Family & Safety

Visitation means in-person time spent between a child and their grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, or step-parent. Visitation used to include time spent by a parent with a child, but that is now called "parenting time." 

In general, it is up to the parents of a child to decide who can spend time with that child. But sometimes, a non-parent can get a court order to force the parents to let them spend time with a child if the child is at least one year old.

Only the following people can get a court order for visitation with a child:

• Grandparent
• Great-grandparent
• Brother or Sister
• Step-parents (have the same visitation rights no matter if marriage or civil union)

Learn more about What a non-parent has to prove to get visitation with a child.

Illinois law also allows for “electronic communication” between the child and their grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, or step-parent.  “Electronic communication” means time that is spent not in person but on the phone, video conferencing, email, and other forms of communication that is not in person.  The court procedure to get electronic communication time is similar to what is needed to get visitation.

The court will not change an order granting such visitation unless clear and convincing evidence is presented, based on things that have happened since the order was entered or that were unknown to the court when the order was entered, that a change to the order is needed to protect the mental, physical, or emotional health of the child.