State denying hunting, fishing licenses garners $250,000 in back child support

[September 24, 2008]  CHICAGO -- Denying the hunting and fishing licenses of "deadbeat parents" has proven to be an effective incentive to getting some parents in Illinois to pay child support, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced on Tuesday. September marks one year since the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services teamed up with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to deny hunting and fishing licenses for parents who are not paying child support. In its first year, the program has resulted in approximately $263,506 of child support being collected for Illinois families.

"Parents who deny their children the financial support they need and deserve should not be able to enjoy leisurely hours spent hunting and fishing at the expense of their child's well-being," Blagojevich said. "In Illinois, if parents do not meet their obligations to their children, we will deny them the permits they need for their own recreation."

Technology administered through the Department of Natural Resources allows the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to cross-check the names of child support violators with everyone in Illinois who applies for a hunting or fishing license. If an applicant owes unpaid child support, he or she may not be issued a license.

"I am proud that by working with our colleagues at the Department of Natural Resources, we have been able collect hundreds of thousands of dollars for Illinois families. The success of this program contributed to our department collecting a record $1.33 billion in child support during the last fiscal year," said Barry S. Maram, director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. "Though most parents do provide financial support for their children, this program is reminding those who do not that there will be consequences until they start paying child support."

"Hunting and fishing are privileges," said Sam Flood, acting director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We want people to enjoy outdoor sports in Illinois, but we cannot, in good conscience, allow people to spend money for self-enjoyment before taking care of their financial obligations to their children."

As a result of the program, Suzanne Jackson, a single mother residing in Collinsville, was able to receive child support from the father of her child, which helped her buy necessities like clothing and food.

"I think it's a great program. If my child's father had not tried to renew his fishing license, I believe to this day that he would still owe that money. I think it's a great thing that the department is doing. There are so many fathers out there who do not like to pay, and I hope more fathers like to fish or hunt. I really did not think that I would ever see the money, and that money is for my child," said Ms. Jackson.

As a result of Blagojevich's introduction of innovative methods to collect child support from noncustodial parents, fiscal 2008 was the fourth consecutive year of record child support collections in Illinois. In addition to denying hunting and fishing licenses, the governor announced a program to suspend driver's licenses from parents who do not pay child support. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is working with Secretary of State Jesse White's office to suspend the driver's licenses of parents who owe unpaid child support and who, after receiving a warning notice from HFS, do not begin making payments.

Parents are encouraged to review and meet any child support obligations they may have before applying for a hunting or fishing license or permit.

Child support enforcement services are available to any parent who needs assistance in establishing legal parentage, establishing child support or medical support, or enforcing support. Some enforcement tools, such as interception of income tax refunds, are available only to customers of the child support enforcement program. To register for free child support enforcement services, parents must complete and sign an application. Applications are available online at http://www.ilchildsupport.com/ or by calling 1-800-447-4278 for assistance.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]