The short answer
What Illinois families should know.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924 generally requires parties in child-related dissolution and parentage proceedings to complete an approved parenting education program unless the court excuses attendance for good cause. The program is a court requirement, not a finding that either parent has failed. Use a provider approved for the court handling the case.
Confirm the approved program early
Each circuit or county creates or approves a program. Before paying for a class advertised online, confirm that it satisfies the assigned court’s requirement. Check the format, language access, accessibility arrangements, registration process, and completion documentation. A general parenting course may be useful but still fail to meet the court’s specific approval requirements. Keep registration and payment confirmations so any enrollment problem can be addressed promptly.
Calendar the rule and the case order
Rule 924 requires completion as soon as possible and generally no later than 60 days after the initial case management conference. The program must include at least four hours of instruction. Review the actual case order for any additional directions. If scheduling, disability, language access, or another serious obstacle prevents compliance, raise it before the deadline. An excuse requires court action; simply deciding that the class is unnecessary does not satisfy the rule.
Treat completion as a practical task
Attend the full approved program and follow its participation requirements. Arrange childcare and a setting where you can focus if attendance is remote. The subject includes the effects of parenting time and allocation disputes on children. Use the material to consider communication, transitions, and keeping adult conflict away from the child. The class does not replace individualized legal advice or determine the outcome of parenting issues.
Provide the required proof
Obtain the completion certificate and deliver or file it according to the court’s directions. Keep a copy in your own records. If the other parent fails to attend, your obligation ordinarily remains; do not wait for joint cooperation unless the program requires it. Rule 924 permits sanctions for willful noncompliance. The court may excuse attendance only through the required findings, so any requested exception should be documented and presented properly.
Prepare
Useful next steps
- Confirm court approval before enrolling.
- Calendar completion and certificate-submission deadlines.
- Request necessary access arrangements promptly.
Avoid
Common missteps
- Assuming any online class qualifies.
- Skipping attendance because the other parent has not completed it.
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This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Laws, court rules, local procedures, and individual facts can change the analysis. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.