New ‘accountability court’ helps child-support obligors keep up payments

Late last year, Chief Judge Dave Hylla announced the inception of Madison County's - and Illinois' - first "accountability court." It is designed to help parents who want to pay child support but are unable to do so because they are unemployed or otherwise lack financial stability. The accountability court has partnered with Madison County Employment Services, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office, and local community colleges to identify potential candidates for the program and assist with job training and placement.

Ann Callis, former chief judge and currently of Goldenberg Heller Antognoli, says that the program received an enthusiastic response from the local community colleges and major employers in the area, such as R.P. Lumber. The program is philosophically similar to existing problem-solving tribunals (e.g., drug and veterans' courts).

Hylla says the most important aspect behind the accountability court is that it is designed to assist people, unlike traditional courts that focus on punishment and deterrence. "A lot of times, people with a large arrearage amount aren't thinking about getting into court to modify the support order," he says.

Find out more in the April Illinois Bar Journal.