Prairie State Wire

Illinois is observing Child Support Awareness Month this August with a Family Resource Day event aimed at connecting families to child support services. The event, organized by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), will take place in Springfield.

The inaugural Child Support Awareness Family Resource Day is scheduled for August 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Salvation Army Community Center in Springfield. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to pre-register.

DCSS representatives will be available to provide assistance on various child support services such as enrollment, paternity, order modification, and income withholding. Legal services representatives from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, State's Attorneys' offices, and Legal Aid will also be present. Additionally, information on enrolling in the Illinois Medicaid program will be provided by HFS' Medical Division and partner Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

As part of its annual fundraiser during Child Support Awareness Month, DCSS has partnered with Feeding America to support local food banks across Illinois. Donations can be made online or at any Illinois Child Support regional office.

"This year, we're so glad to be partnering with Feeding America," said Theresa Eagleson, Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. "The Division of Child Support Services does vital work for Illinois families every day."

Bryan Tribble, Administrator of the Division of Child Support Services at HFS stated: "We want to be sure that families across the state know about the free services that exist for parents and children."

State Representative La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) commented: "During Child Support Awareness Month, we recognize and celebrate parents across Illinois who strive to coparent."

State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) added: "This is a proactive way for state government to engage with families in our community about the services available to them."

August marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Child Support Enforcement Program under the Social Security Act of 1975. In Illinois alone, DCSS provides child support services to over 357,000 families. In fiscal year 2022, approximately $1.18 billion was collected in child support for these families.

HFS maintains regional offices in Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Collinsville, Joliet, Marion, Peoria, Rockford, and Springfield.