Parenting classes by state · Illinois
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes in Illinois
In Illinois, the court-ordered parenting / parent-education requirement is the Parenting Education Program (Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924), overseen by Illinois Supreme Court (mandated by Supreme Court Rule 924), administered locally by each of Illinois's judicial circuits / county circuit courts. Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, and how to find a course your county circuit court (the family/domestic-relations division of your judicial circuit) will accept.
Quick answer: parenting classes in Illinois
Varies by court / county. Illinois has no single statewide curriculum or provider list: Supreme Court Rule 924 requires each judicial circuit or county to create or approve its own at-least-four-hour program, so both the class name and whether an online course counts depend on your circuit and judge. Cook County's in-house "Focus on Children" is in-person only (an online course, CIBO, is allowed only when the judge specifically orders it), while many downstate circuits accept approved online courses, often subject to prior approval by your assigned judge. your county circuit court (the family/domestic-relations division of your judicial circuit) decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is a parenting class required? | Yes — required statewide for divorcing parents with minor children |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | Both parents in essentially every Illinois divorce (dissolution of marriage) and parentage/custody case involving a minor child must attend and complete an approved parenting education program, to be finished no later than 60 days after the initial case management conference. |
| Typical length | At least 4 hours |
| In person or online? | Varies by court / county |
| Program name | Parenting Education Program (Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924) |
Illinois-specific rules to know
- Rule 924(b) sets a deadline: complete the program as soon as possible and no later than 60 days after the initial case management conference.
- Both parents (all parties) must attend and complete it; in most Illinois courts co-parents may not attend the same session and children may not attend.
- A waiver is granted only for 'good cause' — the court cannot excuse a parent unless the reason is documented in the record and the judge finds that excusing attendance is in the child's best interests.
- The program must cover parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibilities and their impact on children; individual circuits may add extra requirements, and the court may impose sanctions for willfully failing to complete it.
- Providers and format are set locally by each circuit's chief judge (e.g., Cook County = in-person 'Focus on Children'; Second Circuit = 'Children First' / 'Family Restoration'), so confirm the approved course with your county circuit court or clerk before paying.
County requirements
Because Illinois sets its parenting-class requirement court by court, the biggest counties run their own named program with their own approved provider and deadline. Here's what the court requires in these Illinois counties — always confirm the current rule with the specific court handling your case.
Cook County (Chicago)
Focus on Children (FOCUS) — Family Court Services (in-person); Children In Between Online (CIBO) accepted only when a judge orders the online option. In every Cook County divorce (dissolution) and parentage case, Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924 and Section 404.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act require the litigating parents to complete a four-hour parent-education program. The court's in-house 'Focus on Children' class is offered in person only, and the online 'Children In Between Online' (CIBO) course is accepted as a substitute only when a judge specifically orders it; the $50 fee is waived only by court order. Always confirm which program your judge will accept with the Cook County Domestic Relations Division before you enroll or pay.
Circuit Court of Cook County — Parent Education → · Sources: cookcountycourtil.gov/department/family-court-services/parent-education, ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K404.1.htm
Find an approved parenting class in Illinois
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one your county circuit court (the family/domestic-relations division of your judicial circuit) is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for parenting classes in Illinois — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Can you take it online? Whether an online parenting course is accepted in Illinois depends on your court or county. An approved online course can be the fastest way to finish — but confirm your county circuit court (the family/domestic-relations division of your judicial circuit) accepts your specific course first. How court-approved online parenting classes work →
Source & accuracy: compiled from Illinois Supreme Court (mandated by Supreme Court Rule 924), administered locally by each of Illinois's judicial circuits / county circuit courts and official Illinois court sources. Requirements change and vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: illinoiscourts.gov/rules/supreme-court-rules, ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/59713fd9-d788-4c8b-9800-237324108154/Rule%20924.pdf, ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K404.1.htm, cookcountycourtil.gov/department/family-court-services/parent-education, illinoissecondcircuit.info/community-directory/parenting-education-classes.