CIRCUIT COURT-FAMILY CASE-JURY

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Circuit Courts Act, the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and other Acts. Provides that the chief judge of each circuit shall establish a separate family division for the circuit for the purpose of hearing all family cases. Provides that the chief judge shall designate an appropriate number of circuit judges or associate judges, or both, to serve in the family division. Provides that "family case" means an action in which the court exercises its jurisdiction under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code (concerning the enforcement of child support obligations), Article II, III, or IV of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (concerning abused, neglected, or dependent minors, minors requiring authoritative intervention, and addicted minors), the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and other designated Acts. Provides for a right to trial by jury in family cases (except in an action for simplified dissolution of marriage). (Under current law, trial by jury is expressly prohibited under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986.) Provides that the court may order parties to a family case to undergo counseling as the court deems appropriate, based on the evidence.