The state of Illinois has only two options for parents getting a divorce ﾖ sole or joint custody. In Illinois joint custody does not mean that children will spend an even or equal amount of time with both parents, but will instead have a single "custodial" parent who is responsible for the majority of day to day care. The other parent is granted visitation rights per Illinois joint custody law. What Illinois joint custody does provide to both parents is an even amount of "say" in all of the major decisions about a child's life. For instance, the court system requests a parenting plan to be submitted, which must address such things as holidays and vacations, religion, financial responsibilities and much more. Parents in Illinois joint custody settlements are actually creating one of the better scenarios for a child because their life will still require a great deal of interaction with both parents on a regular basis.