Parenting Time Schedules in Illinois

Illinois does not use the word “custody” in its family law statutes. Since the 2016 reform of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), courts refer to “allocation of parenting time” instead. If you are going through a divorce or separation in Illinois, understanding how parenting time works under 750 ILCS 5/602.7 is essential for protecting your relationship with your children.

Parenting time determines when each parent has physical care of the child. It is distinct from significant decision-making responsibility, which covers major decisions about education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities. This article focuses on how Illinois courts establish parenting time schedules, what factors they consider, and the specific arrangements that are common in Illinois cases.

How Illinois Courts Determine Parenting Time

Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, the court must allocate parenting time according to the child’s best interests. Illinois law lists 17 specific factors the court must consider, including:

• The wishes of each parent. The court evaluates what each parent is requesting and why.
• The wishes of the child. Depending on the child’s age and maturity, the court may consider their preferences.
• The amount of time each parent spent performing caretaking functions during the prior two years, or since the child’s birth if the child is under two.
• Any prior agreement between the parents regarding caretaking functions.
• The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community.
• The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.
• The distance between the parents’ residences and the practical implications for parenting time.
• Whether a restriction on parenting time is appropriate due to abuse, neglect, or other concerns addressed in Section 603.10.

The court also considers each parent’s willingness to facilitate a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent. A parent who obstructs the other parent’s time or attempts to alienate the child risks a less favorable allocation.

Standard Parenting Time Schedules

While no single schedule is mandated by Illinois law, certain arrangements are common across the state’s courts.

Alternating weekends with midweek time. One parent has the child most of the time, with the other parent receiving every other weekend (Friday evening to Sunday evening) plus one or two midweek overnights. This is often used when one parent has been the primary caretaker or when the parents live far enough apart that daily transitions are impractical.

The 5-2-2-5 schedule. Each parent has the child for the same two weekdays every week, and weekends alternate. For example, Parent A always has Monday and Tuesday nights, Parent B always has Wednesday and Thursday nights, and weekends rotate. This provides consistency for younger children who benefit from a predictable routine.

The 2-2-3 schedule. Parents alternate two days, two days, and a three-day weekend. This results in roughly equal parenting time and means neither parent goes more than three days without seeing the child. It works best when parents live close to each other and can manage frequent transitions.

Week-on, week-off (7-7). Each parent has the child for a full week at a time. This schedule is common for older children and teenagers and reduces the number of transitions. Courts may pair this with a midweek dinner or overnight with the off-duty parent to prevent long stretches without contact.

Equal Parenting Time Arrangements

Illinois law does not contain a presumption of equal parenting time, but courts do allocate equal or near-equal time in many cases. Equal parenting time is more likely when:

• Both parents have been actively involved in the child’s daily care
• The parents live in close geographic proximity, ideally within the same school district
• The child is old enough to handle frequent transitions
• Both parents have work schedules that accommodate shared care

If you are seeking equal parenting time, you will need to present evidence that this arrangement serves the child’s best interests — not merely that it is fair to the parents. Courts focus on the child’s stability, routine, and relationships, not on equal treatment of the adults.

Holiday and Vacation Schedules

Illinois parenting plans must address holidays, school breaks, and summer vacation. Most plans in Illinois follow a structure where holidays alternate annually or are divided into specific assignments.

Common holiday allocations include:

• Thanksgiving and spring break alternating each year between parents
• Winter break split, with one parent having the first half (including Christmas Eve) in even years and the second half (including Christmas Day and New Year’s) in odd years, then reversing
• Summer vacation divided into blocks, often two or three consecutive weeks per parent, with advance notice requirements for travel plans
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day spent with the respective parent regardless of the regular schedule
• The child’s birthday handled either by alternating years or by guaranteeing each parent time on or near the birthday

Holiday schedules override the regular parenting time schedule. Illinois courts expect both parents to cooperate on holiday exchanges, and the parenting plan should specify exact times and locations for transitions.

Right of First Refusal

Many Illinois parenting plans include a right of first refusal provision. This means that if the parent who has the child needs to arrange alternative care for a specified period — typically four or more consecutive hours — they must first offer that time to the other parent before using a babysitter, relative, or other caregiver.

The right of first refusal is not required by Illinois law, but courts frequently include it. The specific time threshold is negotiable. Some plans set it at four hours, others at eight or more. A threshold that is too low (such as one or two hours) can create logistical friction and increase conflict.

If included, the provision should specify how the offer must be communicated (text, email, or phone), how quickly the other parent must respond, and what happens if they decline or fail to respond.

Virtual Parenting Time

Illinois law recognizes virtual parenting time — communication between a parent and child through phone calls, video calls, texting, email, or other electronic means. Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, the court may allocate virtual parenting time in addition to in-person time.

Virtual parenting time is especially important in cases where:

• The parents live far apart and in-person time is limited
• A parent travels frequently for work
• The child is old enough to engage meaningfully through technology

The parenting plan should specify the frequency and method of virtual contact, who initiates the call, and reasonable time windows. Courts expect both parents to facilitate virtual parenting time and not to monitor, record, or interfere with the other parent’s calls.

The Parenting Plan Requirement

Illinois requires both parents to submit a proposed parenting plan within 120 days of serving the petition for dissolution. The parenting plan must address:

• Allocation of significant decision-making responsibilities
• Each parent’s parenting time schedule, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and vacations
• A method for resolving future disputes (such as mediation before returning to court)
• Transportation arrangements for exchanges
• Communication protocols between the parents and between each parent and the child
• Right of first refusal, if applicable

If the parents agree on a plan, the court will typically approve it. If they cannot agree, the court will create a schedule based on the best interest factors after hearing evidence from both sides. For more on how parenting plans work nationally, see our guide on creating a parenting plan.

What to Do Next

If you are navigating a parenting time dispute in Illinois, take these steps:

1. Understand the terminology. Illinois uses “parenting time” and “allocation of parental responsibilities,” not “custody” and “visitation.” Using the correct terms in your filings and communications matters.
2. Document your involvement. Keep records of the time you spend with your children, school events you attend, medical appointments you handle, and daily caretaking tasks you perform.
3. Propose a specific schedule. Courts want to see a detailed, workable plan — not a vague request for “reasonable time.”
4. Consider your child’s routine. The schedule that works best is the one that supports the child’s school, activities, friendships, and overall stability.
5. Consult an Illinois family law attorney. Parenting time cases turn on the specific facts and the court’s application of the 17 best interest factors. Schedule a consultation with an attorney who practices in your Illinois county to build the strongest case for your proposed schedule.