Friday, January 24, 2014

Right of First Refusal

The right of first refusal is now the law in Illinois for family law cases.  House Bill 2992 that went into effect January 1, 2014, amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.  The new 750 ILCS 5/602.3 specifically states that if the court awards joint custody or visitation rights, the court may consider, consistent with the best interest of the child, whether to award one or both parents the right of first refusal to provide child care for the child during the other party's parenting time.

For purposes of this statute, "right of first refusal," unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, means that if a party intends to leave the minor child or children with a substitute child-care provider for a significant period of time, that party must first offer the other party an opportunity to personally care for the minor child or children.

If you have been following this act you will have noticed that the final language is actually different than how it was originally introduced in the Illinois legislature.  Originally, the proposed change would have been mandatory on the court and spelled out that the time frame had to be more than four hours before the act was triggered. The statute that is now in effect at least leaves it up to the judge's discretion as the final arbiter of the best interest of the child in a custody dispute, but it leaves the "significant period of time" in which this child care would take place open to interpretation.





Best Regards, 

Jon D. McLaughlin
Bloomington Law Group LLC
Flanagan State Bank Building
2401 East Washington Street
Bloomington Illinois 61704
Skype: jmclaug2



Monday, January 20, 2014

Bloomington Illinois (McLean County) – Online Access

McLean County – Online Access


The McLean County Circuit Clerk and Circuit Court are pleased to announce that McLean County is now offering information on all open civil, traffic and criminal cases through their public access system. The link to the public access system is:


http://www.mcleancountyil.gov/index.aspx?nid=137


Please forward any questions or comments regarding on-line access to either Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk, or William Scanlon, Trial Court Administrator




Best Regards, 

Jon D. McLaughlin
Bloomington Law Group LLC
Flanagan State Bank Building
2401 East Washington Street
Bloomington Illinois 61704
Skype: jmclaug2



Saturday, January 18, 2014

Bloomington Illinois Grandparents: A Recent Appellate Case that may Affect your Custody Case

Dumiak v. Kinzer-Somerville

Illinois Appellate Court
 
Civil Court
Citation
Case Number:
 2013 IL App (2d) 130336
Decision Date:  September 12, 2013
District:  2d Dist.
Division/County:  Du Page Co.
Justice:  ZENOFF
Holding:  Affirmed.


Court properly denied grandparents' petition for custody following evidentiary hearing on issue of standing. Grandparents failed to establish prima facie case of standing, and were required to show that child was not in mother's physical custody when they filed their petition. Court cannot reach best-interests analysis absent a nonparent's standing. (BURKE and HUDSON, concurring.)



Jon D. McLaughlin

Message From Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb Regarding the Family Visitation Center


The Family Visitation Center, operated by the Children's Home & Aid, will no longer receive funding from the Department of Justice-Safe Havens Grant.  This will result in a reduction in hours and times of operation for the Family Visitation Center.  Additionally, when the FVC reaches capacity, families will be put on a waiting list.  Cases will be triaged for domestic violence, and Order of Protection cases will be placed at the top of the waiting list in the order in which they are received.  The Family Visitation Center will continue to be unable to service cases that have any type of DCFS involvement.


The new hours of operation are as follows and will be effective on November 1, 2013

Wednesdays   5:00 p.m.--7:00 p.m.

Fridays            5:00 p.m.--7:00 p.m.

Saturdays        8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Sundays           8:45 a.m.—5:45 p.m.

 

Families who are currently being served will be notified of the changes in the schedule.  None of the Family Visitation Center policies and procedures have changed, and the safety measures, including providing separate entrances and staggered times for drop off and pick up, remain in effect.


If there are any questions regarding these changes, please contact Marie McCurdy, Program Supervisor at 309-834-5206 on Fridays from5:00 p.m.---7:00 p.m. or by emailing her at mmccurdy@childrenshomeandaid.org or Meg Backas, Program Director-Family Support Services at 309-834-5259 or mbackas@childrenshomeandaid.org."

Now you Can Use Electronic Insurance Cards when You Get Pulled Over

You may have heard the good news that the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State recently approved the use of electronic insurance ID cards as acceptable proof of insurance.
You can simply saved an image of your insurance card on your phone and pull it up on the screen when you need it. So just take a quick photo of the cards when they come in the mail, and you are set!



Best Regards, 

Jon D. McLaughlin

'Netflix Adultery' Plagues 51% Of Relationships, According To Netflix

"Netflix adultery" refers to the act of watching a show "that was supposed to be our thing" without your partner, due to an obsession with said show and / or an overwhelming desire to find out what happens next. Side effects include having to fake shock in response to surprising plot turns and may result in trust issues. Netflix is currently investigating this phenomenon of rampant infidelity.

In a study of 2000 adults, 51 percent said they either had or would commit the act of betrayal. Of those who confessed to cheating, 41 percent reframed from sharing spoilers with their significant other. 21 percent admitted to watching the next episode while their partner was sleeping next to them in bed.

"Netflix adultery" can be prevented by obtaining a hobby, just going outside for once or picking up another TV show. Particularly addicting shows, like "Scandal" or "Breaking Bad," will increase your risk.


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Best Regards, 

Jon D. McLaughlin
Bloomington Law Group LLC
Flanagan State Bank Building
2401 East Washington Street
Bloomington Illinois 61704
Skype: jmclaug2


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