New legislation aims to make sure dads play an active role in their children’s lives after divorce.
The shared parenting bill requires courts to presume that a child is best off spending equal time with both parents when deciding custody. It’s sponsored by Representative La Shawn Ford of Chicago.

Several father advocate groups like “Dads Can Too” and “Illinois Fathers for Equality” are lobbying for the bill.
Corrie Ray is with Illinois Fathers for Equality and he supports the measure.

Advocates says they also want to require judges to explain why they are ruling a certain way in custody cases.