305 ILCS 5/4-1.7
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 305 - PUBLIC AID|305 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Public Aid Code.|Article IV - Temporary Assistance For Needy Families

 (from Ch. 23, par. 4-1.7)Sec. 4-1.7. Enforcement of parental child support obligation.   If the parent or parents of the child are failing to meet or are delinquent  in their legal obligation to support the child, the parent or other person  having custody of the child or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may  request the law enforcement officer authorized or directed by law to so act  to file an action for the enforcement of such remedies as the law provides for  the fulfillment of the child support obligation.If a parent has a judicial remedy against the other parent to compel child  support, or if, as the result of an action initiated by or in behalf of one  parent against the other, a child support order has been entered in respect to  which there is noncompliance or delinquency, or where the order so entered may  be changed upon petition to the court to provide additional support, the parent  or other person having custody of the child or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may request the appropriate law enforcement officer to seek  enforcement of the remedy, or of the support order, or a change therein to  provide additional support.  If the law enforcement officer is not authorized  by law to so act in these instances, the parent, or if so authorized by law the  other person having custody of the child, or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may initiate an action to enforce these remedies.A parent or other person having custody of the child must  comply with the requirements of Title IV of the federal Social  Security Act, and the regulations duly promulgated thereunder,  and any rules promulgated by the Illinois Department regarding enforcement  of the child support obligation.  The  Department of Healthcare and Family Services    and the Department of Human Services may provide by rule for the  grant or continuation of aid to the person for a temporary period if he  or she accepts counseling or other services designed to increase his  or her motivation to seek enforcement of the child support obligation.In addition to any other definition of failure or refusal to comply  with the requirements of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, or  Illinois Department rule, in  the case of failure to attend court hearings, the parent or other person  can show cooperation by attending a court hearing or, if a court hearing  cannot be scheduled within 14 days following the court hearing that was  missed, by signing a statement that the parent or other person is now  willing to cooperate in the child support enforcement process and will  appear at any later scheduled court date.  The parent or other person can  show cooperation by signing such a statement only once.  If failure to  attend the court hearing or other failure to cooperate results in the case  being dismissed, such a statement may be signed after 2 months.No denial or termination of medical assistance pursuant to this Section  shall commence during pregnancy of the parent or other person having custody  of the child or for 30 days after the termination of such pregnancy.  The  termination of medical assistance may commence thereafter if the  Department of Healthcare and Family Services determines that the failure or refusal to comply  with this Section persists.  Postponement of denial or termination of medical  assistance during pregnancy under this paragraph shall be effective only to  the extent it does not conflict with federal law or regulation.Any evidence a parent or other person having custody of the child  gives in order to comply with the requirements of this Section shall not  render him or her liable to prosecution under Section 11-35 or 11-40 of the  Criminal Code of 2012.When so requested, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department  of Human Services shall provide such services and assistance as the law  enforcement officer may require in connection with the filing of any action  hereunder.The Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services, as an expense of administration, may also provide applicants for and  recipients of aid with such services and assistance, including assumption  of the reasonable costs of prosecuting any action or proceeding, as may be  necessary to enable them to enforce the child support liability required  hereunder.Nothing in this Section shall be construed as a requirement that an  applicant or recipient file an action for dissolution of marriage  against his or her spouse.  (Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)