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If you are a party to any case in which custody of your child is an issue, then you are required to attend a Parenting Education Program. You must attend a Parenting Education Program even if you and your child’s other parent are in full agreement as to all issues concerning your child’s custody.

Download the notice and information form, which provides a list of locally available parenting classes and additional information on this requirement.

You are required to participate in Mediation if you and your child’s other parent are unable to agree on any of the following issues concerning your child:

• Custody Issues
• Visitation Issues
• Removing your child’s residence from the State of Illinois.

Mediation is an informal way for family members to resolve disputes outside of the formal legal system. With the help of a neutral mediator, the parties attempt to resolve their differences by negotiating their own mutually acceptable voluntary settlement. The mediatior does not make the decisions. Decisions are reached by the participants.

A minimum of three hours of mediation is required.

An Informational Notice Form is available concerning Required Mediation in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

List of Mediators

OTHER WEBSITES: Lake County, Illinois has Mediation Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

Below are links to help you search for an attorney:

• Illinois Lawyer Finder Site is sponsered by the Illinois Bar Association and is composed of attorneys who register for this program. They are not "free" lawyers, but will provide a "free" one-half hour consultation.
• Prairie State Legal Services serves the Ninth Judicial Circuit. It may provide "free" services or reduced rates for persons who qualify.
• Illinois Legal Aid may be able to provide "free" services or reduced rates for persons who qualify.

"The Law" is a combination of the Statues, Supreme and Appellate Courts Cases, and the Court Rules.

• The Illinois Supreme Court Rules contol Court procedures in all Ilinois Courts.
• The Illinois Law and Statutes are enacted by the State Legislature in Springfield.
• Illinois Supreme Court And Appellate Court Decisions and Cases are found at this site.
• Illinois Legal Resourses of the Library of Congress may offer additional resourses.

Knox County JusticeCorps is located in the basement of the Knox County Courthouse and is able to assist with civil matters. This includes help with paperwork, providing forms, e-filing, access to resources, and general help with your legal matter. This is NOT a free lawyer service and does not provide legal advice. JusticeCorps is a free service largely run by volunteers that seeks to help those without lawyers navigate the justice system. Contact: knoxcountylegalaid@gmail.com or call ‪(309) 323-0220.

In addition to helping you search for a legal aid attorney, Illinois Legal Aid may also be able to answer your legal questions.

Below are some links to general information and forms for your use.

• SIU Self Help Legal Center
• Cook County Court Self Help Page
• WIll County Court Forms
• Lake County Court Forms & Info
  
  Below are some links for JOINT SIMPLIFIED DIVORCE information.
• Lake County: Joint Simplified Divorce
• St. Claire County Court Forms & Info
• McHenry County Court Forms & Info
  
  Below are some links for SMALL CLAIMS COURT information.
• Lake County: Small Claims Information
• Lawyers.com

• Knox County Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center serves Knox County Illinois.
• 1188 West Main, Galesburg, IL
• Phone: (309)343-7233
• Fulton/Mason County Crisis Service serves Fulton and Mason Counties.
• 1330 East Ash Stree, Canton, IL
• Phone: (309)647-8311
• WIRC-CAA Victim Services serves 9th Judicial Circuit.
• P.O. Box 157, Macomb, IL
• Phone: (309)837-5555

 

Below are some links to information about domestic battery.

• Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Illinois Attorney General's Information

Below are some links to information about Consumer Fraud.

• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud
• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud New Car "Lemon Law"
• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud "Auto Repair"
• U of I Home Repair Fraud

The Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement offers Information and Free Child Support Enforcement .

Find helpful information for National Guard members, military reservists, and their families from the Illinois State Bar Association. .

Read helpful information for parents regarding Juvenile Court Abuse & Neglect Proceedings.

The Illinois Supreme Court has an online Juror Information Handbook for those interested in the duties of a county trial juror.
The Illinois Supreme Court has an online Grand Jury Information Handbook for those interested in the workings of a Grand Jury.

See the court holidays when the Ninth Judicial Circuit courts are closed.

List of Child Reps/GAL/Attorney for Child

Read the disclaimer provided by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Courts.