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Report: $3 Billion In Child Support Owed By Parents

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A new report says non-custodial parents are on the hook for $3 billion in back child support to Illinois youngsters.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports, the tab has been running for the last couple of years, and reflects the state's current collection rate of 58 percent.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports

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A report in the Chicago Sun-Times attributes the problem to deadbeats, unrealistic court order setting support levels, and unemployment.

The paper quotes the Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Department's Child Support Services Division as saying 57 percent of non-custodial parents have no reported income, and 28 percent make less than $30,000 a year.

The state is working to have courts set more realistic orders, so the collection rate at least can beat the national average.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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