Child support payments are often necessary for parents to provide their children with basic necessities. In Illinois, child support is determined through a percentage of income formula, but state officials are looking to change that formula.

The current child support formula dates back to the 1980s. Some say the formula does not take into consideration the changes within families over the last thirty years. Illinois is one of eight states that currently uses the percentage of income formula.

Under consideration is a change to the income shares formula, a formula that 38 other states use. Some say this new formula is fairer for parents because it considers both incomes, as well as the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

The new formula would calculate child support by using a table that lists the costs of raising a child based on various incomes for intact families. Simply put, children would receive the same amount of money as they would if their parents were together.

Some argue the new formula would prevent child support disputes, but others see it as a waste of resources. Changing the child support formula could cost the state up to $3 million, and some opponents believe it wouldn't drastically affect families who are already making child support payments. If the change is approved, the new formula wouldn't be put in place for a few years.

However, one supporter of the change says it would give families a different view of the system.

Currently, more than 740,000 child support cases are in the Illinois system.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Illinois may alter child support formula," Bill Ruthhart, Dec. 30, 2011