HB 4961

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that if parent files a relocation petition seeking to move the child and submits a sworn statement with documentation stating the parent's lawful status expires within 180 days and there is an inability or difficulty renewing that parent's status substantially caused by the other parent's immigration-status coercion or withholding necessary documentation, then the court must set the relocation petition for hearing as soon as practicable but no less than 30 days from its filing. Defines "immigration-status coercion"" as conduct by a parent intended to control or intimidate the other parent by: (1) withholding immigration documents needed to maintain lawful status; (2) refusing to provide information necessary to file or renew lawful status if that parent has unique access; or (3) threatening to report or cause reporting to immigration authorities. Amends the relocation provisions to incorporate immigration-status coercion as a criterion for the court to consider in a petition for relocation."