Parenting Time
In Illinois, a non-custodial parent has a right to reasonable parenting time (formerly more frequently called “visitation”) with the child, unless there is some child endangerment issue.
Even if the parents of a child were never married, the non-custodial parent still has this right. Parenting time is decided on a case-by-case basis, and depends in part on how actively involved the parent seeking parenting time has been in the past. Parenting time may be supervised or unsupervised, restricted or unrestricted, depending on the circumstances. Ultimately, a parenting schedule will be incorporated into your Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. Or, if the parents were never married, parenting time can be set forth in a Custody Judgment, along with certain other financial rights and responsibilities.
Note: The primary residential parent may not deny ordered parenting time to the non-custodial parent even if he or she is behind in his or her child support obligation. Likewise, child support may not be withheld by the payor even if they belief they have been denied parenting time.