Co-Parenting in Illinois

16 verified resources.

About Co-Parenting for Fathers

Co-parenting programs help separated and divorced parents share custody constructively, minimize conflict, and raise children across two households. Most states require court-ordered parent education (often called 'parenting classes' or 'children first' programs) before finalizing a divorce or custody order involving minor children. These classes are usually four to six hours, available online or in person, and cost 5–$75. Private co-parenting mediation is available through court-based mediation programs (often free or sliding-scale) and through private mediators certified by state mediation councils. Digital tools like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses provide court-admissible communication logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and messaging — many family courts now encourage or require their use in high-conflict cases. This directory includes all three: state-required classes, mediators, and co-parenting apps.

Co-Parenting in Illinois

Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; downstate metros include Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria. Legal Aid Chicago (formerly CVLS) and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid cover most of the state for low-income fathers.

16 Resources

1. Cook County Focus on Children — Paid

Court-mandated 4-hour parenting education program required for all divorcing parents with minor children in Cook County. The Focus on Children program helps parents understand the impact of divorce on children and learn cooperative co-parenting strategies. Classes are offered on weekdays and select Saturdays at the Daley Center. Fathers must complete it before receiving a final divorce decree. Register with the Domestic Relations Division.

312-603-1540 · 50 W Washington St, Room 2600, Chicago, IL 60602 · Weekdays 8:45am-4:45pm; select Saturdays · Visit Website

2. DuPage County Family Center — Paid

County-run family services center offering court-mandated parent education, mediation, supervised parenting time, and the PEACE parenting class for divorcing families in DuPage County. Located in Wheaton, the center provides free and low-cost services. Fathers ordered to complete parenting education can register by calling the center. Supervised parenting time services are available by court order when safety concerns exist.

630-407-2450 · 422 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Court-recommended co-parenting app used in Illinois courts. Features include shared calendar, secure messaging, expense tracking, and ToneMeter to flag emotionally charged language before sending. Judges across Illinois regularly order OurFamilyWizard use in high-conflict custody cases. Records are admissible in court. Subscription-based with annual fees; fee waivers may be available. Contact support for pricing and setup guidance.

1-866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Phone support Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT · Visit Website

4. TalkingParents — Free

Court-accepted co-parenting communication platform with unalterable message records, call recording, shared calendars, and expense tracking. Popular in Illinois high-conflict cases, TalkingParents creates a permanent, timestamped record of all communications that judges can review. A free basic tier is available; premium features unlock call recording and PDF exports. Widely used when co-parents need documented, accountable communication channels.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

5. Center for Conflict Resolution - Family Mediation — Paid

Chicago nonprofit mediation center offering low-cost family mediation including divorce, custody, and co-parenting disputes. CCR charges fees on a sliding scale based on income, making professional mediation accessible for lower-income fathers. Trained mediators help co-parents develop workable parenting plans, share decision-making responsibilities, and reduce conflict outside of court. Call or email to schedule an intake and learn about fee options.

312-922-6464 · 11 E Adams St, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60603 · Mon-Thu 9:30am-4:45pm · Visit Website

6. Chicago Bar Association Mediation Service — Paid

Professional mediation service handling family law disputes including custody, property division, and child support for Chicago and Cook County families. The Chicago Bar Association's mediation panel includes experienced family law attorneys who serve as neutral mediators. Parties pay hourly fees split between them and schedule sessions at their convenience. Ideal for fathers seeking a structured, private alternative to contested courtroom proceedings.

312-554-2040 · 321 S Plymouth Ct, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Cook County Family Court Services - Mediation — Free

Free court-ordered mediation services for parents in Cook County Domestic Relations cases. Helps parents create parenting plans that serve their children's best interests. Sessions are conducted by trained court staff mediators in a confidential setting. Fathers ordered to mediation should bring a list of their scheduling needs and concerns. The goal is a written, signed parenting agreement that can be entered as a court order.

312-603-1540 · 50 W Washington St, Room 2600, Chicago, IL 60602 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Polish American Association - Supervised Visitation — Free

Supervised visitation and safe exchange services for families affected by domestic violence. Provides a safe, neutral location for court-ordered parenting time visits and child exchanges to minimize conflict between parents. Located on Chicago's Northwest Side, the program serves families in DV situations where direct parent contact could pose a safety risk. Call to request a referral or ask your attorney about court-ordering supervised visits here.

773-427-6345 · 3834 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 · By appointment · Visit Website

9. Illinois Parenting Plan Forms — Free

Official Illinois parenting plan forms and instructions required in all contested custody proceedings. Available through Illinois Legal Aid Online, these standardized forms walk fathers through the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time schedules, holiday rotations, and decision-making provisions. Completing a thorough parenting plan before court strengthens your position and can speed up the process of reaching a final order.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Lake County Family Court Services - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation program helping Lake County parents develop parenting plans and resolve custody disputes without extended litigation. Located in Waukegan, the program serves families in Waukegan, Libertyville, Gurnee, and surrounding Lake County communities. Fathers ordered to mediation by the Lake County circuit court should contact Family Court Services to schedule sessions and receive information on what to prepare.

847-377-3600 · 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL 60085 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Will County Court Mediation Program — Free

Court-based family mediation services helping Joliet-area parents create co-parenting agreements and resolve disputes outside of litigation. Offered through the Will County Circuit Court, sessions are conducted by trained court mediators in a confidential setting. Fathers ordered to mediate should contact the court clerk at 815-727-8592 to schedule. Bring your proposed parenting schedule and any documentation relevant to your custody case.

815-727-8592 · 14 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. Coparent.me — Free

Free online co-parenting tool offering shared calendars, expense tracking, and messaging features accepted by many Illinois courts. Coparent.me allows co-parents to coordinate schedules, log shared expenses, and communicate in a documented format. The basic tier is free with no subscription required. Fathers looking for a low-cost alternative to OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents can use Coparent.me to organize parenting time and financial obligations.

App/web-based · Online 24/7

13. Kane County Family Court Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services for Aurora and Elgin-area parents needing to resolve parenting time and custody disputes. Located at the Kane County Courthouse in St. Charles, the program offers free mediation for co-parents referred by the circuit court. Fathers ordered to mediate should call 630-232-3413 to schedule. Bring your proposed parenting plan, work schedule, and children's school and activity calendars to help build a workable agreement.

630-232-3413 · 540 S Randall Rd, St. Charles, IL 60174 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

14. Winnebago County Family Mediation Services — Free

Rockford-area court-connected mediation program assisting parents with co-parenting agreements and parenting plan development for Winnebago County families. Located at the county courthouse in Rockford, mediators help separating parents build workable schedules for holidays, vacations, and regular parenting time. Fathers referred by the court should call to schedule and bring documentation on their proposed schedule and any special circumstances.

815-319-4500 · 400 W State St, Rockford, IL 61101 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

15. Children & Family Justice Center (Northwestern) — Free

Northwestern Law clinic advocating for families in the child welfare system, helping parents maintain connections with their children throughout DCFS proceedings. The clinic provides free representation to low-income parents whose children have been removed or who face termination of parental rights. Fathers involved in child welfare cases in Cook County can call for intake screening and learn whether the clinic can take their case.

312-503-0396 · 375 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Family Focus — Free

Chicago-area nonprofit providing family support programs, parent education, and home visiting services to strengthen parent-child relationships. Family Focus operates family resource centers in Chicago, Evanston, Elgin, and other communities offering free parenting classes, workshops for fathers, and home visiting for families with young children. Fathers can drop in at local centers to learn about programs and enroll in classes.

847-475-7084 · 310 S Peoria St, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Co-Parenting — Common Questions

Is a parenting class required for divorce?
In most states, yes — a short court-approved co-parenting course (4–6 hours, 5–$75, often online) is required before any divorce or custody order involving minor children is finalized. Check your state court's approved provider list.
What's the difference between mediation and court?
Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party helping both parents agree on a parenting plan. It's faster, cheaper, and less adversarial than litigation. If mediation fails or one parent refuses, the court decides. Court-based mediation programs are usually free or sliding-scale.
Which co-parenting apps do courts accept?
OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are court-admissible in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and documentation judges will read if conflict escalates.
What is a parenting plan?
A written document (required in every custody order) detailing where the child lives, when each parent has parenting time, how decisions are made, how holidays are handled, how to resolve disputes, and how to handle changes. Courts provide templates; customized plans are stronger than boilerplate.