Providing for a child's wellbeing has always been the reason behind child support payments. Many people, however, feel that the formula used to calculate child support in Illinois is far outdated. This 1980s calculation uses a calculation that doesn't take into account both parents' incomes or how much time the child spends with each.

By changing the child support formula, most likely, many of the parents who had their child support calculated with the old system will not have their payments recalculated, since it would cost the state too much money. It would however provide a more accurate foundation for families going forward.

Changing the way child support is calculated would bring Illinois out of the dozen states that have yet to adopt the "income shares" payment formula. This formula would help ensure the children have the same amount of support had their parents stayed together and it would do away with the percentage of income way of calculating payments in the past.

This might also help calm the child support decision making process, because it clarifies that if a noncustodial parent spends more or less time with the child than the other parent, their payment would reflect that. The state is now waiting for economists to draft up payment tables that would determine who pays how much child support.

Child support will still remain a sometimes contentious issue between parents. If you are seeking a divorce where child support is involved, it would be wise to consult with a divorce attorney that is experienced in the Illinois child support system.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Illinois may alter child support formula," Bill Ruthhart, Dec. 30, 2011