SB3524committee

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is backing legislation aimed at modernizing how child support is calculated when parents share significant parenting time.

“When parents share time and responsibility, our laws should recognize that,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This bill reduces unnecessary conflict, brings greater clarity to the process and keeps the focus where it belongs — on the well-being of children.”

Senate Bill 3524 would update child support calculations in cases where both parents are actively involved in raising their children. The legislation would build on Illinois’ income shares model, originally sponsored by Hastings, which shifted the state away from a one-sided percentage formula toward a more balanced approach that considers both parents’ incomes, the needs of the child and real-world parenting arrangements.

The legislation would refine the formula for shared parenting situations — ensuring support calculations better reflect the true costs and responsibilities of raising a child across two households. Senate Bill 3524 would:

  • Recognize the real costs of maintaining two homes for a child in shared parenting arrangements.
  • Adjust the shared-parenting threshold from 146 to 110 overnights to better reflect modern parenting arrangements.
  • Provide clearer, more consistent guidelines for calculating support when both parents are actively involved.
  • Reduce disputes over parenting time calculations.
  • Include reasonable safeguards for low-income and incarcerated parents.
  • Ensure support orders remain fair and within established guideline limits.

By creating clearer standards and predictable outcomes, the bill is designed to reduce costly court battles and emotional strain on families during already challenging transitions.

“Too often, families spend thousands of dollars fighting over formulas instead of focusing on their children,” said Hastings. “This is about fairness, transparency and lowering conflict so parents can prioritize stability and co-parenting. When we reduce conflict, children benefit.”

Senate Bill 3524 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.