The purpose of this Act is to create a Department of Children and Family Services to provide social services to children and their families, to operate children’s institutions, and to provide certain other rehabilitative and residential services as enumerated in this Act.
     It is the intent of this Act that the child welfare services herein provided do not release the parent or guardian from responsibility to provide for the financial support of their children.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 20 ILCS 505/1

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

     This primary and continuing responsibility applies whether the family unit of parents and children remain intact and reside in a common household or whether the unit has been temporarily broken by reason of child abuse, neglect, dependency or other reasons necessitating state care and training.
     It is the purpose of this Act to provide for determination for the appropriate level of support, from parents given their financial circumstances.