Knowledge is power. Whether you have a lawyer or are representing yourself (Pro Se) it is your responsibility as a parent to know your legal rights and responsibilities in the areas of child support, paternity, custody and visitation in Illinois. Child Support In Illinois (CSII) is a non-profit organization that can help you gain that knowledge with access to: Illinois Statutes, Rules and Regulations governing the Department of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) at both Federal and State levels as well as the knowledge and experiences of hundreds of Custodial (CP) and Non-Custodial (NCP) parents who have worked with the system and prevailed.

Support & Education for Custodial Parents: CP Child Support Group Paternity Support Group Custody Support Group - (coming soon) Visitation Support Group - (coming soon) FAQ - (coming soon) Support & Education for Non-Custodial Parents: NCP Child Support Group Paternity Support Group Custody Support Group - (coming soon) Visitation Support Group - (coming soon) FAQ - (coming soon) Support & Education for Community: FAQ - (coming soon) CSII "Deadbeats" List CSII Deadbeats Links Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement More Links Contact & Linking Information Contact Us HISTORY OF CSII A brief look at CSII's historical moments. 16 Apr 2005 Dawn Vlaicevic created a Yahoo support group for custodial parents (CPs) dealing with issues of child support. 14 Jan 2006, Teri Moncelle Colglazier became a moderator of the group to help Dawn provide education and answer the questions generated by a group of over 50 members. 16 Jan 2006, the first CSII website was launched, being hosted on a group member's personal website. 19 Feb 2006, CSII made local news with an article in the Suburban Chicago News. 22 Feb 2006, group member, Trayc purchased and donated the URL "childsupportinillinois.com". 5 Apr 2006, CSII received approval from the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization. 14 Apr 2006, the one year anniversary of CSII was celebrated with several members at a dinner in Normal, Illinois. 21 Jan 2007, Michelle Deihle became a moderator of the group to help Dawn and Teri provide education and answer the questions generated by a group of over 150 members. 22 Feb 2007, another Yahoo support group was created to provide education and answers to non-custodial parents (NCPs) dealing with issues of child support. 13 Jul 2007, the CSII Information Center was launched to provide community access to information on child support, including the rules and regulations governing the Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement program. 26 Feb 2010, a Yahoo support group was created to address issues of paternity. 16 Apr 2010, CSII celebrates 5 years of helping CPs and NCPs with child support education and information. Copyright Information Child Support In Illinois (CSII) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and supporting parents and the community on the issues of paternity, custody, child support and visitation. CSII is not affiliated with the State of Illinois or it's Child Support Enforcement Program. Content, Design & Graphics (except where otherwise noted) Copyright © Child Support In Illinois (CSII) 2005 - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site may be reproduced without the written consent of it's owners. Webmaster: Teri Moncelle Colglazier

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CSII In 2005, the dream of helping Custodial Parents who live in or have orders of support in Illinois, deal with the issues of child support, became a reality when the yahoo group Child Support In Illinois made it's debut on 16 April 2005. A testament to the quality of the help provided by this group shows prominently with most of it's members remaining even when their own child support cases have been resolved. The strong sense of community and accomplishment prevails as those members now help the moderators answer questions with accurate information and sound advice. This goal of support and accurate information has carried over into the Non-Custodial Parent Child Support Group which launched in 2007. To celebrate this five-year milestone, we have not only updated the website with a new look but we are expanding our information database and support groups to include resources on paternity, custody and visitation. As this expansion goes beyond the original child support arena, we have decided that using our "nickname" of CSII will hopefully avoid confusion when parents seek us out in these areas. CSII continues to grow in members, information resources and helping parents do what is in the best interests of their children during difficult times. We thank everyone involved for making it this endeavor a success. ABOUT CSII CSII's goals are based on basic moral values and principals. Our purpose is to educate custodial parents, non-custodial parents and the community about the issues surrounding paternity, custody, child support and visitation. We encourage all parents to learn their legal rights and obligations in these areas so that they can work with the legal system to provide the physical and emotional security every child deserves. Paternity Children with fathers in their lives are less likely to become involved in gangs and criminal behavior, more likely to graduate from high school and have a good relationship with their own children. CSII advocates the importance of paternity establishment whether it is via the signing of a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form or by genetic testing. Custody Parents have equal rights to custody of their child and CSII advocates parents working together in the best interest of their child in all situations to encourage a healthy relationship with both parents. Child Support Every child deserves the financial support of both parents. CSII advocates strictly legal avenues of child support enforcement and encourages the cooperation of both parents to ensure that their child's physical needs are met. Visitation Every child has the right to an ongoing relationship with both parents. CSII advocates communication, cooperation and flexibility to ensure that the child has every opportunity to enjoy a healthy relationship with both parents. Community Education Inaccurate information regarding paternity, custody, child support and visitation often leads to parents making unwise choices. Some common misconceptions are: MYTH: The court can't establish paternity if it can't locate the father. FACT: If you are named as the father of a child and do not show for court, request genetic testing or otherwise question the proceedings the court will issue a default finding of paternity which is very difficult to have changed at a later date. MYTH: The mother always gets custody. FACT: Fathers being granted custody or joint custody is becoming more prevalent as society and the courts finally begin to recognize that Father's can be just as nurturing and supportive as Mothers. MYTH: If the non-custodial parent does not pay child support he or she will be jailed thus rendering them completely unable to pay child support. FACT: While incarceration can occur in cases of chronic non-compliance, the imprisonment is usually such that the non-custodial parent only spends nights and weekends, thus allowing him or her to go to work so that jobs are not lost and he or she is still able to pay the ordered child support. MYTH: If the non-custodial parent does not pay child support he or she can not see the child. FACT: Child support and visitation are two separate issues and visitation can not be withheld on the basis of non-payment of child support alone. CSII encourages everyone to learn the facts and encourage friends or family members dealing with these issues to seek accurate information.

CSII MISSION & STATEMENT OF BELIEFS The Mission of Child Support in Illinois (CSII) is to educate Custodial Parents, Non-Custodial Parents and the Community on parental rights and responsibilities regarding paternity, custody, child support and visitation issues and to encourage parents to cooperate with each other and the courts in the best interest of their children. When cooperation fails, we encourage both sides to utilize the legal avenues provided by Illinois Statutes and in the case of paternity and child support, utilize the programs offered by the Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement. CSII believes that: all children have the right to constant and consistent emotional and financial support by both parents. all children have the right to the same or similar lifestyle they would have enjoyed had their parents remained together. it is the responsibility of both parents to avoid involving the child in disputes they have with each other or with the court. it is the responsibility of both parents to become educated about their child’s rights and their own under Illinois Laws and take an active role to insure that those rights are protected. it is the responsibility of the non-custodial parent to make every effort to maintain contact with their child. it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to make every effort to allow and encourage their child's contact with the non-custodial parent. it is the responsibility of both parents to abide by all the orders of the court. with education, knowledge and empowerment, both parents can make a positive difference not only in their child’s life but in their own. CSII IN THE NEWS Group Offers Child Support Advice Suburban Chicago News February 19, 2006 Dawn Vlaicevic is the owner of Child Support in Illinois (CSII), which was founded in April 2005. This group and its Web site were created to help custodial parents obtain knowledge about child support and how to get child support enforcement and use the enforcement tools that are available. With knowledge there is power. Vlaicevic's goal is to help custodial parents empower themselves by learning about the child support system and how it works and about the Office of Child Support Enforcement and other government agencies that work with Child Support Enforcement and the court system. Child Support in Illinois also gives informative links on the Internet and lists statutes on child support in Illinois. Vlaicevic wants people to know they are not alone in their quest to collect child support for their children. There are literally hundreds of thousand of custodial parents in Illinois alone that do not collect child support or only receive partial or sporadic payments. Some of this is due to the fact Child Support Enforcement is overwhelmed with child support cases and there is not enough manpower to accomplish this task. This is also due to the fact that custodial parents do not understand how important it is to be involved in their own cases personally. They must take responsibility to provide information on the non-custodial parent to child support enforcement, and know what their rights are. Vlaicevic said this is not a problem that only women face. Men are facing the same issues. More and more fathers are becoming the custodial parent. Deadbeat parents are not based on gender. Child Support Illinois openly invites custodial dads and custodial moms to its group and Web site. Teri Moncelle Colglazier is the group's webmaster and also is the moderator for the Child Support in Illinois group site. Vlaicevic and Colglazier have both joined together to take Child Support in Illinois to new heights this year. There is strength in numbers. Custodial parents must all ban together to make a difference for their children. They can do this by putting their hearts and minds together. Vlaicevic has a true passion for this group and Web site. She wants to make a difference. Knowledge is Power! Empower yourself today for your child's sake!