Illinois Supreme Court Rules

              http://www.state.il.us/court/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_IX/ArtIX.htm
ARTICLE IX. CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS
PART A. RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION TO CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS
Rule 900. Purpose and Scope
(a) Purpose. Trial courts have a special responsibility in cases involving the care and custody of
children. When a child is a ward of the court, the physical and emotional well-being of the child is
literally the business of the court. The purpose of this article (Rules 900 et seq.) is to expedite cases
affecting the custody of a child, to ensure the coordination of custody matters filed under different
statutory Acts, and to focus child custody proceedings on the best interests of the child, while protecting
the rights of other parties to the proceedings.
(b)(1) Definitions. For the purposes of this article “child custody proceeding” means an action affecting
child custody or visitation. “Child” means a person who has not attained the age of 18.
(b)(2) Part A. Scope. Rules 900 through 920, except as stated therein, apply to all child custody
proceedings initiated under article II, III, or IV of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Illinois Marriage
and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, the
Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 and article 112A of the Code
of Criminal Procedure of 1963, and guardianship matters involving a minor under article XI of the
Probate Act of 1975.
(b)(3) Part B. Scope of Rules 921 through 940. Rules 921 through 940 apply to child custody
proceedings initiated under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and the Illinois
Parentage Act of 1984.
(b)(4) Part C. Scope of Rule 942. Rule 942 applies to child custody proceedings under articles II, III,
and IV of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
(c) Applicability of Other Rules. Applicable provisions of articles I and II of these rules shall continue
to apply in child custody proceedings except as noted in this article.
Adopted February 10, 2006, effective July 1, 2006.
Committee Comments
Special Supreme Court Committee on Child Custody Issues
http://www.state.il.us/court/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_IX/ArtIX.htm (1 of 19)9/6/2007 12:11:45 PM