Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5544

Amends provisions of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act concerning fees and costs for representation of a child. Provides that: an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child representative's failure to submit a detailed invoice for each 90-day period precludes the collection of costs, fees, and disbursements for services rendered in that period; an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child representative may not bill the parties any fees for the preparation and presentation of an invoice; the court may not award lump sum fees to an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child representative; the court may not authorize payment of bills that are not properly itemized; compensation for an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child representative may be paid at a reasonable rate not to exceed $150 per hour; and that this rate shall be adjusted each year in accordance with the consumer price index. Deletes language providing that: the court may not order payment by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services if the Department is providing child support enforcement services under the Illinois Public Aid Code; and fees and costs payable to an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child representative are by implication deemed to be in the nature of support of the child and are within the exceptions to discharge in bankruptcy unless the court orders otherwise. Makes other changes.

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