SB1753 EngrossedLRB097 00137 AJO 47183 b

1    AN ACT concerning civil law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of
5Marriage Act is amended by changing Section 604 as follows:
 
6    (750 ILCS 5/604)  (from Ch. 40, par. 604)
7    Sec. 604. Interviews.) (a) The court may interview the
8child in chambers to ascertain the child's wishes as to his
9custodian and as to visitation. Counsel shall be present at the
10interview unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties. The
11court shall cause a court reporter to be present who shall make
12a complete record of the interview instantaneously to be part
13of the record in the case.
14    (b) The court may seek the advice of professional
15personnel, whether or not employed by the court on a regular
16basis. The advice given shall be in writing and made available
17by the court to counsel. Counsel may examine, as a witness, any
18professional personnel consulted by the court, designated as a
19court's witness. Professional personnel consulted by the court
20are subject to subpoena for the purposes of discovery, trial,
21or both. The court shall allocate the costs and fees of those
22professional personnel between the parties based upon the
23financial ability of each party and any other criteria the

 

 

SB1753 Engrossed- 2 -LRB097 00137 AJO 47183 b

1court considers appropriate. Upon the request of any party or
2upon the court's own motion, the court may conduct a hearing as
3to the reasonableness of those fees and costs.
4(Source: P.A. 80-923.)