On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Support on Monday, August 26, 2013.
A new Illinois law aims to help the state reduce the state’s $3.1 billion of unpaid child support. Under the new law, any time a person wins at least $1,200 at a casino or racetrack, those winnings may be taken to pay past due child support. The law became effective immediately.
When a person wins more than $1,200, the casino or racetrack is required to check the state’s database, which will be updated in real time. If the database shows that the winner owes past due child support, the winnings will be garnished and transmitted to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Darrin LaHood, believes the bill may help parents to receive up to $1 million of unpaid support during the first year of enforcement. A representative for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services said that the proceeds from the law would help reduce unpaid child support in Illinois. As such, the new law provides a valuable tool for the state to help get necessary support to families.
When a parent is not willing to pay child support, a local family law attorney may be able to help. There are many tools available to help collect support, including garnishing the parent’s wages or gambling winnings, placing a levy on bank accounts, seizing tax refunds, having the parent’s driver’s license suspended or suspending the parent’s ability to get or renew a passport. An attorney may also be able to assist with obtaining child support orders if no order is in place. After an order is established, if the financial circumstances of either parent change, an attorney may be able to help obtain a modification.
Source: CBS St. Louis, “Illinois Law Takes Child Support From Casino Winnings“, August 19, 2013