Chad’s Chance: A Father’s Rights

The name of the child has been changed to protect the child

Author: Shannon Berkman

Editor: Ben Williams

 Due to a recently passed law in Illinois, Senate Bill 57: Illinois Public Act 099-0090, Statutes 601.2 and 602.5, which became effective in January of 2016, step-parents now have parental rights to children under certain circumstances. For some, this may be refreshing. But, for Chad Krumrey and his family, it has them embroiled in a custody fight for his biological daughter.

 Chad, from Lake County, Illinois, has always maintained a close and loving relationship with his daughter, Jennifer, even after his ex-wife remarried four years ago. Jennifer lived primarily with her mother and step-father.

 During the same month the new Illinois law went into effect, ten-year-old Jennifer’s mother lost her battle to cancer. This left the family devastated, especially Jennifer. But no one could have predicted the series of events that were about to unravel.

 After her mother’s death, Jennifer moved in with her father, Chad, who automatically became the primary residential parent. Chad, a dedicated and doting father, helped Jennifer get settled as best he could. She began to adapt to a new school and cope with the loss of her mother. Chad made every effort to ensure her emotional, educational, social, and financial support needs were met.

 When Jennifer’s step dad, indicated that he was looking for regular visitation with her, it was granted through court order. But, what was unexpected, was when he then filed to relocate Jennifer back to her former home where she previously lived with him and her mother. Jennifer’s step-father is now seeking primary physical custody and parenting responsibilities of Jennifer.

 Chad wasn’t overly concerned at the start. After all, he is Jennifer’s biological father, and she had only known her step-dad for four years of her life. Surely, Jennifer belongs with her biological father. But, due to the law, which sets a new precedent in giving step-parents’ rights, the courts are swaying in favor of the late mother's husband, and it is looking likely that the daughter will be relocated.

 Chad is an active, engaged, biological father, who is standing up for his right to be a parent and his daughter’s right to live with her biological family. He has a loving home, a secure job of more than 12 years, and there is no reason his daughter should be taken from his care.

 Chad is trying to build as much support as he can for him and his daughter, in Illinois and across the country. He feels he is experiencing an infringement on his Constitutional rights to father his child, and he also believes that this case will be the very first case in the state of Illinois of its kind, under the new statute.

 Chad is not only fighting for his daughter, but he is fighting for the inalienable right of all biological parents in the state of Illinois!

To learn more and to get involved in Chad’s Chance, contact him at ChadsChance@gmail.com.