SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois Child Support Services Program (ICSSP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of assisting families and helping children achieve financial stability and support. Administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the program’s mission has evolved to provide more holistic services, focusing not only on children but also on supporting parents and families as a whole.

Since its creation in 1974, the ICSSP has aimed to improve the lives of children in Illinois. The program has grown to offer services that support both custodial and non-custodial parents, helping them build a better future for their families. Under the Pritzker Administration, Illinois has taken steps to make child support more collaborative, including initiatives like the Family Resource Connections program, which provides personalized solutions and helps families connect to resources like job training and career opportunities.

One of the most significant recent changes is Illinois’ 2024 implementation of a new payment policy that ensures low-income families, including those who are current or former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, receive 100% of the child support payments made on their behalf. Illinois became the first state to adopt this practice, aiming to increase financial stability for families who need it the most. Additionally, in 2021, the program made changes to how it assesses and collects interest on unpaid child support. Instead of automatically charging interest, the program now allows the custodial parent to decide if it is in the family’s best interest to pursue interest establishment.