Standard Parenting Time Schedules and Court Guidelines in Illinois
Illinois has no standard parenting time schedule in its statutes. The plan or order sets it, and for child support shared physical care starts at 146 overnights each now and at 110 under Public Act 104-733.
Does Illinois have a standard parenting time schedule?
Not in the statutes. The court allocates parenting time on the child’s best interests unless the parents present an agreed written plan that the court approves (750 ILCS 5/602.7(b)). The schedule is set in the plan or the court’s order.
What are the child support overnight lines in Illinois?
Under the law in effect through December 31, 2026, shared physical care applies when each parent has the child at least 146 overnights a year. Public Act 104-733 lowers the line to 110 overnights, or overnight equivalents that a court counts, from January 1, 2027, and adds an Adjustment Table of 2% to 10% for a parent with 110 to 145 overnights (SB 3524).
| Pattern (other parent) | Overnights a year | Share of the year | Shared care now (146) | Shared care 2027 (110) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 of 14 nights | 52 | 14.2% | No | No |
| 3 of 14 nights | 78 | 21.4% | No | No |
| 4 of 14 nights | 104 | 28.5% | No | No |
| 5 of 14 nights | 130 | 35.6% | No | Yes, +6% |
| 7 of 14 nights | 183 | 50.1% | Yes | Yes |
| 9 of 14 nights | 235 | 64.4% | No | Yes, +6% |
These are our counts of a repeating 14-day pattern before extra summer or holiday nights.
What is the Adjustment Table in Illinois?
A parent with 140 to 145 overnights has the shared care obligation increased by 2%; 135 to 139, 4%; 130 to 134, 6%; 125 to 129, 7%; 120 to 124, 8%; 115 to 119, 9%; and 110 to 114, 10%, with the adjusted amount never above the basic guideline amount. The Illinois child support calculator applies the table when you choose the 2027 rules.
How is shared care support calculated in Illinois?
The basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 to get the combined shared care obligation, each parent’s portion follows the parent’s share of combined net income, that portion is multiplied by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent, and the parent owing more pays the difference (750 ILCS 5/505).
Is the 110-overnight rule already law in Illinois?
Yes. Public Act 104-733 is signed and takes effect on January 1, 2027, so orders entered before then use the 146 line and orders entered from then use the 110 line; ask a licensed Illinois attorney which rule applies to a modification you plan to file. Use the rules buttons in the Illinois parenting time calculator to see both.
Do overnights have to be counted by the night in Illinois?
The guidelines count overnights, and the 2027 rules also allow overnight equivalents that a court counts as a deviation or on agreement. The Illinois parenting time calculator counts overnights only, so add extra nights yourself if your order has equivalents.
What should a written schedule cover in Illinois?
- The regular pattern, with exchange days, times and a place.
- Holidays, school breaks and summer, and how they replace the regular pattern.
- The overnight count, so child support uses the right method.
- Transportation, communication and decision-making.
- How changes are agreed and put in writing.
What if the parents cannot agree in Illinois?
The court decides on the child’s best interests and the 17 factors. See the uncontested versus contested divorce in Illinois post for how agreed and disputed cases differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a standard parenting schedule in Illinois?
No statewide schedule appears in the statutes; the plan or order sets it.
How many overnights is the Illinois shared care line today?
146 overnights for each parent.
How many overnights is the Illinois shared care line from 2027?
110 overnights for each parent, or overnight equivalents a court counts.
Does a 5-in-14 schedule reach Illinois shared care?
Under the current 146 line, no: it is about 130 overnights. Under the 110 line from 2027, yes, with a 6% adjustment.
Who sets the schedule if Illinois parents cannot agree?
The court, on the child’s best interests.
Official sources
- 750 ILCS 5/602.7: allocation of parenting time
- 750 ILCS 5/505: child support
- Illinois SB 3524 (Public Act 104-733): child support changes
- 750 ILCS 5/609.2: parent’s relocation
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: income shares
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Illinois statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Illinois attorney.