Pantagraph.com | News | New Illinois law targets wheels of deadbeat parents

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

marie057 wrote on Mar 3, 2008 2:59 AM:

" Anyone can call themselves a parent whether it's a woman or man, but it takes someone who can face up to their obligations and help provide support for them the children. My daughter married a man who has a support order and never has been made to get a job or been arrested for not paying. The child is 18 now! So they took my daughters taxes to pay for someone else's child because he has never worked a day in his life, that's pretty bad. They should throw away the key. Talk about useless even as a human he no good. "

Curious wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:05 PM:

" To what extent is this law going? I live in a small town, and I go up to the local court house periodically to check on the amount of support my ex is behind on, it is now over 20 thoushand. I want to know does the mother have to press the issue in order for the state to collect, or do they go by the court records? I have not persued getting support as protection for my son, as long as my ex is not paying, he doesnt press the issue of seeing my son. My ex is abusive and I never called the law so I have no proof, I am just wondering, if I dont persue this, will the state persue this anyway? And, if so, how do I go about guarenteeing my sons safety? "

Hello People wrote on Jan 3, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Everybody has commented on the parents. What about the children....ultimately they are the ones who suffer. I am a single parent who raises my child almost always without the child support that is owed to my child. My order is only for approx $450.00, that barely covers daycare and food. So for all you non-custodial parents that want to talk about the money not being spent on the child....you need to think again!!! Most not all non-custodial don't parents don't have the slightest idea how much money it takes to raise a child properly!!! "

mom2 wrote on Nov 27, 2007 10:01 PM:

" i know this article was written sometime ago, but i just found it. I am not going to bash my ex he has tried and has failed at lots, raising our child is one and holding a job, but on his behalf i will state he was diagnosed as bi-polar, and guess what my child is too. I have medical bills piling up!! He finally filed all tax returns!! yeah but the state says they have to hold them for 6 months, even after he called and asked the funds to be released!!! I think the state should not argue with parent who is trying to pay it!!!! we need the money for doctors and medicine to keep me and her off the welfare system!!! great state we live in! "

EconoGuy wrote on Nov 13, 2007 12:42 AM:

" let's get real, as Dr. P says: We have women in our community collecting thousands per month of "child support" and living in our highest-income neighborhoods while the dad lives in a dump. It's a form of thinly-veiled gold-digging with the Custodial Parent hiding behind the flimsy notion that they are some sort of innocent free-rider on "maintaining the child's material standards". Illinois is sooo backwards, it is one of only a dozen states left that still refuses to consider the income of BOTH parents in calculating child support. Even feminist-utopia Minnesota imlplemented reformist calculations this January 2007, while WoBeGone Illinois adhere's to their NOW-inspired last century formulas. Wanna change all this? Well - get active. "

New welfare system wrote on Nov 5, 2007 9:41 AM:

" The new way to get a free dollar is hit the bars looking for a man that is a good provider. One night stand is all it takes to get 20 years of paychecks. That’s for each kid. The choice of good provider may have been a mistake in many cases, that is why -YOU- get to pay. Stats for first births are 75% unwed mothers in America. We have what is called no fault divorce in America too. Stats for filling for divorce is 85% by the wife. So if you fail to follow what your wife tells you. You are dead meat. Then she will go on to the next one and do the same thing to him. Only 15% of married couples do not play this game and another 15% of singles stay out of it too. That leaves about what? 70% true players in the marriage and divorce game. If that did not scare the hell out of you I don’t know what will ! "

great idea wrote on Oct 31, 2007 12:24 PM:

" pay for your spawn so I don't have to "

To Bruce wrote on Oct 30, 2007 11:00 PM:

" See if I can break your statements down. First you identified two groups as they and us “When they don't pay their child support, the rest of us pay it for them in the form taxpayer funded benefits“ I take it you believe all non-custodial parents do not pay support and all children of divorced separated, divorced, or unmarried parents are supported by tax payers. You next indicated a non-custodial parent as a parent only if they pay to much “Are some parents ordered to pay too much? Probably“ you elevate them if they pay for there sins by way of restitution. Next you did the old Ask and answer “But is that an excuse for paying nothing? Absolutely not” sorry I object to your line of questioning and then you gave a little legal advice “Pay what you can and you will find both the courts and the child support offices much more receptive to your hardship arguements. But if you show up with a string of zeros in the payment column” believe it or not paying your child support will not help when in court the judge has no way of deciding when enough is enough. "

Bruce wrote on Oct 30, 2007 5:03 PM:

" I am a child support enforcement attorney. Before we she too many tears for non-custodial parents remember this: When they don't pay their child support, the rest of us pay it for them in the form taxpayer funded benefits. Are some parents ordered to pay too much? Probably. But is that an excuse for paying nothing? Absolutely not. Pay what you can and you will find both the courts and the child support offices much more receptive to your hardship arguements. But if you show up with a string of zeros in the payment column, put your head between your knees and kiss your backside goodbye, because it is probably going to jail. Is the system perfect? Of course not. No human designed system is, or can be, perfect. But collection remedies are designed to deal with the lowest common denominator out there. And believe me, some of those are very low indeed. So before you waste too much time and energy and sympathy over parents who won't pay their child support themselves, don't forget who is paying for their failure. "

Pantagraph Thanks for the story wrote on Oct 30, 2007 12:06 PM:

" This is hands down the number one issue into days world for divorced Americans. It is a question of liberty. Freedoms of liberty can not be taken from us with out a trial by jury of our peers. I question if the legislators and the governor may be trying to start a civil war. Should the government be involved in our reproductive rights? The 14th amendment should protect divorced people from being singled out. State of Illinois has denied the right of liberty to the divorced, ignoring our rights under the 14th amendment. We all should live under the same laws, all groups of people no one group should be singled out. Divorced citizens no longer even get to go before a judge let alone a jury. What have we become? "

Peggy wrote on Oct 29, 2007 4:04 PM:

" The custodial parent in Illinois always pays the price! My ex and I have been to court 15 times in 4 yrs, he has been found in contempt 2x for hiding income. He is now taking me to court for a reduction in child support and now he hasn't paid any medical bills for over a yr (he is supposed to pay 75% of them) He has a judgement for attny fees from me for being found in contempt....and I have all the bills and lack the support. But it isnt supposed mean he's a dead-beat???? COME ON~!! "

Happy Ex wrote on Oct 29, 2007 2:44 PM:

" Yes- I do agree with JD and PO'ed in situations like PO'ed and JD is right- a mother has to be found 'unfit' and there are PUH-LENTY of unfit mothers out there who are not found unfit. However, when I split from my ex and we went to do the whole visitation thing, I told my attorney I wanted him drug tested before he had our son alone, the man was a crack addict which is why I'm divorcing him. My attorney told me since he had never been arrested or in rehab, it's heresay. So he was granted visitation, your standard every other weekend, and I had to pace for 48 hours wondering if my year and a half old was sitting in a highchair watching his dad smoke crack. I'm happy to report that my son, now six, was adopted by his stepfather in June and we are all one big happy family "

A different side wrote on Oct 29, 2007 8:25 AM:

" Different perspective...I lost custody because the ex refused to communicate (check the law, this is all it takes). Her atty was telling her not to communicate and she would get custody + child support. Now, she is re-married to a guy with alot more means than me and still collects full child support - almost 33,000 per year after tax and constantly goes after me for more....nearly every year. I work extra jobs to cacth up and recover, she still gets child support on that and she doesn't work at all. I have the kids more than 1/3rd of the time and still have to provide for them at my house and pay 1/2 of ALL of their expenses. Because she has custody and I am present, I am constantly sapped for more and more $$$. The system stinks. No wonder Dads run away and hide...Stories like mine prove there's a financial dis-incentive for being a Dad who wants to be involved in his kids' lives. "

custodial parent cont. 1 wrote on Oct 28, 2007 11:15 PM:

" He's paid a total of $400 towards OUR son's college education and he's in his 4th year!!! He also owes us over $600 in medical bills and that's just his half that he's ordered to pay by the courts! Only way I'll get that is if I hire a lawyer and go back to court! Best part of our situation is that the asst. State's atty in McLean county actually TOLD my ex to have his child support reduced because our oldest was over 18 and out of high school!!!! IGNORE the fact that he's in college!!!! Ignore the fact that he walked off his well paying job without having another job!!!!! He does NOT attend anything that our daughter participates in as far as school activities and he's now thought of by her as nothing more than a sperm donor!! I DID NOT TELL HER THAT, SHE'S 18 NOW AND IS SMART!!!! When my kids are out of college and have good jobs, they will NOT share their money with him that's for sure, but they'll make sure that I don't have to worry anymore! "

custodial parent cont. wrote on Oct 28, 2007 11:14 PM:

" I have 2 kids, therefore 2/3 of the rent, water, power, heat, food and anything else for my household is theirs, therefore if I am using the child support to pay any of those bills in addition to putting them in school, buying their clothes, school supplies, haircuts, dentist appts, dr. appts and anything else they NEED, then it is being spent on THEM! Just because you used it to pay a bill doesn't mean it's not being spent on them! Booting their car will NOT help and it's another lame story that the state is doing something about child support, when in actuality they aren't doing anything to speak of. You're right as far as if a non custodial parent goes to jail then the custodial parent gets nothing, but if my ex were to go to jail, and his bail were what he owes us, his mommy (whom he's living with and not paying crapola for) would bail him out and he wouldn't be behind anymore! "

custodial parent wrote on Oct 28, 2007 11:11 PM:

" I'm a custodial parent of 2 kids and have a decent job. The ex and I were married for 12 yrs and he's the one who left me for another woman! He went an entire year without paying into the courts for his child support, but being the person I am, I kept track of the money he gave me directly for child support. When I finally contacted Rep. Keith Sommer's office and got some help about what to do, the state was finally involved. They do have his wages garnished now, but only from 1 job and not from the other jobs he works for either cash so that it's not showing up or for whatever reason do not touch those wages. He's behind almost $8,000 right now, which isn't as much as others, but it's still enough. He tried the "child support is only to be spent on the children" comment, but consider this for those who think the child support shouldn't be spent on anything other than them. "

To:MM wrote on Oct 28, 2007 10:43 PM:

" You seem to think that this law was meant to be a given that all you deadbeats will take these choices over paying child support. That goes right along with what is wrong with society today. I can pay and retain the freedom in my life or I can not pay and have the penalties that go along with that. Why would anyone choose to lose their freedom instead of just paying what you are legally responsible to pay? This is a wake up call. The law needs to be changed regarding the lousy 20% of net, that does nothing to bring up a child. "

MM wrote on Oct 28, 2007 8:18 PM:

" Nowhere in any of these comments does anyone address the obvious question: What the heck does booting a person's car have to do with child support payments? And how do you expect someone who has been deprived of transportation to get to work in order to make any payments at all? Complaining about not receiving child support is all well and good. But punitive measures that prevent the person from being able to make payments are beyond bizarre... "

Just what.... wrote on Oct 28, 2007 7:27 PM:

" ....are you people thinking when you breed with each other to begin with???? "

Big deal . . . wrote on Oct 28, 2007 6:05 PM:

" I heard this all before. Guess my ex wasn't a big enough fish for the government to go after because he's done no jail time, he's kept his driver's license & all income tax refunds that I asked for. 20 years later I still haven't seen a dime. This jerk can't remember our son's birthdays or even the youngest one's middle name. He practically ignored them when they were growing up, yet can't understand why the oldest boy hates him so much. I left because he was a drunk & an addict who couldn't hold a job & spent what few dollars we had on booze & pot. A few years after our divorce he was convicted of rape & is now a registered sex offender. Ain't this deadbeat a real winner? "

MRS. wrote on Oct 28, 2007 4:07 PM:

" Well Penny, if he gets disability social security (not SSI) your children are intitled to benifits too. If it is SSD go to the SS office. Hopefully you know his SS number but I am sure they can find the info if you don't. Your kids will get that money until they are 18, 21 if the child is disabled. "

To ME wrote on Oct 28, 2007 1:12 PM:

" I can not agree with you and JD more. Why is it the court (almost always) sides with the mother just because she has the right parts to give birth? CPS told me, physical abuse is the really the only abuse you can prove. Each child is different and the so called verbal, mental and emotional abuse I was worried about is hard to prove. "

to JD wrote on Oct 28, 2007 12:51 PM:

" Skewed is right. CPS wont even touch a case where mental, emotional and verbal abuse is present with the mother. Giving her a uterus does not automatically grant her the title of a FIT mother either. Why does the dad have to prove she is unfit.. when her actions tell us she is. "

my thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2007 12:03 PM:

" A lot of these comments are based on low level income or people not working at all. There are many, many divorces that are long term marriages with children that have had a stable life up until the father abandoned the family for selfish reasons. Usually it is to start another life and the ideal situation in the fathers eyes is to pay little or no spousal support and child support. This does not fit into their plan to life a carefree life from the one that was jointly created. They prefer to have all their money to support their new life and sometimes new family. They will hide assests and claim to be at poverty level when they have a well paying professional job and other sources of income. These new laws give these types of people a huge choice in how they will "GET" to live their life if they don't pay. "

Me wrote on Oct 28, 2007 8:23 AM:

" Non-custodial parents can petition the court to receive proof from custodial parent where the money goes if they feel their child is not getting what they need. Talk to an attorney. Also, each case is different - we shouldn't assume all custodial parents are moms - sometimes, dad is the one serving the child's best interest. "

Penny wrote on Oct 28, 2007 8:18 AM:

" While this is all great and wonderful, Illinois still refuses to extradite deadbeat parents who live out of state and have warrants for non-payment of support. My ex owes me just over $51,000 and lives in Texas. There's been a Macon County warrant since 1998. I've given authorities his address and phone number. He's been arrested several times in Texas, but released when Illinois refuses to extradite. He gets disability, sleeps all day in his camper, and parties all night. Blagojevich, stop making tiny little baby steps with this! Make a big giant leap with the laws and let's get these children taken care of! "

this probably wont work.. wrote on Oct 28, 2007 7:55 AM:

" i havent received child support from my ex husband for our 3 children in 12 years.which means basically he has never paid me.he doesnt have a license anyway.so how can this even work?yes, he has a car but its in his girlfriends name(yes he drives w/o a license).i will never see a penny from him and have given up ever getting anything.this state needs to just start throwing these deadbeat parents in jail.and leaving them there.wont solve much but might make a few of us feel better for awhile.. "

My x wrote on Oct 28, 2007 7:32 AM:

" tried to tell the kids at the beginning of our seperation that the child support money goes to them. I explained to the kids child support is to help pay for a roof over their heads, food on the table, clothes on their backs...etc. Oh yeah, the ex had over $1000 bill for gas and had his gas shut off for a year!!! This 'man' makes at least 2 x's more than I do and still can't pay his bills. (Our boys were old enough a couple years later to decide where they wanted to live and they were brainwashed to live with him). Because his income is way higher than mine, he pays child support to me for our daughter. I pay my own bills and am not on food stamps. He doesn't even have two dimes too rub together, has to steal money from our son. If it wasn't automatically taken from his pay check there would be no way I would get the child support. "

Same ole thing wrote on Oct 28, 2007 6:52 AM:

" Accountability and responsibility. The moral fabric of our society continues to spiral downward and here we have clueless politicians who think they have a "logical" answer? There are always going to be people who know how to "work" the system and there are always going to be family and parents who will "enable." If we are going to really going to HELP the child support situation, wouldn't our State's money be better spent on PREVENTION and EDUCATION rather than charter flights between Chicago and Springfield? "

I agree it can be bad for wrote on Oct 28, 2007 6:11 AM:

" both parents. In our case, I have an ex daughter-inlaw that does not work, and spends none of the child support on the child. She has taken my grandson on two drug buys, and then bought a five hundred and fifty dollar dog. My son and I are buying the things my grandson needs. She says the support money is hers, and says it's the only income she has. Of course she gets all kinds of government assistance. Oh she's a cute little thing and the judge will not even listen to any conplaints about the support money. Once again laws are being pasted without covering every base, and the state just wants the money, they do not care that the child is not being properly cared for. "

to: "why doesn't our state" wrote on Oct 28, 2007 5:37 AM:

" #1 if a person gets remarried, they can't count the new spouses income toward child support of a former relationship. #2 it's not just the dads that are deadbeats. I wil concede that the majority of deadbeat parents are men but, I also believe the figure of deadbeat moms is under reported. I am a single father. Every bit of child support I get from my ex-wife gets directly deposited into a savings account for my son for when he is an adult. I understand not all single parents have that option. I agree with "Big Brother" to certain extent. Parents who are receiving child support payments, should not be allowed to use that money for personal activities. I personaly know of a single mother who has used her daughters child support to get drunk and party with. The daughter isn't hurting for anything, and she was with her dad that weekend but, the fact remains her mom should not have been able to use that money for partying and drinking. "

to why doesn't our wrote on Oct 28, 2007 3:14 AM:

" state... is this question for real? Why should any of us pay for someone else's child because the parents. That is with an s has them and then don't want to raise them? That would be taking the money from the responsible payers and giving it to the irresponsibile so both parents can be more irresponsible. When anyone decides to have a baby (I assume they know what causes it) they should be prepared to raise it by themselves if necessary and not whine when they don't get support. Now if the person you are fiddling around with it doesn't work, doesn't want to marry you, is married to someone else, whatever, do you really think they are going to support the child you are probably creating? Life is not a fairy tale. "

I agree wrote on Oct 28, 2007 3:06 AM:

" some girls get pregnant to use the system. Why not? They get free health care and food during that time. They can live in a dream world up until they have the baby and give it to someone else to raise. It happens more often than you think. And these people are the ones who should not be reproducing at all. "

a better way? wrote on Oct 28, 2007 3:04 AM:

" If they aren't paying what good would it be to make it so they can't easily go to work? Seems like weekends in jail, garnishment of their wages (or their food stamps, welfare payments whatever) may be a better incentive. It is pretty bad when the government has to force a father (or mother) to pay support for their children. Maybe passing out free birth control/sterilization may be the way to go for these people in the first place. "

br549 wrote on Oct 28, 2007 1:37 AM:

" first of all, let me say i beleive than anyone should support their children whether they have custody or not. the state, however, is not helping those who are trying to pay by taking away their driving priveleges so they can,t get to work or by putting them in jail so they can't earn money to pay their child support. some are behind because they don't have the money to pay. what good does taking away their driving priveleges do then. if you put them in jail, it's a catch 22 situation. they can't get out of jail until they pay their support and they can't pay their support until they get out of jail. as i said i beleive in having to pay but you can't consider all situations the same. "

JD: To !! wrote on Oct 28, 2007 1:35 AM:

" Unfortunately, the divorce laws are totally skewed towards the mother. A father has to prove the mother is basically a threat to the child to get custody, and even then the mother will often get it back at a latter date after 'counseling'. It may take 2 to conceive a child, but the woman holds all the cards. She can choose to abort the child, without consent from the father. She can also choose to have the child, and hang the father out to dry for 18-21 years regardless of if he wanted the child aborted or not. In almost all case, the woman is also granted custody unless the father can prove her totally unfit. The father has little say and even less rights. "

yeah wrote on Oct 27, 2007 8:19 PM:

" to respond to J just because you give up parental rights later on doesnt totally get you out of paying. and also i CHOSE to have my child and he also CHOSE to take his pants off, it does take two to make a child so it should be the responsibility of both parties involved!! I have been raising my child for 11 yrs with very sporadic child support payments and work full time so when I do get a check yeah it goes for bills, food, gas whatever it needed at the time. "

to !! wrote on Oct 27, 2007 8:06 PM:

" If the woman was the one messing around...what is she doing with the children. That is messed up. The dad should get the kids and she should pay HIM child support. She was the one that chose to leave the kids for another man. SHe is the one chosing to ruin the lives of the children. That is JUST WRONG and HE should have custody of the kids. To this should b good.....your friend knows how to work the system... they know just little they have to work to recieve the benefits. I know a gal 3 kids..3 daddies... she knows if she works or makes a certain amount in a paycheck, the govt is not as friendly. It is called pride, which your friend has none. You however, have it... keep it. "

J- wrote on Oct 27, 2007 7:07 PM:

" if you don't want to pay child support, give up your parental rights. This is where the law is messed up: a woman can CHOOSE to have a child, but once the woman is pregnant and decides to keep the baby, the father has NO CHOICE in the matter... "

that could b wrote on Oct 27, 2007 6:05 PM:

" cont. Her main thing was "when i get the child support im going to buy me new clothes and sewing materail" i told her u cant live on that especially with two kids. All she says is i know. worst of all shes pregnant agian dont know which guy is the daddy the one shes with the and the one that she was with. Some government whats wrong wtih makin some work to show there kids that honesty pays off. Id work three jobs if i had to even if i had to do it to use the assistance that my tax dollars coming out of my checks go for its bull make them work and dont take everything from the ex its not there fault for the most part moms should work as well if they want child support. "

this could b good wrote on Oct 27, 2007 6:05 PM:

" my friend has twin girls shes 20 dont work doesnt really try to find a job i understand wantin to b home with the girls but its bogus how she can get wic link etc for not working. I myself am on wic at the moment but work two pt jobs to help my husband out he also works two jobs full and pt. I feel that u should have to work in order to get any of the benefits. Its not fair my checks support her to depend on others. Its bad enough shes not with her ex boyfriend the kids dad but is trying to get child support papers so she can live on it. "

Why doesn't our state~~ wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:54 PM:

" pass a law to skip child support and take a tax from every single or remarried parent, or newly divorced w/children from their pay and put it in a fund and divide it amongst women that are suppose to get child support for them to live off. Women will get the money and the men won't be able to avoid it. "

to another thought.... wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:52 PM:

" "you suggest 'if you STAY together and work it out....everyone gets by better." Yeah right...what about the woman who is in an abusive relationship. Work things out so the kids can grow up and be in an abusive relationship also? I was in an abusive relationship, I got out for my kids sake. And even if it wasn't an abusive relationship, still takes two to work on a marriage, one person can't do it alone. Thankfully I got out and my boys know how to treat women, and my daughter knows if she's in an abusive relationship to get out of it. "

To "P'OD" wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:50 PM:

" Contact the Attorney General and watch how fast you get an answer. We had to do that once, it worked and it was finally cleared up. "

somehow wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:18 PM:

" if LAWS & GOVERNMENT have to control this, it will not work, look around & see how well the laws & government work, on everything else... "

out of state... wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:08 PM:

" unfortunately, they can't do a darn thing if the non-custodial parent lives out of state. In my case, it's Wisconsin. He hasn't paid a dime in almost 5 years! "

Chris Chan Willians wrote on Oct 27, 2007 4:02 PM:

" I am glad that Illinois is stepping up their game to get deadbeat mothers and fathers to assume some type of responisibility for their children. It has been long overdue. Hopefully Illinois will continue on with getting who fathers who are not supporting their children and mothers that continue to have children who are irresponsible as well. It would also be a great thing that when parents who have court dates for their children and don't show up, the warrants that are issued for the missed court date are followed up on. I believe that the police should consider them the same as anyone else with a warrant. THEY SHOULD BE ARRESTED and the bond money should go directly to the children. "

PO'd wrote on Oct 27, 2007 3:35 PM:

" but the child support law IS unfair. I am a dad paying out on it, and since i changed jobs, i am yet to receive a review of the benefits paid every week. As it stands now, my ex is getting upwards of 80% of my net pay, which is leaving me completely broke - The state denies ever receiving any paperwork from me. I have filed in peoria court again 5 weeks ago and STILL have heard nothing. I have another baby who i live with that i cannot take care of because of this. I am being denied cash assistance and food stamps from the state because my "gross pay" is too high. Try paying your Ex $650 a month, when all i clear is $120. My car has been repossessed, my utilities are in jeopardy, and no one seems to give a crap - especially the mother receiving the pay. I am not behind - i am completely current. this has been going on for 6 months! "

JUST A THOUGHT wrote on Oct 27, 2007 3:35 PM:

" WHAT about the deadbeat moms that lay around bustin their buts working the sytem for a free living ( WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS, WICK, etc, ) from the GOV. instead of getting a real job & exerting the same effort for the employier. Why doesn't big brother send them out to get a job?? I do agree that any "MAN" who sires a child should be held accountable for it's raising, BUT, the mom was half of the conception therefore should also be accountable. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS. And I shouldn't have to pay taxes to support them. LETS hear you deadbat moms cry now! "

!! wrote on Oct 27, 2007 3:30 PM:

" If the women was messing around on the man when he was working and the women files for divorce, she should not get any child support. her and the man she was messing around with caused the problem and they should have to support the child. messing around when married is also illegal and the womman should have to pay the price. "

Just wrote on Oct 27, 2007 3:28 PM:

" keep your pants on if you are not ready to be a parent. It is that simple! "

........... wrote on Oct 27, 2007 2:18 PM:

" Accounting of what from the custodial parent? We can't get you deadbeats to pay anything so there is "nothing" to account for. We could continue to keep our records of everything we spend so when the child is a grown adult they can look back and get a very clear picture of who really took responsibility for their well being. The Illinois law should work to get up to par with real support. 20% of net is much too low in the world today. And not taking into account the time the non-custodial parent spends with the child is a huge issue. Hiding assests when the child support is set should carry severe penalties. In order to hide assests you are then lying under oath to the judge that you are telling the truth. All that gets swept under the carpet and the child still suffers financially. "

Happy Ex wrote on Oct 27, 2007 2:12 PM:

" My ex husband never paid a dime in child support, didn't work, didn't have a car, and lived with family members. I'm glad to see that the state is trying to punish deadbeat parents, but that would not have done anythign for my situation. Big Brother- i see your point for some situations. But as a single working mother, if I had to pay the power and water bill with child support money, I hope that would not be considered frivilous "

To Big Brother wrote on Oct 27, 2007 1:58 PM:

" Get real. A single parent who has been raising a child without any help at all from the other parent has been spending tons of their money on raising them alone for years... I have an 8 year old daughter and her dad has been absent since she was 6 weeks old, all she has from him is a blanket! We have never seen a dime. I buy her clothes, her food, her toys, pay for school books, special activities... It takes money to raise a child. So if I spend $500 in one month on things for my daughter and then later in the month I get a child support check for $500 and make a car payment with it, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT???? It breaks even in the end. It's not like my child would EVER go without in her life. These deadbeats who dont' pay or are absent in their childs life??? The LEAST they can do is send a check! It's not like they are driving their children to ballet, helping with home work and kissing boo boos! "

Another thought... wrote on Oct 27, 2007 1:57 PM:

" This is so sad, both for in debt dads and other parties involved. If you STAY together and work it out...everyone gets by better. Just a thought. "

to Big Brother wrote on Oct 27, 2007 1:48 PM:

" You act like custodial parents don't buy their children everything they need before a possible "reimbursement" from the non-custodial parent if they can. When you choose not to be in the lives of your children, you cease the right to get to make household decisions. Move on. "

Big Brother wrote on Oct 27, 2007 1:23 PM:

" Its easy to pass a law to punish fathers who are behind in child support. Not so easy to punish mothers that use the child support payments for thier own personal use. Child support should be regulated as to what the custodial parent may spend it on. College education funds should be mandatory and both parents should pay in to. Both parents should pay child support into an account and then draw the needs of the child from that account equally. An accounting of spending is also necessary. Its time the laws started holding the custodial parent accountable as well as the non-custodial parent. "

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