel.

2. Temporary Relief
(750 ILCS 5/501)

    In all proceedings under this Act, temporary relief shall be as follows:

    (a) Either party may move for:

        (1) temporary maintenance or temporary support of a child of the marriage entitled to support, accompanied by an affidavit as to the factual basis for the relief requested;

        (2) a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, accompanied by affidavit showing a factual basis for any of the following relief:

            (i) restraining any person from transferring, encumbering, concealing or otherwise disposing of any property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and, if so restrained, requiring him to notify the moving party and his attorney of any proposed extraordinary expenditures made after the order is issued;

            (ii) enjoining a party from removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court;

            (iii) enjoining a party from striking or interfering with the personal liberty of the other party or of any child; or

            (iv) providing other injunctive relief proper in the circumstances; or

        (3) other appropriate temporary relief.

    (b) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds, on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence, that irreparable injury will result to the moving party if no order is issued until the time for responding has elapsed.

    (c) A response hereunder may be filed within 21 days after service of notice of motion or at the time specified in the temporary restraining order.

    (c-1) As used in this subsection (c-1), "interim attorney's fees and costs" means attorney's fees and costs assessed from time to time while a case is pending, in favor of the petitioning party's current counsel, for reasonable fees and costs either already incurred or to be incurred, and "interim award" means an award of interim attorney's fees and costs. Interim awards shall be governed by the following:

        (1)  Except for good cause shown, a proceeding for (or relating to) interim attorney's fees and costs shall be nonevidentiary, summary in nature, and expeditious.  When a party files a petition for interim attorney's fees and costs supported by one or more affidavits that delineate relevant factors, the court (or a  hearing officer) shall assess an interim award after affording the opposing party a reasonable opportunity to file a responsive pleading.  A responsive pleading shall set out the amount of each retainer or other payment or payments, or both, previously paid to the responding party's counsel by or on behalf of the responding party.  In assessing an interim award, the court shall consider all relevant factors, as presented, that appear reasonable and necessary, including:

            (A) the income and property of each party, including alleged marital property within the sole control of one party and alleged non-marital property within access to a party;

            (B) the needs of each party;

            (C) the realistic earning capacity of each party;

            (D) any impairment to present earning capacity of either party, including age and physical and emotional health;

            (E) the standard of living established during the marriage;

            (F) the degree of complexity of the issues, including custody, valuation or division (or both) of closely held businesses, and tax planning, as well as reasonable needs for expert investigations or expert witnesses, or both;

            (G) each party's access to relevant information;

            (H) the amount of the payment or payments made or reasonably expected to be made to the attorney for the other party; and

            (I) any other factor that the court expressly finds to be just and equitable.

        (2) Any assessment of an interim award (including one pursuant to an agreed order) shall be without prejudice to any final allocation and without prejudice as to any claim or right of either party or any counsel of record at the time of the award.  Any such claim or right may be presented by the appropriate party or counsel at a hearing on contribution under subsection (j) of Section 503 or a hearing on counsel's fees under subsection (c) of Section 508.  Unless otherwise ordered by the court at the final hearing between the parties or in a hearing under subsection (j) of Section 503 or subsection (c) of Section 508, interim awards, as well as the aggregate of all other payments by each party to counsel and related payments to third parties, shall be deemed to have been advances from the parties' marital estate.  Any portion of any interim award constituting an overpayment shall be remitted back to the appropriate party or parties, or, alternatively, to successor counsel, as the court determines and directs, after notice.

        (3) In any proceeding under this subsection (c-1), the court (or hearing officer) shall assess an interim award against an opposing party in an amount necessary to enable the petitioning party to participate adequately in the litigation, upon findings that the party from whom attorney's fees and costs are sought has the financial ability to pay reasonable amounts and that the party seeking attorney's fees and costs lacks sufficient access to assets or income to pay reasonable amounts. In determining an award, the court shall consider whether adequate participation in the litigation requires expenditure of more fees and costs for a party that is not in control of assets or relevant information.  Except for good cause shown, an interim award shall not be less than payments made or reasonably expected to be made to the counsel for the other party.  If the court finds that both parties lack financial ability or access to assets or income for reasonable attorney's fees and costs, the court (or hearing officer) shall enter an order that allocates available funds for each party's counsel, including retainers or interim payments, or both, previously paid, in a manner that achieves substantial parity between the parties.

        (4) The changes to this Section 501 made by this amendatory Act of 1996 apply to cases pending on or after June 1, 1997, except as otherwise provided in Section 508.

    (d) A temporary order entered under this Section:

        (1) does not prejudice the rights of the parties or the child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding;

        (2) may be revoked or modified before final judgment, on a showing by affidavit and upon hearing; and

        (3) terminates when the final judgment is entered or when the petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation or declaration of invalidity of marriage is dismissed.

 

3. Disposition of property
(750 ILCS 5/503)
 

    (a) For purposes of this Act, "marital property" means all property acquired by either spouse subsequent to the marriage, except the following, which is known as "non-marital property":

        (1) property acquired by gift, legacy or descent;

        (2) property acquired in exchange for property acquired before the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, legacy or descent;

        (3) property acquired by a spouse after a judgment of legal separation;

        (4) property excluded by valid agreement of the parties;

        (5) any judgment or property obtained by judgment awarded to a spouse from the other spouse;

        (6) property acquired before the marriage;

        (7) the increase in value of property acquired by a method listed in paragraphs (1) through (6) of this subsection, irrespective of whether the increase results from a contribution of marital property, non-marital property, the personal effort of a spouse, or otherwise, subject to the right of reimbursement provided in subsection (c) of this Section; and

        (8) income from property acquired by a method listed in paragraphs (1) through (7) of this subsection if the income is not attributable to the personal effort of a spouse.

    (b)(1) For purposes of distribution of property pursuant to this Section, all property acquired by either spouse after the marriage and before a judgment of dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage, including non-marital property transferred into some form of co-ownership between the spouses, is presumed to be marital property, regardless of whether title is held individually or by the spouses in some form of co-ownership such as joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entirety, or community property.  The presumption of marital property is overcome by a showing that the property was acquired by a method listed in subsection (a) of this Section.

        (2) For purposes of distribution of property pursuant to this Section, all pension benefits (including pension benefits under the Illinois Pension Code) acquired by either spouse after the marriage and before a judgment of dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of the marriage are presumed to be marital property, regardless of which spouse participates in the pension plan.  The presumption that these pension benefits are marital property is overcome by a showing that the pension benefits were acquired by a method listed in subsection (a) of this Section.  The right to a division of pension benefits in just proportions under this Section is enforceable under Section 1-119 of the Illinois Pension Code.

    The value of pension benefits in a retirement system subject to the Illinois Pension Code shall be determined in accordance with the valuation procedures established by the retirement system.

    The recognition of pension benefits as marital property and the division of those benefits pursuant to a Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order shall not be deemed to be a diminishment, alienation, or impairment of those benefits.  The division of pension benefits is an allocation of property in which each spouse has a species of common ownership.

***

    (c) Commingled marital and non-marital property shall be treated in the following manner, unless otherwise agreed by the spouses:

        (1) When marital and non-marital property are commingled by contributing one estate of property into another resulting in a loss of identity of the contributed property, the classification of the contributed property is transmuted to the estate receiving the contribution, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection; provided that if marital and non-marital property are commingled into newly acquired property resulting in a loss of identity of the contributing estates, the commingled property shall be deemed transmuted to marital property, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection.

        (2) When one estate of property makes a contribution to another estate of property, or when a spouse contributes personal effort to non-marital property, the contributing estate shall be reimbursed from the estate receiving the contribution notwithstanding any transmutation; provided, that no such reimbursement shall be made with respect to a contribution which is not retraceable by clear and convincing evidence, or was a gift, or, in the case of a contribution of personal effort of a spouse to non-marital property, unless the effort is significant and results in substantial appreciation of the non-marital property.  Personal effort of a spouse shall be deemed a contribution by the marital estate. The court may provide for reimbursement out of the marital property to be divided or by imposing a lien against the non-marital property which received the contribution.

    (d) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage, or in a proceeding for disposition of property following dissolution of marriage by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or lacked jurisdiction to dispose of the property, the court shall assign each spouse's non-marital property to that spouse.  It also shall divide the marital property without regard to marital misconduct in just proportions considering all relevant factors, including:

        (1) the contribution of each party to the acquisition, preservation, or increase or decrease in value of the marital or non-marital property, including the contribution of a spouse as a homemaker or to the family unit;

        (2) the dissipation by each party of the marital or non-marital property;

        (3) the value of the property assigned to each spouse;

        (4) the duration of the marriage;

        (5) the relevant economic circumstances of each spouse when the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to live therein for reasonable periods, to the spouse having custody of the children;

        (6) any obligations and rights arising from a prior marriage of either party;

        (7) any antenuptial agreement of the parties;

        (8) the age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities, and needs of each of the parties;

        (9) the custodial provisions for any children;

        (10) whether the apportionment is in lieu of or in addition to maintenance;

        (11) the reasonable opportunity of each spouse for future acquisition of capital assets and income; and

        (12) the tax consequences of the property division upon the respective economic circumstances of the parties.

 

* * *

4. Child support; contempt; penalties
(750 ILCS 5/505) 

    (a) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, a proceeding for child support following dissolution of the marriage by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse, a proceeding for modification of a previous order for child support under Section 510 of this Act, or any proceeding authorized under Section 501 or 601 of this Act, the court may order either or both parents owing a duty of support to a child of the marriage to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for his support, without regard to marital misconduct.  The duty of support owed to a child includes the obligation to provide for the reasonable and necessary physical, mental and emotional health needs of the child. For purposes of this Section, the term "child" shall include any child under age 18 and any child under age 19 who is still attending high school.

        (1) The Court shall determine the minimum amount of support by using the following guidelines:

Number of Children              Percent of Supporting Party's New Income

        1                                       20%                         

        2                                       28%                                  

        3                                       32%                                      

        4                                      40%                                         

        5                                      45%                                         

   6 or more                                50%                               

        (2)  The above guidelines shall be applied in each case unless the court makes a finding that application of the guidelines would be inappropriate, after considering the best interests of the child in light of evidence including but not limited to one or more of the following relevant factors:

            (a) the financial resources and needs of the child;

            (b) the financial resources and needs of the custodial parent;

            (c) the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved;

            (d) the physical and emotional condition of the child, and his educational needs; and

            (e) the financial resources and needs of the non-custodial parent.

        If the court deviates from the guidelines, the court's finding shall state the amount of support that would have been required under the guidelines, if determinable.  The court shall include the reason or reasons for the variance from the guidelines.

        (3) "Net income" is defined as the total of all income from all sources, minus the following deductions:

            (a) Federal income tax (properly calculated withholding or estimated payments);

            (b) State income tax (properly calculated withholding or estimated payments);

            (c) Social Security (FICA payments);

            (d) Mandatory retirement contributions required by law or as a condition of employment;

            (e) Union dues;

            (f) Dependent and individual health/hospitalization insurance premiums;

            (g) Prior obligations of support or maintenance actually paid pursuant to a court order;

            (h) Expenditures for repayment of debts that represent reasonable and necessary expenses for the production of income, medical expenditures necessary to preserve life or health, reasonable expenditures for the benefit of the child and the other parent, exclusive of gifts.  The court shall reduce net income in determining the minimum amount of support to be ordered only for the period that such payments are due and shall enter an order containing provisions for its self-executing modification upon termination of such payment period.

        (4) In cases where the court order provides for health/hospitalization insurance coverage pursuant to Section 505.2 of this Act, the premiums for that insurance, or that portion of the premiums for which the supporting party is responsible in the case of insurance provided through an employer's health insurance plan where the employer pays a portion of the premiums, shall be subtracted from net income in determining the minimum amount of support to be ordered.

 

5. Unemployed and past due person
(750 ILCS 5/505.1) 

    (a) 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 support services under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code, as amended, the court may order the unemployed person to report to the Illinois Department of Public Aid for participation in job search, training or work programs established under Section 9-6 and Article IXA of that Code.

    (b) Whenever it is determined that a person owes past-due support for a child or for a child and the parent with whom the child is living, and the child is receiving assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code, the court shall order at the request of the Illinois Department of Public Aid:

        (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 the Illinois Public Aid Code as the court deems appropriate.

 

6. Attorney's fees; client's rights and responsibilities respecting fees and costs
(750 ILCS 5/508)

    (a) The court from time to time, after due notice and hearing, and after considering the financial resources of the parties, may order any party to pay a reasonable amount for his own or the other party's costs and attorney's fees. Interim attorney's fees and costs may be awarded from the opposing party, in accordance with subsection (c-1) of Section 501. At the conclusion of the case, contribution to attorney's fees and costs may be awarded from the opposing party in accordance with subsection (j) of Section 503.  Fees and costs may be awarded to counsel from a former client in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section.

7. Best interest of child (legal standard for child custody)
(750 ILCS 5/602)

    (a) The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interest of the child.  The court shall consider all relevant factors including:

        (1) the wishes of the child's parent or parents as to his custody;

        (2) the wishes of the child as to his custodian;

        (3) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents, his siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest;

        (4) the child's adjustment to his home, school and community;

        (5) the mental and physical health of all individuals involved;

        (6) the physical violence or threat of physical violence by the child's potential custodian, whether directed against the child or directed against another person;

        (7) the occurrence of ongoing abuse as defined in Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, whether directed against the child or directed against another person; and

        (8) the willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child.

    In the case of a custody proceeding in which a stepparent has standing under Section 601, it is presumed to be in the best interest of the minor child that the natural parent have the custody of the minor child unless the presumption is rebutted by the stepparent.

    (b) The court shall not consider conduct of a present or proposed custodian that does not affect his relationship to the child.

    (c) Unless the court finds the occurrence of ongoing abuse as defined in Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, the court shall presume that the maximum involvement and cooperation of both parents regarding the physical, mental, moral, and emotional well-being of their child is in the best interest of the child.  There shall be no presumption in favor of or against joint custody.

 

8. Joint custody
(750 ILCS 5/602.1) 

    (a) The dissolution of marriage, the declaration of invalidity of marriage, the legal separation of the parents, or the parents living separate and apart shall not diminish parental powers, rights, and responsibilities except as the court for good reason may determine under the standards of Section 602.

     (b) Upon the application of either or both parents, or upon its own motion, the court shall consider an award of joint custody.  Joint custody means custody determined pursuant to a Joint Parenting Agreement or a Joint  Parenting Order.  In such cases, the court shall initially request the parents to produce a Joint Parenting Agreement.  Such Agreement shall specify each parent's powers, rights and responsibilities for the personal care of the child and for major decisions such as education, health care, and religious training.  The Agreement shall further specify a procedure by which proposed changes, disputes and alleged breaches may be mediated or otherwise resolved and shall provide for a periodic review of its terms by the parents.  In producing a Joint Parenting Agreement, the parents shall be flexible in arriving at resolutions which further the policy of this State as expressed in Sections 102 and 602.  For the purpose of assisting the court in making a determination whether an award of joint custody is appropriate, the court may order mediation and may direct that an investigation be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 605. If there is a danger to the health or safety of a partner, joint mediation shall not be required by the court In the event the parents fail to produce a Joint Parenting Agreement, the court may enter an appropriate Joint Parenting Order under the standards of Section 602 which shall specify and contain the same elements as a Joint Parenting Agreement, or it may award sole custody under the standards of Sections 602, 607, and 608.

    (c) The court may enter an order of joint custody if it determines that joint custody would be in the best interests of the child, taking into account the following:

        (1) the ability of the parents to cooperate effectively and consistently in matters that directly affect the joint parenting of the child.  "Ability of the parents to cooperate" means the parents' capacity to substantially comply with a Joint Parenting Order.  The court shall not consider the inability of the parents to cooperate effectively and consistently in matters that do not directly affect the joint parenting of the child;

        (2) The residential circumstances of each parent; and

        (3) all other factors which may be relevant to the best interest of the child.

    (d) Nothing within this section shall imply or presume that joint custody shall necessarily mean equal parenting time.  The physical residence of the child in joint custodial situations shall be determined by:

        (1) express agreement of the parties; or

        (2) order of the court under the standards of this Section.

    (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, access to records and information pertaining to a child, including but not limited to medical, dental, child care and school records, shall not be denied to a parent for the reason that such parent is not the child's custodial parent; however, no parent shall have access to the school records of a child if the parent is prohibited by an order of protection from inspecting or obtaining such records pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, as now or hereafter amended.

 

9. Visitation
(750 ILCS 5/607) 

    (a) A parent not granted custody of the child is entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would endanger seriously the child's physical, mental, moral or emotional health.  If the custodian's street address is not identified, pursuant to Section 708, the court shall require the parties to identify reasonable alternative arrangements for visitation by a non-custodial parent, including but not limited to visitation of the minor child at the residence of another person or at a local public or private facility.

 

* * *

    (b)(2)(A) A petition for visitation privileges shall not be filed pursuant to this subsection (b) by the parents or grandparents of a putative father if the paternity of the putative father has not been legally established.

             (B) A petition for visitation privileges may not be filed under this subsection (b) if the child who is the subject of the grandparents' or great-grandparents' petition has been voluntarily surrendered by the parent or parents, except for a surrender to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or a foster care facility, or has been previously adopted by an individual or individuals who are not related to the biological parents of the child or is the subject of a pending adoption petition by an individual or individuals who are not related to the biological parents of the child.

    (c) The court may modify an order granting or denying visitation rights of a parent whenever modification would serve the best interest of the child; but the court shall not restrict a parent's visitation rights unless it finds that the visitation would endanger seriously the child's physical, mental, moral or emotional health.

 

* * *

    (d) If any court has entered an order prohibiting a non-custodial parent of a child from any contact with a child or restricting the non-custodial parent's contact with the child, the following provisions shall apply:

        (1) If an order has been entered granting visitation privileges with the child to a grandparent or great-grandparent who is related to the child through the non-custodial parent, the visitation privileges of the grandparent or great-grandparent may be revoked if:

            (i) a court has entered an order prohibiting the non-custodial parent from any contact with the child, and the grandparent or great-grandparent is found to have used his or her visitation privileges to facilitate contact between the child and the non-custodial parent; or

            (ii) a court has entered an order restricting the non-custodial parent's contact with the child, and the grandparent or great-grandparent is found to have used his or her visitation privileges to facilitate contact between the child and the non-custodial parent in a manner that violates the terms of the order restricting the non-custodial parent's contact with the child.

        Nothing in this subdivision (1) limits the authority of the court to enforce its orders in any manner permitted by law.

grandparent or great-grandparent who is related to the child through the non-custodial parent shall contain the following provision:

        "If the (grandparent or great-grandparent, whichever is applicable) who has been granted visitation privileges under this order uses the visitation privileges to facilitate contact between the child and the child's non-custodial parent, the visitation privileges granted under this order shall be permanently revoked."

            (2) Any order granting visitation privileges with the child to a (e) No parent, not granted custody of the child, or grandparent, or great-grandparent, or stepparent, or sibling of any minor child, convicted of any offense involving an illegal sex act perpetrated upon a victim less than 18 years of age including but not limited to offenses for violations of Article 12 of the Criminal Code of 1961, is entitled to visitation rights while incarcerated or while on parole, probation, conditional discharge, periodic imprisonment, or mandatory supervised release for that offense, and upon discharge from incarceration for a misdemeanor offense or upon discharge from parole, probation, conditional discharge, periodic imprisonment, or mandatory supervised release for a felony offense, visitation shall be denied until the person successfully completes a treatment program approved by the court.

    (f) Unless the court determines, after considering all relevant factors, including but not limited to those set forth in Section 602(a), that it would be in the best interests of the child to allow visitation, the court shall not enter an order providing visitation rights and pursuant to a motion to modify visitation shall revoke visitation rights previously granted to any person who would otherwise be entitled to petition for visitation rights under this Section who has been convicted of first degree murder of the parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling of the child who is the subject of the order.  Until an order is entered pursuant to this subsection, no person shall visit, with the child present, a person who has been convicted of first degree murder of the parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling of the child without the consent of the child's parent, other than a parent convicted of first degree murder as set forth herein, or legal guardian.

    (g) If an order has been entered limiting, for cause, a minor child's contact or visitation with a grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling on the grounds that it was in the best interest of the child to do so, that order may be modified only upon a showing of a substantial change in circumstances occurring subsequent to the entry of the order with proof by clear and convincing evidence that modification is in the best interest of the minor child.

 

10. Enforcement of visitation orders; visitation abuse
(750 ILCS 5/607.1)
 

    (a) The circuit court shall provide an expedited procedure for enforcement of court ordered visitation in cases of visitation abuse. Visitation abuse occurs when a party has willfully and without justification:  (1) denied another party visitation as set forth by the court; or (2) exercised his or her visitation rights in a manner that is harmful to the child or child's custodian.

* * *

    (c) After hearing all of the evidence, the court may order one or more of the following:

        (1) Modification of the visitation order to specifically outline periods of visitation or restrict visitation as provided by law.

        (2) Supervised visitation with a third party or public agency.

        (3) Make up visitation of the same time period, such as weekend for weekend, holiday for holiday.

        (4) Counseling or mediation, except in cases where there is evidence of domestic violence, as defined in Section 1 of the Domestic Violence Shelters Act, occurring between the parties.

        (5) Other appropriate relief deemed equitable.

    (d) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to limit the court's contempt power, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Section.

* * *

11. Leave to remove children (children being moved to another state)

(750 ILCS 5/609) 

    (a) The court may grant leave, before or after judgment, to any party having custody of any minor child or children to remove such child or children from Illinois whenever such approval is in the best interests of such child or children.  The burden of proving that such removal is in the best interests of such child or children is on the party seeking the removal.  When such removal is permitted, the court may require the party removing such child or children from Illinois to give reasonable security guaranteeing the return of such children.

    (b) Before a minor child is temporarily removed from Illinois, the parent responsible for the removal shall inform the other parent, or the other parent's attorney, of the address and telephone number where the child may be reached during the period of temporary removal, and the date on which the child shall return to Illinois.

    The State of Illinois retains jurisdiction when the minor child is absent from the State pursuant to this subsection.

12. Modification of custody
(750 ILCS 5/610) 

    (a) Unless by stipulation of the parties, no motion to modify a custody judgment may be made earlier than 2 years after its date, unless the court permits it to be made on the basis of affidavits that there is reason to believe the child's present environment may endanger seriously his physical, mental, moral or emotional health.

    (b) The court shall not modify a prior custody judgment unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence, upon the basis of facts that have arisen since the prior judgment or that were unknown to the court at the time of entry of the prior judgment, that a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or his custodian, or in the case of a joint custody arrangement that a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or either or both parties having custody, and that the modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the child.  In the case of joint custody, if the parties agree to a termination of a joint custody arrangement, the court shall so terminate the joint custody and make any modification which is in the child's best interest.  The court shall state in its decision specific findings of fact in support of its modification or termination of joint custody if either parent opposes the modification or termination.

    (c) Attorney fees and costs shall be assessed against a party seeking modification if the court finds that the modification action is vexatious and constitutes harassment.

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