The Court concluded that Section 505(a) of the Act conferred authority on court to “order either or both parents owing a duty of support to a child of the marriage to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for the support of the child.” 750 ILCS 5/505(a). The Court noted in support of its conclusion the statutory factors by which a court judges when it should deviate from the statutory formula for calculating support, noting that nothing in the factors made the simple assignment of custody dispositive.

Based on these findings, the court ordered the father to pay child support to the mother, as well as making the father solely responsible for any medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance.Division Five of the First District of the Appellate Court reversed, albeit on limited grounds. The Appellate Court began by considering whether the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/505, gave a trial court discretion to award child support from a custodial to the non-custodial parent. Pointing to varying terms in the statute for the party ordered to pay support, as well as language referring to support orders directed at "either or both parents," the Court held that the language of the statute was not conclusive either way.

[author: Kirk Jenkins] The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that on the morning of Thursday, May 24, it will file opinions in two civil cases [pdf]:Bonhomme v. James, No. 112393 et al. -- (1) Should the tort of fraudulent misrepresentation be extended to a largely personal setting on the facts pleaded? (2) Did the plaintiff plead justifiable reliance sufficient to reach a jury?See Tort Law.McGrath v. McGrath, No. 112792 -- Are regular withdrawals from a savings account "income" within the meaning of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/505, for application of the presumptive 28% child support obligation? See Domestic Relations Law.