Is There A Law Requiring Persons Who Suspect Child Abuse To Report It To Authorities?

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By law, medical practitioners, teachers, social workers, registered nurses and law enforcement officers must report cases of suspected child abuse within 24 hours of the occurrence to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Can a creditor contact the employer of a person who is late in paying without first notifying the debtor?

No. Under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act, a creditor can only contact the persons employer after giving five days written notice to the debtor about the intention to communicate with the employer. Also, such contact can occur only if the amount is at least 30 days past due

My husband is doing drugs, and I cant get him to quit. Can I use it as grounds to get a divorce?

Yes, if he has been addicted to narcotic drugs for two years or more. If thats not the case, you may be able to use other grounds such as adultery, physical cruelty, mental cruelty and conviction of a felony.

Proving grounds is not always necessary to get a divorce. In Illinois, a couple can file for divorce based on "irreconcilable differences, commonly referred to as no fault divorce, and prove that differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The couple must live separate and apart for at least two years for the divorce to be granted, but even the two-year waiting period can be waived and changed to six months if the couple signs a special waiver.

If you have a legal question for a future column, send it to illinoislawcolumn@isba.org.

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations and does not constitute legal advice. For help with a particular legal question, please consult your lawyer.

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