{"id":373060,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-child-support-guidelines.html"},"modified":"2025-03-14T13:47:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T18:47:16","slug":"illinois-child-support-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-child-support-guidelines.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Child Support Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Child Support Guidelines<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Illinois child support is determined using the "income shares model," which calculates the payment based on both parents’ combined net income. This model, in effect since July 1, 2017, aims to reflect what parents would typically spend on their child if living together. Child support covers basic expenses like food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Payments usually continue until the child is 18 or 19 if still in high school, but can end earlier if the child becomes emancipated.<\/blockquote>\r\n

One of the fundamental rights of a child is to receive child support from their parent. To ensure this right is protected, states established a child support system to help determine the appropriate amount of support a child should receive. Every state’s guidelines are different. However, the guidelines often consider the parent’s income and the best interest of the child when determining the amount of child support.<\/p>\r\n

Continue reading for a breakdown of the child support<\/a> guidelines in the state of Illinois.<\/p>\r\n

What Guidelines Will the Judge Follow To Determine Child Support?<\/h2>\r\n

The state of Illinois follows an "income shares model<\/a>\u201d in calculating the minimum child support amount a parent must pay. The Public Act 99-0764<\/a> establishes the income shares guidelines, which took effect on July 1, 2017. It replaced the previous percentage-based model.<\/p>\r\n

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act<\/a> provides child support guidelines to assist the parties in determining the amount of support. It includes a table showing the percentage of combined net income parents living together often spend on their children. The Illinois government website also has a child support estimator<\/a> to assist parents in assessing how much support the court may order them to pay.<\/p>\r\n

In "shared parenting<\/a>," the fundamental child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5. Shared parenting means the child spends overnight with each parent for at least 146 nights per year. The time each parent spends with the child will factor into the child support order.<\/p>\r\n

Determining Net Income for Child Support Calculations<\/h2>\r\n

Net income<\/b> is gross income minus either the standardized tax amount or individualized tax amount, as well as any applicable adjustments.<\/p>\r\n

Gross income<\/b><\/a> is the income derived from all sources except the following:<\/p>\r\n