Article I. General Rules · Last amended 1992 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 100.11 keeps certain powers with a judge alone, including contested parentage trials, contempt proceedings, and Rule 137 sanctions, no matter what an administrative hearing officer recommends.
(a)Review Recommendations of Administrative Hearing Officers. The judge shall review
all recommended orders of an administrative hearing officer upon which parties agree and enter such orders as are appropriate as to all or part of the matters indicated on the recommended order.
(b)Conduct Judicial Hearings. The judge shall conduct judicial hearings on all prehearing motions the parties disagree with, the recommended order of the administrative hearing officer on any domestic relations matters other than uncontested child support and parentage matters, on objections to the entry of orders as provided for in Rule 100.6 and section 10 of the Act, and on any other matters properly before the court.
(c)Hear Contested Parentage Matters. Only the judge may conduct trials in contested parentage cases.
(d)Issue Special Orders. Only the judge may issue body attachment orders, rules to show cause, or conduct contempt proceedings. The judge shall impose sanctions or relief in such cases as are appropriate.
(e)Impose Sanctions. Only the judge may impose sanctions pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 137.
Plain-English Summary
The expedited System speeds up child support cases, but it doesn't hand every power to a hearing officer. A judge reviews and enters recommended orders the parties agreed to, conducts judicial hearings on anything contested, and hears any domestic relations issue outside uncontested child support and parentage.
Some matters belong to a judge alone, full stop. Only a judge can try a contested parentage case, issue a body attachment order, hold someone in contempt, or impose sanctions under Rule 137. These carve-outs make sure the most serious and adversarial issues still get a judge's direct attention, even in a System built around administrative hearing officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an administrative hearing officer decide a contested paternity trial?
No. Only a judge can conduct trials in contested parentage cases.
Who can hold a parent in contempt for not paying child support?
Only a judge can issue body attachment orders, rules to show cause, or conduct contempt proceedings.
Can a hearing officer impose sanctions for frivolous filings?
No, only a judge can impose sanctions under Supreme Court Rule 137.
Does a judge automatically approve every recommended order?
The judge reviews recommended orders parties agreed to and enters whatever part is appropriate, rather than rubber-stamping the whole thing.
What kinds of cases go straight to a judge instead of a hearing officer?
Prehearing motions the parties disagree on, contested domestic relations issues other than uncontested child support and parentage, and objections to entered orders.
Amendment History
Adopted April 1, 1992, effective immediately.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:contested parentage trial who decidescontempt of court child supportRule 137 sanctions child supportwhat only a judge can do child support casebody attachment child support