 In the two years since the program started, the Department of
Healthcare and Family Services has collected over $570,000 for
Illinois families. Over 13,000 hunting licenses and fishing permits
have been denied to applicants with outstanding child support
balances."While most parents do provide financial support for
their children, this program is a strong deterrent for those who
don't," said Barry S. Maram, director of the Department of
Healthcare and Family Services. "I would like to thank our
colleagues at the Department of Natural Resources for their part in
helping us collect money owed to Illinois families. Our goal is not
to punish people by taking away recreational privileges, but to work
with all parents to help them give their children the support they
deserve."
Parents are encouraged to review and meet any child support
obligations they may have before applying for a hunting or fishing
license or permit. Technology administered through the Department of
Natural Resources allows the Department of Healthcare of 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.
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The program is one of several methods the Department of Healthcare
and Family Services uses to collect child support from noncustodial
parents. Despite the challenges posed by the current economic
recession, the department was able to achieve successful collections
though programs such as the Driver's License Suspension Program, the
Deadbeat Parent Web Site and the New Hire Outreach Program. Those
programs resulted in a record $1.38 billion being collected in
fiscal 2009.
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
Illinois Department of
Healthcare and Family Services
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
