In re Marriage of Kavchak , 107 N.E.3d 287 ( 2018 )

2018 IL App (2d) 170853No. 2-17-0853
Opinion filed May 15, 2018
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT
______________________________________________________________________________
In re MARRIAGE OF GREG KAVCHAK, ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
) of Du Page County.
Petitioner and Counterrespondent- )
Appellant, )
)
and ) No. 16-D-97
)
ALICIA KAVCHAK, )
) Honorable
Respondent and Counterpetitioner- ) Timothy J. McJoynt,
Appellee. ) Judge, Presiding.
______________________________________________________________________________
PRESIDING JUSTICE HUDSON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.
Justices Schostok and Spence concurred in the judgment and opinion.
OPINION
¶1 Petitioner, Greg Kavchak, appeals from the judgment of the circuit court of Du Page
County granting the motion of respondent, Alicia Kavchak, to relocate the parties’ minor
daughter, S.K., to North Carolina. On appeal, petitioner raises two principal issues. First, he
contends that the trial court’s relocation order is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Second, he argues that the trial court erred in sua sponte ordering that S.K. be enrolled in a
private school in North Carolina. We affirm.
¶2 I. BACKGROUND
¶3 Petitioner and respondent married on August 26, 2006. S.K., the only child of the
2018 IL App (2d) 170853marriage, was born on February 25, 2011. Petitioner filed a petition for dissolution of marriage
on January 20, 2016. On February 16, 2016, respondent filed a response to petitioner’s petition
for dissolution of marriage and a counterpetition for dissolution of marriage. In both documents,
respondent sought leave of court to relocate with S.K. to North Carolina. On July 25, 2016,
respondent filed a notice of intent to relocate. The trial court declined to address the relocation
issue in conjunction with the dissolution proceeding, finding that “relocation is another topic for
another day.”
¶4 On February 24, 2017, the trial court entered a judgment of dissolution of marriage and a
parental-allocation judgment. The allocation judgment provided in relevant part that it was in
S.K.’s best interests “for each party to be equally involved in significant decision-making for the
minor child of the parties.” As such, the allocation judgment required the parties to “consult
with one another on significant issues prior to a decision being made” in the areas of education,
health, religion, and extracurricular activities. In addition, the allocation judgment divided the
parties’ parenting time based on a two-week schedule. During the first week, petitioner’s
parenting time began on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and continued through Sunday at 5 p.m. During
the second week, petitioner’s parenting time began on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and continued
through Friday at 5 p.m. The allocation judgment further provided that each party have three
nonconsecutive weeks of parenting time during S.K.’s summer break, alternate parenting time on
major holidays and S.K.’s birthday, and equal time during S.K.’s spring and winter breaks.
¶5 On March 3, 2017, respondent filed a motion for relocation, pursuant to section 609.2 of
the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (Act) (750 ILCS 5/609.2 (West 2016)). In
the motion, respondent requested permission to relocate with S.K. to North Carolina.
Respondent’s motion provided in relevant part as follows. Respondent left her job at the
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and began working for High Point University in High
Point, North Carolina, on June 1, 2016. Respondent’s annual salary at High Point University is
$87,000. Respondent currently works out of her home in Illinois, developing a curriculum,
completing research activities, and working on a Ph.D. However, if respondent wants to keep
her position at High Point University, she had to relocate to North Carolina by the fall of 2017.
Respondent argued that the relocation is in S.K.’s best interests because (1) respondent’s position
in North Carolina would “enable [respondent] to be present when [S.K.] goes to school in the
morning and when she comes home,” (2) respondent’s employer would pay for her to get her
Ph.D., (3) S.K. would attend a “top-rated” private school, and (4) respondent’s mother, Shirley
Emerson, would join her and S.K. to assist in caring for S.K. On March 31, 2017, petitioner
filed a response to the motion for relocation. On May 26, 2017, petitioner filed a petition to
determine S.K.’s school enrollment. A hearing on respondent’s motion for relocation and
petitioner’s petition to determine school enrollment began on June 27, 2017, and concluded on
August 7, 2017. At that hearing, the parties agreed to incorporate the evidence from the
dissolution proceeding. The evidence from the hearing established as follows.
¶6 Petitioner and respondent both grew up in Illinois. Petitioner’s mother, Paula Kavchak,
resides in Chicago. Petitioner’s father and sister live in Florida. Emerson lives in Springfield.
Respondent’s father is deceased. Respondent has one sister, who resides in Ohio.
¶7 When the parties first married, they lived in Chicago. In January 2013, after S.K. was
born, the parties moved into a 1700-square-foot, three-bedroom home with a yard, in downtown
Downers Grove. The parties resided together in the marital home until March 2017, when
respondent moved into an apartment in Woodridge. Respondent’s apartment in Woodridge has
two bedrooms and measures about 1000 square feet. Respondent signed a four-month lease for
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853the apartment. The lease was to expire on July 17, 2017, but has a month-to-month option.
Petitioner remained in the marital home until June 2017, when it was sold. He then began
renting a house in Downers Grove, six houses south of the marital home. Petitioner’s rental
house is 1600 square feet and has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basement, and a yard.
¶8 For the past 17 years, petitioner has been employed by Hendrickson International, a
company that makes truck components. Petitioner works as a business analyst in the finance
department. He earns $119,000 per year. His position is in Woodridge. Petitioner testified that,
since S.K. was born, he has asked his employer at various times to modify his work schedule in
light of his parenting obligations and his employer has always accommodated his requests. From
when S.K. was 12 weeks old until August 2016, she attended KinderCare in Willowbrook.
Petitioner took S.K. to KinderCare and picked her up most days. In August 2016, S.K. started
kindergarten at Hillcrest Elementary School in Downers Grove.
¶9 Respondent is a physical therapist. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Illinois
Wesleyan University. In addition, she earned a master’s degree in physical therapy in 2000 from
the University of Indianapolis, a second master’s degree in rehabilitation science in 2011 from
UIC, and a doctorate in physical therapy in 2014 from Governors State University. Respondent
is also a board-certified orthopedic specialist and a fellow of the American Academy of
Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. From 2008 until May 19, 2016, respondent worked at
UIC. Respondent classified her job title at UIC as a “specialist in physical therapy.” Her
primary function involved clinical work, but she also engaged in teaching and conducting
research. Between 2013 and 2015, respondent’s salary at UIC ranged between $85,000 and
$86,137. Respondent testified that UIC waived the tuition for her master’s degree in
rehabilitation science and paid a portion of her tuition for her doctorate in physical therapy.
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853Respondent noted that UIC offers a tuition reimbursement program whereby it pays half of the
tuition for an employee’s child to attend one of eight state universities in Illinois.
¶ 10 Respondent’s commute from Downers Grove to UIC was between 60 and 75 minutes, but
her schedule was flexible. From the time in 2011 when she returned to work after S.K. was born
until the family moved to Downers Grove in January 2013, respondent worked three 12-hour
days per week plus one Saturday each month. From January 2013 through February 2015,
respondent worked from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and Thursdays. She was off on Fridays, but worked one Saturday per month.
From February 2015 until May 2016, respondent’s schedule was the same except that she
worked until only 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
¶ 11 In 2010, respondent worked at UIC with another physical therapist named Alexis Wright.
During this time, Wright became respondent’s “best friend.” In 2011, Wright left UIC to take a
job at High Point University. In or about July 2015, Wright and Dr. Eric Hegedus, the chair of
High Point University’s department of physical therapy, offered respondent a position as director
of clinical education. Respondent turned down the position. A couple of weeks later, Wright
and Hegedus contacted respondent again, offering her a position as an assistant professor. To
maintain her employment with High Point University, respondent would have to obtain a Ph.D.
High Point University agreed to pay for respondent to obtain a Ph.D. from the University of
Otago in New Zealand. Respondent would do the research for her Ph.D. through a physical-
therapy clinic run by High Point University.
¶ 12 Respondent first told petitioner about the job offer in July 2015. Respondent told
petitioner that the position was her “dream job” and would allow her to pursue her Ph.D.
According to respondent, petitioner was okay with her exploring the job and agreed to support
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853her. However, petitioner testified that he was opposed to respondent’s taking the position and
did not want to move to North Carolina. Respondent and petitioner had many discussions on the
topic during July and August 2015. The couple discussed “creative solutions” to their
differences. One of these solutions involved respondent renting an apartment in North Carolina
and commuting back and forth to Illinois. Another solution involved respondent quitting her job
and petitioner paying for respondent to obtain a Ph.D. in Illinois.
¶ 13 Respondent noted that UIC, Northern Illinois University (NIU), and Northwestern
University have Ph.D. programs in Illinois. In November 2015, respondent and petitioner
discussed respondent’s obtaining a Ph.D. at NIU. Petitioner thought that the campus was too far
from Downers Grove, so respondent never applied to the program. Respondent also testified that
she would not be able to afford the Ph.D. programs at the Illinois universities and that none of
them has advisors relative to her area of expertise. Respondent accepted the position at High
Point University on November 9, 2015. The job had a start date of June 1, 2016, so respondent
continued to work at UIC until May 19, 2016. Respondent acknowledged that she “loved” her
job at UIC and quit the position only because of the opportunity at High Point University.
Respondent explained that in 2010 and 2012 she had applied for two different assistant professor
positions at UIC but was not hired for those jobs. In 2013 and 2014, respondent applied for
teaching positions at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. Midwestern University was too
far along in the interview process to consider her for the 2013 position and she was not offered
the position she applied for in 2014. Respondent testified that the only job she applied for since
getting her doctorate in physical therapy was the position at High Point University.
¶ 14 Respondent has had two one-year contracts with High Point University. The first
contract ran from June 1, 2016, until May 31, 2017, with a salary of $87,000 per year. The
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853second contract runs from June 1, 2017, until May 31, 2018, with the same salary. Respondent
testified that her position requires her to work 40 hours per week. Respondent’s duties are “split
between scholarship and publishing and doing research, sometimes administrative duties, clinical
practice and teaching.” Since High Point University’s department of physical therapy is in the
development stages and has yet to be accredited, no students were expected until May 2017. As
a result, respondent had no teaching requirement until the fall 2017 semester. From her June 1,
2016, start date at High Point University until the relocation hearing, respondent worked
remotely from Illinois for six to eight hours a day. Respondent was accepted at the University of
Otago on May 30, 2017, and thus did not have to study for her Ph.D. up to that point.
Respondent stated that High Point University’s physical therapy clinic is “working with a very
unique patient population,” which will allow her to complete her Ph.D. research.
¶ 15 Regarding housing, respondent testified that she had looked at homes in Greensboro,
Summerfield, and Stokesdale, North Carolina, which are about 20 minutes from High Point. She
was looking for a four-bedroom home with at least 3000 square feet, at prices ranging from
$250,000 to $550,000. Respondent testified that Emerson planned to move to North Carolina
with her and S.K. According to respondent, Emerson would make a “substantial” down payment
on the home and respondent would make the monthly mortgage payment. Respondent, Emerson,
and S.K. would reside in the house together. Emerson corroborated respondent’s testimony.
Emerson stated that she would pay the real estate taxes, utilities, and insurance on the house and
respondent would pay the mortgage. Emerson testified that she would not move to the Chicago
area if relocation were denied. She also acknowledged that, but for respondent’s desire to move
to North Carolina, she would not move there.
¶ 16 At the relocation hearing, petitioner described his relationship with S.K. as “very strong.”
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853He stated that he is an “active father” and a “day-to-day dad.” Petitioner testified that he cared
for S.K. on a daily basis for the first six years of her life. Petitioner likes to do homework with
S.K., go to her extracurricular activities, and watch her grow. Petitioner described his week-to-
week parenting time with S.K. In addition, since respondent moved out of the marital home in
March 2017, he has had telephonic contact with S.K. through FaceTime about once a day.
Petitioner testified that S.K. dictates how long the calls are, but they generally last between 20
seconds and 7 minutes.
¶ 17 Petitioner explained that, when respondent moved out of the marital home in March
2017, he changed his work schedule to “take advantage of [his] parenting time [and] to keep the
quality of care that [he has] been giving [S.K.] since she was born.” Specifically, petitioner
altered his work schedule to ensure that he is off work on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. so he can be
home by 5 p.m., when respondent drops off S.K. In addition, on Thursday and Friday mornings,
he starts work at 8:30 a.m. so that he can spend those mornings with S.K. before school and walk
her to the school bus. Paula Kavchak resides in Chicago and is able to stay with S.K. on
Thursday afternoons until petitioner arrives home at 5:30 p.m. On Friday afternoons, petitioner
leaves work by 3 p.m. so that he can be available for S.K. when she gets home from school.
¶ 18 S.K. takes swimming lessons and violin lessons. Respondent found both programs.
S.K.’s swimming lessons began in 2014. The swimming lessons occur once a week, on Fridays
at 5 p.m. Petitioner transports S.K. to each lesson and stays for the entire lesson. Respondent
also attends S.K.’s swimming lessons. S.K. has been taking violin lessons since October 2016.
Violin lessons occur once a week and take place at respondent’s apartment. Respondent has not
invited petitioner to attend the lessons, because they occur when he is normally at work.
Petitioner, however, attended S.K.’s violin recital.
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853¶ 19 Petitioner testified that, since the entry of the judgment of dissolution, he has exercised
all of the parenting time allocated to him. Petitioner testified that, other than when his mother
watches S.K. after school on Thursday afternoons, he has never left S.K. with a babysitter during
his parenting time. Petitioner admitted, however, that on weekdays during S.K.’s summer break,
she went to KinderCare. This is the same KinderCare location S.K. attended from when she was
12 weeks old until she started kindergarten in August 2016. According to petitioner, S.K. enjoys
KinderCare, even requested it, and sometimes wants to stay longer when he comes to pick her
up.
¶ 20 Petitioner testified that, since the parties implemented the parenting-time schedule set
forth in the allocation judgment, his activities with S.K. during the school week have included
doing homework, getting her ready for school, cooking for her, taking her to and picking her up
from the bus stop, and watching movies. During petitioner’s parenting time, S.K. talks to
respondent via FaceTime. Petitioner also testified that he and S.K. have a bedtime routine. At
about 7:45 p.m., S.K. takes a shower. They then read books and talk for a few minutes.
Petitioner then takes S.K. to her room and sings to her. Petitioner then turns out the lights and
checks on her about 10 minutes later. On weekends, petitioner and S.K. enjoy going to parks,
children’s workshops at Home Depot, movies, and the Museum of Science and Industry. They
also like to get donuts, go to the library, arrange play dates, go strawberry and blueberry picking,
and eat out. In addition, petitioner taught S.K. how to ride a bike. Petitioner testified that, since
he and respondent began implementing the parenting-time schedule, the time he spends with
S.K. is “the best quality time [he has] had with [S.K.] in well over a year.” Petitioner added that
S.K.’s demeanor with him is a lot more “cuddly” and she is more “affectionate.” He stated that
S.K. “seems happier than [he] remember[s].”
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853¶ 21 Petitioner testified that he objects to respondent’s moving to North Carolina with S.K.
He explained that he is the only male influence that S.K. has in her life and that S.K. “would
miss the day-to-day interactions that [he has] with her.” Petitioner also stated that S.K. had just
gone through a “tough transition from having both parents around to not having both parents in
the same house.” Petitioner is also concerned that he is going to miss spending quality time with
S.K. such as by getting her ready for school, cooking her meals, taking her places, helping with
her homework, and watching her grow. Petitioner stated that he and S.K. have done all of these
things together for the first six years of her life but that, if relocation is permitted, it will no
longer be possible.
¶ 22 Petitioner opined that the “culture” in North Carolina is not as good as it is in the Chicago
area. He explained that in the Chicago area he and S.K. have gone to various parks, museums,
zoos, amusement parks, restaurants, movie theaters, and miniature golf courses. Petitioner is
concerned that there are not as many activities in or around High Point as there are in the
Chicago area. He also opined that there are “significantly more and higher quality” cultural
institutions in the Chicago area. Petitioner researched the school systems in High Point and
Greensboro and the school system in Downers Grove, using the website “gradeschools.com,”
and his research revealed that the schools in Downers Grove were “well above” those in High
Point and Greensboro. He also observed that “half of [S.K.’s] family, her immediate family is
[in Illinois].” Moreover, petitioner examined 2016 crime statistics for Downers Grove and
Greensboro/High Point on a website called “citydata” and his research revealed that the North
Carolina towns had higher crime rates.
¶ 23 Petitioner further expressed that the quality of his time with S.K. “will be extremely less
than it is now.” He explained that he and S.K. will not be able to enjoy the day-to-day activities
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853they do together now. In addition to the quality of time he spends with S.K., petitioner is
concerned that the quantity of time will be reduced. Under the parties’ current parenting
schedule, S.K. spends 6 out of every 14 days nights with petitioner. In addition, S.K. spends
three nonconsecutive weeks with petitioner during the summer, one-half of her winter and spring
breaks, and alternating holidays.
¶ 24 Petitioner’s concern is that even a larger block of uninterrupted parenting time during the
summer is not a substitute for more time during the week, when he can be a “day-to-day dad”
and do all the day-to-day functions with her that he has been doing her whole life. Petitioner
pointed out that, if he were awarded a larger block of time during the summer, S.K. would have
to attend daycare for most of that time. Petitioner also testified that, if S.K. were living primarily
with respondent in North Carolina, the friendships she developed at school “would not be
transferable to [Illinois] over the summer” when she would be with him, and she would not be
able to participate in any of the extracurricular activities she enrolled in.
¶ 25 Petitioner also believes that having a six-year-old child get on a plane every month from
North Carolina to Chicago is “a little bit much.” Respondent agreed that this would require S.K.
to travel to the airport after she leaves school on Friday afternoon, arrive at the airport early
enough to make the flight, take a flight lasting 90 to 120 minutes to Chicago, and then ride from
the airport to petitioner’s residence. This would mean that S.K. would arrive in Downers Grove
on Friday night. S.K. would then have to leave petitioner’s home sufficiently early on Sunday to
go to bed early enough to wake up for school on Monday. Petitioner also expressed concern that
much of his parenting time on weekends in North Carolina would be spent traveling. Petitioner
testified that he would fly out of Midway Airport, which, depending on traffic, is between 45 and
60 minutes from Downers Grove. He would arrive at the airport 60 to 90 minutes prior to
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853departure. The flight to Greensboro is about two hours. This amounts to between 4 and 4½
hours, not including time to collect his bags, rent a car, and drive to wherever S.K. is staying.
¶ 26 Respondent testified that the plane tickets she has purchased to travel between Chicago
and North Carolina have been around $500. However, respondent testified that she has
purchased tickets only “on the short term” and into Raleigh, North Carolina, which is about 60 or
70 miles from Greensboro. Respondent testified that either she or Emerson would travel with
S.K. to Illinois, at respondent’s cost. Respondent did not know how much lodging would cost
petitioner in Greensboro. Respondent testified, however, that she and Emerson plan to buy a
four-bedroom home in North Carolina. Respondent offered to allow petitioner to stay in the
extra bedroom during his parenting time with S.K. in North Carolina. Respondent testified that
she made the offer because she agreed that it would “feel weird having to be in a hotel” during
petitioner’s parenting time with S.K. Petitioner testified, however, that he would not be
comfortable staying in respondent’s home during his parenting time.
¶ 27 Respondent testified that, if relocation to North Carolina were permitted, she would not
use daycare, because Emerson can pick up S.K. from school if respondent is unavailable.
Respondent added that, although she is expected to work a 40-hour workweek at High Point
University, she has to be on campus for only five hours a day. Hegedus noted that, while “the
wording in [the] contract says, five hours a day on campus,” “[w]ithin that five hours is
considered your office hours. And most people stay much longer than that, of course.” Hegedus
added that respondent will be required to participate in other activities on and off campus,
possibly on the weekends. Respondent testified that if she remained in Illinois she “would
assume” that S.K. would have to go to daycare. She explained that, because there are no
academic positions available in the Chicago area, she would be “forced to go back to being a
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853clinician,” with hours in the early morning, late at night, and on weekends to accommodate
patients who work. As a result, respondent would have to work one or two evenings or early
mornings each week and on weekends.
¶ 28 Respondent testified that she has researched public elementary schools in North Carolina
online, spoken with faculty at High Point University about where they enrolled their children,
talked to one individual in the education department at High Point University, and looked at
several private schools. Ultimately, respondent settled on Westchester Country Day School
(Westchester). The tuition at Westchester is $12,000 per academic year. Respondent described
Westchester as a “good fit” for S.K. Respondent liked Westchester because its average class size
is only 18 to 20 students. She also stated that the school has “a really nice sense of community,”
its academic standards are high, and it provides individualized teaching. In addition,
Westchester offers the opportunity to learn Mandarin in the second grade and Spanish in the
fourth or fifth grade. Respondent testified that the class size at Hillcrest Elementary is about 24
students. She also noted that “basic” Spanish is taught at Hillcrest Elementary, but Mandarin is
not. Respondent further testified that 100% of Westchester’s students go to college and their
SAT scores are similar to those at Downers Grove North High School.
¶ 29 Respondent testified that she told petitioner about Westchester, informed him when
admission testing would occur, and encouraged him to talk to representatives of the school.
According to respondent, however, petitioner did not contact anyone at the school. In March
2017, respondent took S.K. for testing at Westchester. Respondent eventually registered S.K. to
attend Westchester. Respondent testified that she “had to enroll her, or [S.K.] was going to lose
the spot [she] had reserved.” Respondent testified that she would not ask petitioner to contribute
to the tuition at Westchester if she were permitted to relocate. Petitioner acknowledged that
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853respondent told him about Westchester. Petitioner testified that he objected to respondent’s
taking S.K. to North Carolina to be tested at Westchester and never agreed to enroll S.K. at
Westchester but that he did not “object” to Westchester. Petitioner testified that he is concerned
because of the size of the school. Specifically, he stated that the class sizes at Westchester are
“very small” and he would prefer that S.K. go to a bigger school.
¶ 30 At the relocation hearing, both parties presented the testimony of their respective expert
witnesses. Respondent’s witness was Dr. Robert Shapiro. Petitioner’s witness was Dr. Mark
Goldstein.
¶ 31 Shapiro is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in forensic psychology and
clinical psychology. In preparation for the evaluation, Shapiro met with both petitioner and
respondent individually for six hours each and with S.K. individually for four hours. Shapiro
also observed S.K. with each parent. In addition, Shapiro reviewed various documents and met
with a number of “outside people,” including S.K.’s former guardian ad litem, S.K.’s
kindergarten teacher, the parties’ mothers, Hegedus, and Wright. Shapiro wrote a 16-page report
of his evaluation, which was admitted into evidence.
¶ 32 Shapiro found that both parties were “pretty straight” with him and that both parties were
good parents. Shapiro described petitioner’s interactions with S.K. as loving, gentle, invested,
and involved. In turn, S.K. was responsive, happy to be with petitioner, playful, and interactive.
Shapiro testified that it was clear that petitioner and S.K. have a “nice attachment and a positive
bond.” With respect to respondent’s interactions with S.K., Shapiro testified that all of the things
he said about petitioner “would equally apply” to respondent, although he characterized
respondent’s interactions as “a little bit more intimate,” with “a lot more physical contact.”
Shapiro found that respondent’s relationship with S.K. demonstrated “a very positive attachment
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853between daughter and mother.” Based on his observations, Shapiro described petitioner’s
parenting style as “a little bit more strict, a little bit more rigid, where [respondent] is more
nurturing, is able to do—is able to get [S.K.] to do things through persuasion more rather than
direction.”
¶ 33 In his report, Shapiro referenced research by Jonathan Gould and David Martindale
suggesting that a move of more than 75 miles compromises the quality of a parent-child
relationship with the parent who is left behind. Such a move “disrupts the weekly contact and
the various activities that take place on a weekly basis such as regularly participating in
extracurricular activities and schoolwork” and “relegates the parent to the role of a visiting
parent rather than a participating parent.” Shapiro agreed with Gould’s and Martindale’s
research, commenting that “[t]here is no doubt about the disruptive capability of an out-of-state
move as proposed by [respondent].” Nevertheless, Shapiro found respondent’s position equally
compelling. For instance, Shapiro observed respondent’s longstanding desire to obtain a Ph.D.
in her profession and subsequently use that degree to teach at a university, to conduct research,
and to practice clinically. Petitioner knew since before the parties’ marriage that respondent was
interested in obtaining a Ph.D. Respondent attempted to find programs in the Chicago area, but
she could not find anything comparable to what High Point University offered her. Further,
Hegedus told Shapiro that respondent has a “unique opportunity where she is actually being paid
to work and get her PhD.” Hegedus opined that, if respondent loses this opportunity, her career
path “will be permanently damaged.”
¶ 34 Ultimately, Shapiro opined that relocation is appropriate in this case, although he
acknowledged that it was a “very difficult decision.” In support of his decision, Shapiro initially
noted that, regardless whether relocation is allowed, S.K. will be faced with “a different school
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853district and altered parenting,” because the marital home was being sold. Shapiro further noted
that, if relocation is denied, respondent will need to find a local job and S.K. “undoubtedly will
spend time in daycare.” If relocation is allowed and respondent keeps her position at High Point
University, “daycare will not be necessary and [S.K.] will spend the same quality of time with
her mother that she currently enjoys.” Shapiro found that respondent’s desire for relocation is
“genuine and sincere” and that petitioner’s objection to relocation was for no reason other than
S.K.’s best interests. Shapiro concluded that the move “would likely enhance [S.K.’s] quality of
life by allowing [respondent] to spend far more quality time with [S.K.] then [sic] would be the
case if she were required to stay in Illinois.” Shapiro described respondent’s opportunity at High
Point University as “clearly unique in that she is being paid to pursue her Ph.D. and also allowed
time during her workweek to pursue her Ph.D.” Shapiro also noted that High Point University is
covering the cost of respondent’s Ph.D. Shapiro acknowledged that relocation will
“compromise” the nature and quality of petitioner’s relationship with S.K. He observed,
however, that relocation will not eliminate the relationship. Shapiro was convinced that
respondent will do everything necessary to support and maintain S.K.’s relationship with
petitioner. Shapiro opined that the father-daughter relationship can be maintained with a “certain
structure of parenting time even though it will not necessarily allow for the same level of
involvement [petitioner] currently enjoys.”
¶ 35 On cross-examination, Shapiro acknowledged that relocation will be disruptive as it
relates to petitioner and S.K. When asked whether, if relocation were allowed, petitioner would
be relegated to the role of a “visiting parent” as opposed to a “participating parent,” Shapiro
responded that it depends on petitioner’s investment of time on matters related to S.K., such as
by contacting schools or making himself available to teachers. Shapiro acknowledged, however,
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853that the proposed arrangements for petitioner to travel to North Carolina and stay in a hotel to
exercise parenting time “have all the markings of a visiting parent.”
¶ 36 Shapiro stated that one of the reasons he found that relocation would be appropriate was
respondent’s ability to obtain a Ph.D. at no cost. Shapiro stated that he did not know
respondent’s income at UIC or at High Point University. Nevertheless, he indicated that access
to a greater income played a role in his conclusion, because he “just know[s] that [respondent]
would be making more money working less hours with a PhD.” When asked how he knows this,
Shapiro responded, “Good question. I don’t have those figures, but a PhD would demand more
money than someone that has a master’s degree.”
¶ 37 Shapiro testified that, if respondent stayed in Illinois, she would need to get a job as a
physical therapy clinician. This would involve working some weekday evenings and some
weekend time and would require S.K. to be in daycare. Shapiro nevertheless agreed that it was
possible that, with petitioner having 6 of 14 overnights with S.K. under the current parenting-
time schedule, respondent could schedule her evenings or weekends during petitioner’s parenting
time.
¶ 38 Shapiro agreed that S.K. has a good connection with her school and community in
Illinois. She has friends in Illinois, and she likes her school in Illinois. Shapiro did not find
anything to indicate that the educational opportunities for S.K. are greater in North Carolina than
they are in her current school district. He also agreed that the benefit of reduced college tuition
would be available at a school other than High Point University if respondent were a faculty
member at the institution.
¶ 39 Goldstein is a licensed clinical psychologist and a forensic psychologist. In conducting
his evaluation, Goldstein met with petitioner, respondent, and S.K. He also conducted collateral
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853interviews with other individuals, observed S.K. interact with each of her parents, and reviewed
documents provided by the parties. In addition, Goldstein had petitioner and respondent
complete “some parenting inventories” and he administered the Bricklin Perpetual Scales
Inventory to S.K. Goldstein authored a 28-page report of his evaluation, which was admitted
into evidence.
¶ 40 Goldstein testified that the parenting inventories did not indicate any significant parenting
problems with either parent. In addition, S.K.’s score on the Bricklin Perpetual Scales Inventory
indicated that she perceives her parents “pretty equally.” Goldstein testified that the results of
the test were consistent with his own observations of S.K. when he met her with each parent.
According to Goldstein, S.K. had a “great interaction” with each parent.
¶ 41 Goldstein testified that he did not see anything during his evaluation that indicated that
S.K. would receive a direct benefit by relocating to North Carolina with respondent. For
instance, based on his research and the information that respondent provided, Goldstein had no
reason to believe that the educational opportunities for S.K. would be greater in North Carolina
than they are in Du Page County. He observed that S.K. had established relationships with
individuals in her current community and school and that she was well adjusted to her school.
Goldstein also noted that S.K. has a good relationship with her grandmothers, both of whom
reside in Illinois, and she does not currently have any extended family in North Carolina. In
addition, Goldstein considered the distance between Illinois and North Carolina.
¶ 42 Goldstein testified that respondent told him that the homes in North Carolina are more
affordable, so she could afford a nicer home in a nicer community. Goldstein testified, however,
that he does not think that the opportunity for a larger home would provide any significant
benefit to S.K. Goldstein stated that either parent could provide a sufficient home for S.K. in
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853Illinois.
¶ 43 Goldstein reviewed Shapiro’s report and stated that he is familiar with the research of
Gould and Martindale. He agreed with their finding that a move of more than 75 miles
compromises the quality of the relationship between the child and the parent who is left behind.
Thus, Goldstein also agreed that, in this case, the proposed move would compromise the quality
of the relationship between S.K. and petitioner. He stated that he agreed “to some degree” with
research indicating that the parent who is left behind is relegated to being a “visitor” as opposed
to a “participating parent.” Goldstein testified that, given the distance, it would be “extremely
difficult” for the trial court to fashion an alternate arrangement that would protect and preserve
the relationship between S.K. and petitioner.
¶ 44 Goldstein had no doubt that the proposed relocation would disrupt the relationship
between S.K. and petitioner. Goldstein explained that a parent’s communication with a child via
FaceTime is qualitatively different from in-person contact. He added that a parent’s need to
travel to another community interferes somewhat with the quality of the relationship, because the
interaction is not taking place at the child’s home. Moreover, the child cannot benefit from the
parent’s participation in school or extracurricular activities.
¶ 45 Ultimately, Goldstein opined to a reasonable degree of psychological certainty that
relocation to North Carolina is not in S.K.’s best interests, although he acknowledged that the
issue is “relatively close.” Goldstein did not observe anything during the course of his
evaluation that indicated that petitioner’s objection to relocation was for any reason other than
S.K.’s best interests. In addition, Goldstein believes that respondent’s motivation for relocating
to North Carolina is sincere. On cross-examination, Goldstein acknowledged that a one-time
relocation with a younger child is much less destructive than multiple moves, and he cited
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853research suggesting that relocation should not be denied just because some harm might occur.
¶ 46 At a hearing on August 9, 2017, the trial court issued an oral decision. The court
discussed the factors set forth in section 609.2(g) of the Act (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g) (West 2016))
to consider in assessing a parent’s request for relocation. The court also considered the 17 best-
interest factors set forth in section 602.7 of the Act (750 ILCS 5/602.7 (West 2016)). With
respect to each of the section 609.2(g) factors, the court found as follows.
¶ 47 The first factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(1) (West 2016)) is “the
circumstances and reasons for the intended relocation.” The court found that respondent had no
bad intent, noting that the position at High Point University was her “dream job” and that
respondent quit her job at UIC and “took a risk *** hop[ing that she and petitioner] were going
to work it out.” The second factor (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(2) (West 2016)) involves “the reasons,
if any, why a parent is objecting to the intended relocation.” Regarding that factor, the court
stated that it heard “virtually no evidence of bad intent on behalf of [petitioner] in resisting the
relocation” and that respondent “was thinking of the child and his relationship with the child.”
¶ 48 The third factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(3) (West 2016)) addresses
“the history and quality of each parent’s relationship with the child and specifically whether a
parent has substantially failed or refused to exercise the parental responsibilities allocated to him
or her under the parenting plan or allocation judgment.” The court stated that this factor
“favor[s] both sides probably equally.” The court found that the history and quality of each
parent’s relationship with S.K. are “clearly quite strong.” The court also found that both parents
had exercised all of their parenting time with S.K.
¶ 49 The fourth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(4) (West 2016)) is “the
educational opportunities for the child at the existing location and at the proposed new location.”
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853The court found that Hillcrest Elementary was “an exceptional school.” The court also found
that Westchester “appears to be a good school, a school that apparently sends 100 percent of
their graduates to college and has an extensive foreign language program.” Further, the court
observed that both of the parties’ experts found the two schools to be comparable. The court
stated that S.K. is “bright and will be successful in any school setting *** with either of these
parents.” Finally, the court remarked that respondent would be paying the tuition at the North
Carolina school, “which apparently she can now do with her—if she’s allowed to relocate
because she’s going to be making, I guess, [$]96,000 a year. That’s a factor the court has to
consider, too.”
¶ 50 The fifth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(5) (West 2016)) concerns
“the presence or absence of extended family at the existing location and at the proposed new
location.” With respect to this factor, the trial court observed that both grandmothers reside in
Illinois and neither party has family in North Carolina. The court noted, however, that Emerson
indicated that she would move to North Carolina with respondent and S.K. if relocation were
allowed. Ultimately, the court characterized this factor as “evenly divided.”
¶ 51 The sixth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(6) (West 2016)) involves
“the anticipated impact of the relocation on the child.” Relying on In re Marriage of
Collingbourne, 204 Ill. 2d 498 (2003), the court stated that it would consider both direct and
indirect benefits to S.K. under this factor. The court first found that respondent’s $96,000 salary
at High Point University constituted an increase that, although “[n]ot great,” was still an indirect
benefit to S.K. The court commented that respondent’s hours at the new job and the shorter
commute would result in S.K. spending less time in daycare and respondent having more quality
time with S.K. The court also noted that S.K. will be able to attend college for free, respondent
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853will have “health insurance and benefits” for herself and S.K., and respondent will be able to
obtain a Ph.D. for free. Regarding housing, the court observed that respondent planned to buy a
home with the help of her mother. The court noted that, according to respondent, she could buy
a bigger house in North Carolina for less money and with more yard space. Petitioner argued
that respondent’s testimony regarding housing was “rank speculation,” and the court remarked
that petitioner was “probably right.”
¶ 52 The court observed that, although petitioner was critical of the culture and the schools in
North Carolina, his testimony was “without much particularity.” The court explained, for
instance, that, although petitioner testified that Westchester was too small, he failed to indicate
what was wrong with that. The court also pointed out that, although petitioner obtained
information regarding the crime rates in some communities in North Carolina, he offered no
comparisons. The court acknowledged that if S.K. remains in Illinois she will attend a good
school. She will go to daycare at KinderCare, a facility she knows well. Furthermore, S.K. will
continue with her extracurricular activities, be able to see her friends, and have her father around.
¶ 53 The seventh factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(7) (West 2016))
addresses “whether the court will be able to fashion a reasonable allocation of parental
responsibilities between all parents if the relocation occurs.” As to this factor, the trial court
stated that there was evidence of many direct flights between Chicago and Greensboro or
Raleigh. The trial court noted that respondent offered to fly S.K. along with a chaperone to
Chicago once a month at her expense and further proposed that petitioner travel to North
Carolina once a month to have additional parenting time in the summer. The trial court
acknowledged petitioner’s concerns that respondent’s proposal would involve a lot of traveling
time and that the parenting time would be “difficult” and “not much quality” after all the
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853traveling. The court, noting that petitioner had been able to adjust his work schedule in the past,
suggested that petitioner could possibly leave work earlier on Fridays or use some vacation time
from work to travel on Thursdays or Friday mornings. The court stated that the number of days
of parenting time “maybe wouldn’t change,” but it added that this “is not a numbers game.” The
court stated that the quality of petitioner’s parenting time with S.K. is the most important thing.
¶ 54 The eighth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609/2(g)(8) (West 2016)) concerns
“the wishes of the child, taking into account the child’s maturity and ability to express reasoned
and independent preferences as to relocation.” The court found that S.K.’s wishes as to
relocation were not probative, primarily because of her age.
¶ 55 The ninth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(9) (West 2016)) is
“possible arrangements for the exercise of parental responsibilities appropriate to the parents’
resources and circumstances and the developmental level of the child.” In addressing this factor,
the court noted that, if respondent is not allowed to relocate, she will lose her job at High Point
University. The court found, in turn, that the loss of respondent’s job “has an affect [sic] on her
economic situation.” The court also found that, although the parties expended “[m]uch trial
time” on this topic, there was no proof that respondent had a similar employment opportunity in
Illinois.
¶ 56 The tenth factor under section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(10) (West 2016)) addresses
“minimization of the impairment to a parent-child relationship caused by a parent’s relocation.”
The court categorized this factor as “the factor in this case” and “the most difficult factor.” The
court agreed with both Shapiro and Goldstein that relocation will negatively affect petitioner’s
relationship with S.K. to some extent. The court noted Goldstein’s admission that a one-time
relocation with a younger child is much less destructive than multiple moves and that relocation
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853should not be denied just because some harm might occur. The court observed that petitioner
wants to keep his frequent, almost daily, contact with S.K. The court noted, however, that even
with “a very liberal parenting schedule,” petitioner “may fall short of six out of fourteen days,
which is what he has now.” If relocation is permitted, respondent has offered petitioner
parenting time of alternating weekends, extended time in the summer, and holidays. She also
discussed FaceTime and Skype opportunities. The court stated that the “bottom line” was
whether petitioner’s relationship with S.K. can “survive and prosper” with less frequency.
¶ 57 In ruling, the court remarked that both experts described this case as a “close call.” The
court agreed that “this is a close case,” adding that “there is no right answer.” The court found
“[t]he key” to be S.K.’s best interests. The court noted that Shapiro’s report listed the benefits to
S.K. if relocation is permitted. The court observed that these benefits included “daycare and
college and benefits and housing.” The court stated that it ascertained from Shapiro’s list that
S.K. will benefit both directly and indirectly if relocation is permitted. As a result, the court
granted respondent’s petition to relocate. The court also modified the parental-allocation
judgment, ordered respondent to “enroll the child in the North Carolina private school as soon as
possible,” and required respondent to be solely responsible for the cost of S.K.’s tuition at the
private school.
¶ 58 On August 16, 2017, the trial court entered a written order modifying the parental-
allocation judgment. That order provides in relevant part as follows. Petitioner was granted
parenting time with S.K. on alternating weekends, with the first weekend to occur in Illinois and
the second weekend to occur in North Carolina. Parenting time would last from Friday to
Sunday, but it could be extended on longer weekends. The parties could agree to additional
parenting time between petitioner and S.K., and petitioner would be allowed additional weekend
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853visitation anytime in North Carolina from Friday after school until Sunday evening with at least
60 days’ notice. Petitioner was also awarded five weeks of parenting time in the summer, broken
up into one period of three consecutive weeks and a second period of two consecutive weeks.
Petitioner was allocated all of spring break in even years and half of spring break in odd years.
Winter break, including Christmas and New Year’s Day, was allocated so that one year
petitioner’s parenting time would run from the Saturday after school is out until December 26,
and the next year his parenting time would run from December 26 until the Sunday before school
starts. The court eliminated petitioner’s parenting time on his birthday and Halloween and ruled
that each parent have one telephone or Skype contact per day. Respondent was responsible for
all costs relating to S.K.’s travel to Illinois for parenting time with petitioner, while petitioner
was responsible for traveling costs associated with his parenting time in North Carolina. The
court also denied petitioner’s petition to determine school enrollment and provided that the order
was final and appealable.
¶ 59 On August 29, 2017, petitioner filed a motion to reconsider. On September 22, 2017,
respondent filed a response to the motion to reconsider. On October 18, 2017, petitioner filed a
motion for leave to supplement his motion to reconsider with In re Parentage of P.D., 2017 IL
App (2d) 170355, an opinion issued by this court on October 13, 2017. On October 19, 2017,
the trial court denied petitioner’s motion to reconsider. On October 23, 2017, petitioner filed a
notice of appeal.
¶ 60 II. ANALYSIS
¶ 61 On appeal, petitioner raises two issues. First, he argues that the relocation order is
against the manifest weight of the evidence. Second, he argues that the trial court erred in sua
sponte ordering that S.K. be enrolled at Westchester. We address each contention in turn.
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853¶ 62 A. Relocation Order
¶ 63 Prior to 2016, section 609 of the Act (750 ILCS 5/609 (West 2014)) governed the
“removal” (now relocation) of a child from Illinois. Section 609 provided that a court may grant
leave to remove a child “whenever such approval is in the best interests of such child or
children.” 750 ILCS 5/609 (West 2014); see P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 15. Although
section 609 was silent regarding the factors a trial court should consider in making this best-
interest determination, the supreme court developed various factors through case law. See
Collingbourne, 204 Ill. 2d at 522-23; In re Marriage of Smith, 172 Ill. 2d 312, 320-21 (1996); In
re Marriage of Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d 316, 326-28 (1988). These factors, referred to as the Eckert
factors, include (1) the likelihood that the proposed move will enhance the general quality of life
for both the custodial parent and the child; (2) the custodial parent’s motives for seeking
removal, to determine whether the proposed move is a ruse designed to frustrate or defeat the
noncustodial parent’s visitation; (3) the noncustodial parent’s motives in resisting removal; (4)
the effect removal will have on the noncustodial parent’s visitation rights, because it is in the
best interests of a child to have a healthy and close relationship with both parents, as well as with
other family members; and (5) whether a reasonable visitation schedule can be worked out.
P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 16 (citing Collingbourne, 204 Ill. 2d at 522-23, citing Eckert,
119 Ill. 2d at 326-27). The supreme court has stated that the Eckert factors are to be considered
and balanced by the trial court and that no one factor is controlling. Collingbourne, 204 Ill. 2d at
523.
¶ 64 Effective January 1, 2016, the General Assembly repealed section 609 of the Act and
replaced it with section 609.2. See Pub. Act 99-90, § 5-20 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016) (repealing 750
ILCS 5/609); Pub. Act 99-90, § 5-15 (eff. Jan. 1, 2016) (adding 750 ILCS 5/609.2). Section
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853609.2 codifies the factors a court must consider when ruling on a petition for relocation.
Pursuant to section 609.2, the trial court must decide whether relocation is appropriate, based
upon the best interests of the child in light of the following 11 factors:
“(1) the circumstances and reasons for the intended relocation;
(2) the reasons, if any, why a parent is objecting to the intended relocation;
(3) the history and quality of each parent’s relationship with the child and
specifically whether a parent has substantially failed or refused to exercise the parental
responsibilities allocated to him or her under the parenting plan or allocation judgment;
(4) the educational opportunities for the child at the existing location and at the
proposed new location;
(5) the presence or absence of extended family at the existing location and at the
proposed new location;
(6) the anticipated impact of the relocation on the child;
(7) whether the court will be able to fashion a reasonable allocation of parental
responsibilities between all parents if the relocation occurs;
(8) the wishes of the child, taking into account the child’s maturity and ability to
express reasoned and independent preferences as to relocation;
(9) possible arrangements for the exercise of parental responsibilities appropriate
to the parents’ resources and circumstances and the developmental level of the child;
(10) minimization of the impairment to a parent-child relationship caused by a
parent’s relocation; and
(11) any other relevant factors bearing on the child’s best interests.” 750 ILCS
5/609.2(g) (West 2016).
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853¶ 65 The party seeking judicial approval of the proposed relocation must establish by a
preponderance of the evidence that the relocation is in the child’s best interests. See Eckert, 119
Ill. 2d at 325; see also Collingbourne, 204 Ill. 2d at 521 (observing that the best interests of the
child is the “paramount question” that must be considered in a removal action); P.D., 2017 IL
App (2d) 170355, ¶ 15 (noting that parent seeking relocation has the burden of proving by a
preponderance of the evidence that relocation would be in the child’s best interests); In re
Marriage of Tedrick, 2015 IL App (4th) 140773, ¶ 49 (noting that burden of proof in a removal
case is a preponderance of the evidence). In deciding whether relocation is in the child’s best
interests, a trial court should hear “any and all relevant evidence.” Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at 326. We
are mindful, however, that a determination of the child’s best interests cannot be reduced to a
simple bright-line test, but rather must be made on a case-by-case basis, depending to a great
extent upon the circumstances of each case. Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at 326. A reviewing court does
not reweigh the competing considerations. Rather, it reviews the trial court’s decision
deferentially. As our supreme court has stated, “ ‘[t]he presumption in favor of the result
reached by the trial court is always strong and compelling in this type of case.’ ” Eckert, 119 Ill.
2d at 330 (quoting Gallagher v. Gallagher, 60 Ill. App. 3d 26, 31-32 (1978)); see also P.D., 2017
IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 18. Such deference is appropriate because the trier of fact has significant
opportunities to observe both the parents and, if applicable, the children, and therefore it is able
to assess and evaluate their temperaments, personalities, and capabilities. Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at
330. Accordingly, a trial court’s determination of what is in the best interests of a child should
not be reversed unless it is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at
328. A court’s decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence only where the opposite
conclusion is clearly apparent or where its findings are unreasonable, arbitrary, or not based on
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853the evidence presented. Best v. Best, 223 Ill. 2d 342, 350 (2006).
¶ 66 As set forth above, the trial court specifically addressed the section 609.2(g) factors and
considered the totality of the circumstances, and it ultimately granted respondent’s motion for
relocation. In light of the “strong and compelling” presumption favoring this result (Eckert, 119
Ill. 2d at 330), we conclude that the trial court’s decision is not against the manifest weight of the
evidence.
¶ 67 Petitioner raises various reasons why, in his opinion, the trial court’s order granting
relocation is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Petitioner’s assertions can be
categorized as follows. First, petitioner argues that the relocation will result in an unreasonable
reduction in his parenting time. Second, petitioner argues that the relocation will drastically
reduce the quality of his parenting time. Third, petitioner contends that the relocation will create
a significant financial burden on his right to exercise his parenting time. Fourth, petitioner
asserts that the trial court relied on findings that were contrary to or unsupported by the evidence.
Finally, petitioner argues that the trial court placed too much emphasis on the improvement of
the quality of respondent’s life. We address each argument in turn.
¶ 68 Petitioner first argues that the relocation order results in an unreasonable reduction in his
parenting time. We do not dispute that the relocation order results in a reduction in petitioner’s
parenting time. However, under the facts of this case, we do not agree that the reduction in
parenting time renders the trial court’s decision reversible.
¶ 69 The allocation judgment entered in February 2017 divided the parties’ parenting time
based on a two-week schedule. During the first week, petitioner’s parenting time began on
Wednesday at 5 p.m. and continued through Sunday at 5 p.m. During the second week,
petitioner’s parenting time began on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and continued through Friday at 5
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853p.m. The allocation judgment also provided that each party have three nonconsecutive weeks of
parenting time during S.K.’s summer break, alternate parenting time on major holidays, and
equal parenting time during spring and winter breaks. Under the trial court’s August 2017
orders, however, petitioner was allocated time with S.K. every other weekend (alternating
between Illinois and North Carolina) with extended time on long weekends, any additional time
as agreed by the parties, any additional time in North Carolina at petitioner’s election with 60
days’ notice to respondent, five weeks of summer break (divided into one period of three
consecutive weeks and one period of two consecutive weeks), half of winter break, and 75% of
spring break (the whole spring break one year and half of spring break the next year). The post-
relocation parenting-time schedule also provided that the parties alternate parenting time on
S.K.’s birthday and eliminated the parties’ birthdays, Halloween, New Year’s, and Christmas.
Thus, the post-relocation parenting-time schedule undoubtedly results in a reduction in
petitioner’s parenting time. See In re Marriage of Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916, ¶ 60
(acknowledging that reduced visitation by the noncustodial parent might be an unavoidable
consequence of allowing a petition for removal).
¶ 70 Petitioner relies on math to argue that the reduction in his parenting time is unreasonable.
He explains that, under the allocation judgment entered in February 2017, S.K. spent 6 nights
with him during each 14-day period and they spent face-to-face time together on 8 of those 14
days. In addition, petitioner was awarded time with S.K. during summer, spring, and winter
breaks, holidays, and birthdays. According to petitioner, under the allocation judgment, he had
approximately 164 overnights in a given year, or 44.9% of the annual overnights. Following the
relocation hearing, however, he has “a base summer and school year schedule of 82 overnights
per year, or 22.46% of the overnights.” According to petitioner, this is a substantial and
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853unreasonable reduction in parenting time, especially since the trial court found at the dissolution
hearing that his relationship with S.K. was “closer than many dads.”
¶ 71 Petitioner invoked this same position in his motion for reconsideration. The trial court
rejected petitioner’s argument and we do not find it any more persuasive on appeal. The trial
court described the parenting time given to petitioner upon relocation as “generous” and “in
excess of virtually every parenting schedule [it has] seen” in a relocation case. Petitioner also
argued in his motion for reconsideration that his parenting time had been cut from 164
overnights per year to 94 overnights per year. The court rejected petitioner’s calculation,
describing it as “flawed” math. The court explained:
“A simple review of the court orders indicates this math is flawed. How can you
determine 94 days when you don’t even know when he is going to come visit the child in
North Carolina? And again, counting number of days is not the test either. The issue is
quality of parenting time.”
The court added that case law supports that “groups of time, as opposed to daily or every-other-
day time[,] is sufficient and can be in the best interest of the child[ ]. That’s what I found in this
case.”
¶ 72 The trial court’s characterization of petitioner’s calculation as “flawed” is not without
foundation. Before this court, petitioner attempts to explain the formula for his calculation in his
brief, but he admits in a footnote that his formula “disregards the holidays and school breaks for
simplicity.” In addition, the exact number of “annual overnights” petitioner was awarded under
the February 2017 allocation judgment is not clear from petitioner’s brief. On one page of his
brief, petitioner represents that “with all holidays and breaks included,” he had “approximately
164 overnights in a given year.” On another page, petitioner states that he had “a base schedule
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853of 159 overnights per year” under the allocation judgment. On yet a third page, petitioner
indicates that the allocation judgment provided him with “156 overnights annually.” Petitioner
also provides inconsistent information regarding the number of overnights after relocation.
Petitioner represents that his annual overnights will be limited to 82. However, in his motion to
reconsider, petitioner represented this number as 94. Based on this evidence, we cannot say that
the trial court unfairly characterized petitioner’s math as “flawed.” Likewise, we note, as did the
trial court, that it would be difficult to determine the exact reduction in petitioner’s parenting
time, because, under the August 2017 orders, the parties could agree to additional parenting time
for petitioner and petitioner was allowed additional weekend visitation anytime in North
Carolina with proper notice to respondent. Given these circumstances, we decline to find that
the reduction in petitioner’s parenting time is unreasonable.
¶ 73 Petitioner cites several cases that he asserts are factually similar to this one and support
his claim that the trial court unreasonably reduced his parenting time. However, as noted, a
determination of the best interests of a child “must be made on a case-by-case basis, depending,
to a great extent, upon the circumstances of each case.” Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at 326; see also In re
Marriage of Berk, 215 Ill. App. 3d 459, 465-66 (1991) (noting that, because the best interests of
a child must be determined on the facts of each case, citation to and discussion of prior removal
cases are of little value in determining whether removal should be allowed). In any event, while
the cases petitioner cites all deal with involved fathers such as himself, they provide negligible
assistance in reviewing the trial court’s decision, because there are noteworthy factual
differences between them and this case. Significantly, the reviewing courts in the cited cases did
not rely only upon the decrease in ordered visitation. See, e.g., Shinall v. Carter, 2012 IL App
(3d) 110302 (reversing grant of petition to remove child to Colorado where the father’s parenting
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853time would be reduced by half, there was no evidence that the move would enhance the minor’s
quality of life, the minor had extended family members in Illinois with whom she was strongly
bonded, the travel involved would be expensive, the frequent and time-consuming travel
requirements would be a burden upon the minor, and the minor would be without her primary
caretaker (the mother) for weeks at a time); Tysl v. Levine, 278 Ill. App. 3d 431 (1996) (reversing
grant of petition for removal of the minor to Georgia where the minor’s visitation with the father
would decrease “by at least 50%,” the minor’s interaction with other relatives in Illinois would
be significantly diminished, the evidence relating to the quality of the minor’s lifestyle in
Georgia was “vague” and “uncertain,” the average standardized test scores at the Georgia school
the minor would attend were below the national average while the average standardized test
scores at the Illinois school the minor attended were well above the national average, and the
father was unsure how often he could travel given his modest salary); In re Marriage of Johnson,
277 Ill. App. 3d 675 (1996) (reversing grant of removal where proposed visitation schedule upon
removal resulted in “at least” a 50% reduction in the father’s visitation and the only possible
benefit of removal arose from the mother’s improved marital relationship with her new husband,
which was insufficient to show that removal would enhance the minor’s quality of life); In re
Marriage of Davis, 229 Ill. App. 3d 653 (1992) (reversing grant of removal where proposed
visitation schedule upon removal represented a 35% reduction in the father’s visitation, the
minor would be deprived of regular contact with her two brothers and her grandparents, the
minor had no family living in Georgia, there was no evidence comparing the quality of the
education the minor would receive in Georgia versus that in Illinois, there was no evidence that
the quality of the minor’s life would be enhanced by the proposed move given that the mother
had not secured employment in Georgia, the mother’s fiancé had not presented evidence to
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853support his claim of enhanced income, and the mother’s claim that she would be able to spend
more time with the minor was unclear); Berk, 215 Ill. App. 3d 459 (affirming denial of request to
remove children to Canada to live with the mother and her new husband where the removal
would result in the father having 18% fewer days of visitation, most members of the children’s
extended family resided in Illinois, the Canadian and American education systems differed, the
children barely knew the mother’s new husband, transportation between Illinois and Canada
would be limited and expensive, and the mother would be employed at essentially the same
income as in Illinois).
¶ 74 Petitioner next argues that the travel time and hotel stays required under the post-
relocation parenting schedule will “drastically reduce the quality of [his] parenting time with
[S.K.]” Petitioner contends that both he and S.K. will have to spend a significant amount of time
each month simply traveling between North Carolina and Illinois. He further complains that his
parenting time with S.K. in North Carolina will occur in a hotel room, not in his home where he
and S.K. can share the normal, day-to-day interactions and experiences that S.K. has been able to
enjoy with him for her whole life. However, petitioner cites no authority for the proposition that
relocation should be denied on the basis that the noncustodial parent and the child will have to
travel or stay in a hotel to see each other. As respondent notes, if this were so, relocation would
never be granted. We note that, in granting relocation, the trial court considered travel issues at
length, including petitioner’s complaint that they would impact the quality of his parenting time.
The court observed, however, that petitioner could adjust his work schedule, as he had in the
past, to allow for longer weekends. The court also noted that the evidence showed “lots of direct
flights between Chicago and Greensboro and Chicago and Raleigh” and that the airport in
Greensboro is close to where respondent intends to live, thereby resulting in a shorter commuting
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853time.
¶ 75 Petitioner cites three cases on this issue, In re Marriage of Krivi, 283 Ill. App. 3d 772(1996), Shinall, 2012 IL App (3d) 110302, and Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916. Again, we
find that these cases provide negligible assistance in reviewing the trial court’s decision, because
there are noteworthy factual differences between them and this case. See Krivi, 283 Ill. App. 3d
772 (finding that proposed visitation schedule would require the father to travel 3400 miles by
car between Illinois and Minnesota, thereby denying the father “any meaningful contact” with
his children since most of the visitation time would be spent traveling in a car); Shinall, 2012 IL
App (3d) 110302 (reversing a removal order in part because “the burden of the frequent and
time-consuming travel requirements” would fall upon a three-year-old child. In Demaret, the
appellate court affirmed the denial of the mother’s petition for removal, in part because the time
the father would have to spend traveling would curtail his weekend visitation with the children
and staying in a hotel with the children would not be a substitute for the home environment he
could provide in Illinois. Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916, ¶¶ 55-57. However, there was no
evidence in Demaret that the father could modify his work schedule to accommodate the travel
and prolong his visitation. Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916, ¶ 54 (noting that longer
weekends would be difficult to put into practice, given the father’s work schedule). In this case,
petitioner acknowledged that he had made various requests to modify his work schedule since
S.K. was born and that his employer had always accommodated his requests. We also note that
the Demaret court questioned the mother’s motives for seeking removal, finding that her request
stemmed from her desire to control all aspects of the children’s lives (Demaret, 2012 IL App
(1st) 111916, ¶¶ 51-52), a factor that is not present in this case.
¶ 76 Citing Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916, ¶ 59, petitioner also claims that the relocation
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853order creates a significant financial burden on his right to exercise parenting time with S.K.
Petitioner’s reliance on Demaret is unclear, as he cites the court’s discussion of the mother’s
proposal in that case to contribute $5000 toward travel expenses to allow the father to have a
visitation schedule in New Jersey (where the mother proposed to move) similar to the one he had
in Illinois. In Demaret, the visitation schedule in Illinois involved every other weekend, on
Wednesday nights, and when the mother traveled for work. Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916,
¶ 59. However, the court found that the cost of travel alone undermined the mother’s proposal,
because the financial assistance she offered would cover only 22 round-trip tickets per year for
the father and the four children. Demaret, 2012 IL App (1st) 111916, ¶ 59. Petitioner does not
explain how this discussion applies here. More significantly, we find that petitioner’s financial
circumstances are quite different from those of the father in Demaret. In Demaret, the father’s
gross income fluctuated dramatically, as he earned $102,467 in 2008 and $32,819 in 2010. In
the present case, the trial court found petitioner’s annual gross income to be $119,000.
Moreover, while the trial court ordered petitioner to pay all costs associated with exercising his
parenting time in North Carolina, it required respondent to pay all costs related to S.K. traveling
to Illinois for her parenting time with petitioner. Under these circumstances, we find nothing
about the travel required in this case that would render relocation inappropriate.
¶ 77 Petitioner next argues that the trial court made a number of findings about benefits that
S.K. would experience from the relocation to North Carolina, such as a higher income for
respondent, insurance through respondent’s new job, less time in daycare than she would need in
Illinois, better housing, and free college tuition. According to petitioner, however, many of the
trial court’s findings about these benefits are contrary to or unsupported by the evidence.
¶ 78 As to respondent’s income, the trial court found that respondent’s income would increase
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853to $96,000. The court stated that this increase was “[n]ot great,” but was still an indirect benefit
to S.K. The trial court stated that the increased salary would allow respondent to pay the tuition
at Westchester. We agree with petitioner that the trial court’s finding that respondent would earn
$96,000 per year at High Point University is contrary to the evidence. The record shows that
respondent’s salary at High Point University is actually $87,000, which is only slightly more
than her salary at UIC. However, petitioner cites no authority that the lack of a significant salary
increase is determinative. See Davis, 229 Ill. App. 3d at 662 (observing that an increase in
standard of living alone is not determinative in removal case). We also point out that, while the
trial court cited the purported salary increase as an indirect benefit to S.K., it also cited other
factors related to respondent’s job, including the fact that respondent would be required to be on
campus only five hours a day and would have a shorter commute. The court found that this
would give respondent more quality time with S.K.
¶ 79 Petitioner also asserts that any slight increase in respondent’s salary will be offset by
expenses that would not occur if S.K. remained in Illinois. As examples, petitioner cites the
tuition at Westchester and the cost for S.K. and her chaperone to travel to Illinois each month.
However, petitioner’s argument ignores that respondent would also incur certain expenses if she
remained in Illinois that she would not incur in North Carolina. For instance, the evidence
established that Emerson will relocate with respondent and S.K. and will make a “substantial”
down payment on the home they will reside in together. Emerson also stated that she will pay
the real estate taxes, utilities, and insurance. This assistance would not be available if respondent
remained in Illinois, as Emerson testified that she is not willing to move to the Chicago area if
relocation is denied. In addition, petitioner ignores the fact that respondent is obtaining her
Ph.D. for free in North Carolina. There was no evidence of any similar financial assistance in
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853Illinois if she were to remain here and pursue a Ph.D. Accordingly, we find this argument
unpersuasive.
¶ 80 Petitioner next takes issue with the court’s finding that respondent’s employer-provided
“health insurance and benefits” for herself and her family is a benefit to S.K., because the
judgment of dissolution provides that petitioner has the responsibility to maintain health
insurance for S.K. However, the court referenced not only the insurance but other benefits as
well. In any event, petitioner cites nothing that would prohibit S.K. from receiving health
insurance from both petitioner and respondent.
¶ 81 Petitioner next disputes the trial court’s findings with respect to daycare. The trial court
found that, if relocation is permitted, S.K. “will have less daycare.” Petitioner suggests that this
finding is not supported by the evidence. However, respondent testified that S.K. will not need
daycare in North Carolina, because (1) Emerson is moving with them and can pick up S.K. from
school when respondent is unable to do so and (2) respondent will be on campus for only five
hours a day. Respondent further testified that, if she remained in Illinois, she “would assume”
that S.K. would have to go to daycare. She explained that there were no academic positions
available in the Chicago area, so she would be “forced to go back to being a clinician,” with
hours in the early morning, late at night, and on weekends to accommodate patients who work.
Although admittedly we are dealing with “unknowable future events” (P.D., 2017 IL App (2d)
170355, ¶ 33), the trial court’s finding that S.K. will spend less time in daycare constituted a
reasonable conclusion based on the evidence.
¶ 82 Petitioner nevertheless asserts that the evidence established that S.K. had not needed any
daycare in Illinois since she started kindergarten in August 2016. He therefore concludes that
“the status quo is not that [S.K.] needs daycare now, and it is inappropriate to compare her future
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853needs for daycare with what she needed before starting kindergarten.” Petitioner’s position is
problematic for two principal reasons. First, as petitioner readily acknowledges, S.K. did go to
daycare during petitioner’s weekday parenting time in summer 2017 when she was not in school.
Thus, petitioner misinterprets the “status quo.” Second, petitioner’s suggestion that the trial
court compared “S.K.’s future need for daycare with what she needed before starting
kindergarten” is without foundation. In concluding that S.K. “will have less daycare” in North
Carolina, the trial court compared the daycare needs in North Carolina if relocation were allowed
to the daycare needs in Illinois if relocation were denied. As noted previously, respondent
testified that if relocation were denied she would have to quit her job at High Point University
and obtain a position as a physical therapy clinician. This, in turn, would require weekend hours
and earlier or later hours during the week. Emerson testified that she would not move to the
Chicago area if relocation were denied. Petitioner posits that staying in Illinois would not
necessarily result in more daycare for S.K. He explains that, given the “flexibility” of
respondent’s job at UIC, she could schedule her early morning, late evening, and weekend hours
during his parenting time. However, petitioner cites no evidence that any scheduling flexibility
respondent had at UIC would be available at a new position elsewhere.
¶ 83 Petitioner also suggests that respondent’s testimony that she would be on campus for only
five hours a day is speculative. He points out that Hegedus noted that “most people” stay on
campus longer than five hours. Petitioner also complains that “less daycare in this situation
means that [respondent’s] 71-year-old mother is staying with [S.K.] as opposed to paying for an
outside daycare.” The fact remains that the trial court was satisfied, after hearing the evidence,
that respondent’s work hours and Emerson’s presence would mean that S.K. would not need
daycare. As noted, the trial court’s findings are entitled to great deference (see Eckert, 119 Ill.
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2018 IL App (2d) 1708532d at 330), and, given the evidence presented in this case, petitioner’s arguments do not present a
compelling reason to set aside the court’s finding regarding daycare.
¶ 84 Petitioner next argues that the trial court should not have compared the housing in North
Carolina to respondent’s temporary apartment in Illinois, as opposed to the marital residence in
Downers Grove. This argument finds no basis in the record. It is true that at the relocation
hearing respondent testified to her living situation in Illinois after she moved out of the marital
home. It is also true that in the course of its ruling the trial court discussed housing in North
Carolina. The trial court stated that, “[a]s to residences, [respondent] has looked and plans to
buy, with the help of her mother’s money.” The court also commented that respondent “claims
the housing she looked at [in North Carolina] is better housing, bigger for less money and more
yard and more space.” The court later remarked that petitioner “argued a bigger and nicer
residence in North Carolina expected by [respondent] is rank speculation. He’s probably right
there.” We find no evidence, however, that the trial court compared respondent’s housing in
North Carolina to her apartment in Illinois, and petitioner directs us to nothing in the record to
support such a claim.
¶ 85 Petitioner next argues that the benefit of free college tuition at High Point University is
too tenuous to justify relocation. Petitioner asserts that there was no basis for concluding
anything about S.K.’s college plans at this point, since she was only 6 years old and would not
attend college for another 12 years. Although the time frame involved might reduce the
significance of the availability of free tuition, we nevertheless conclude that it was reasonable for
the trial court to find that this benefit would accrue to S.K. as a result of relocation. Accordingly,
we reject petitioner’s claim that the trial court improperly relied on this evidence in support of its
decision to grant the motion to relocate.
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853¶ 86 Finally, petitioner argues that the trial court erred in considering the improvement to the
quality of respondent’s life, because it is not a factor under section 609.2(g) (see 750 ILCS
5/609.2(g) (West 2016)). In support of his position, petitioner primarily relies upon P.D., 2017
IL App (2d) 170355. 1
¶ 87 In P.D., this court found that, in enacting section 609.2(g) of the Act (750 ILCS
5/609.2(g) (West 2016)), the legislature “omit[ted] the first Eckert factor [(the likelihood that the
proposed move will enhance the general quality of life for both the custodial parent and the
child)], reference[d] only the best interests of the child, and [did] not mention the custodial
parent.” P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 34. We then stated that, “[g]iven the new statutory
directives, *** the reasoning of Eckert and Collingbourne and progeny, to the extent it requires
weighing the likelihood that the move will enhance the custodial parent’s quality of life, is
unhelpful in evaluating the trial court’s best-interest determination in the case before us.” P.D.,
2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 36. Petitioner suggests that, under P.D., the correct approach in a
relocation case is to focus on whether the quality of the child’s life is enhanced, not the quality of
the custodial parent’s life.
¶ 88 In essence, petitioner interprets P.D. as holding that a trial court may not consider
whether relocation would benefit the parents. We reject this position. In P.D., this court simply
recognized that, in enacting section 609.2 of the Act (750 ILCS 5/609.2 (West 2016)), the
legislature “intended to emphasize the child’s best interests over those of the custodial parent.”
P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 36. Although we found that cases requiring consideration of
1
Although P.D. was released after the trial court’s August 2017 orders, petitioner alerted
the court to the case and the court discussed the case in addressing petitioner’s motion to
reconsider.
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853“the likelihood that the move will enhance the custodial parent’s quality of life” were
“unhelpful” (P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 36), nothing in P.D. prohibits a court from
considering an enhancement to the custodial parent’s quality of life. In fact, in deciding a motion
to relocate, section 609.2(g)(11) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g)(11) (West 2016)) directs the court to
consider “any other relevant factors bearing on the child’s best interests.”
¶ 89 Petitioner suggests that in P.D. we rejected the argument that section 609.2(g)(11)
permits a court to consider an enhancement to the custodial parent’s quality of life. We disagree.
The custodial parent in P.D. argued that section 609.2(g)(11) “might be the appropriate place to
consider the impact of the move on [her] life.” P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶ 47. In
addressing this argument, we responded, “we believe the trial court properly placed
consideration of P.D.’s best interests above the likely enhancement to [the custodial parent’s]
general quality of life as a result of relocating to New Jersey.” P.D., 2017 IL App (2d) 170355, ¶
47. We read nothing in this language to prohibit a court from considering an enhancement to the
custodial parent’s quality of life under section 609.2(g)(11), as long as the court is satisfied that it
has a bearing on the child’s best interests.
¶ 90 Petitioner nevertheless asserts that respondent had a good job in her field at UIC that she
“loved” but that she voluntarily left it to take a similar job in North Carolina earning a
comparable salary. Given these circumstances, petitioner concludes, any “financial necessity
giving rise to the indirect benefit to the child is absent in this case.” As part of its consideration
of the factors set forth in section 609.2(g) (750 ILCS 5/609.2(g) (West 2016)) and the factors set
forth in section 602.7 (750 ILCS 5/602.7 (West 2016)), the trial court noted the benefits to S.K.
and to respondent that would result from the relocation. Ultimately, the court concluded that
S.K. “will benefit both directly and indirectly if relocation is granted.” The court cited more than
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853financial benefits to S.K. Among the benefits the court cited were those involving “daycare and
college and benefits and housing.” For instance, the court noted that respondent’s work hours
and commute in North Carolina would allow her to spend more time with S.K. and S.K. to spend
less time in daycare. The court also noted that respondent and S.K. will have extended family in
North Carolina, as Emerson plans to move with them. Further, S.K. will have access to
respondent’s employment benefits, including a tuition benefit at High Point University. In other
words, the court found that allowing the relocation will improve the quality of S.K.’s life by
facilitating respondent’s involvement in more of S.K.’s day-to-day care, enabling more frequent
contact with Emerson, and providing other benefits appurtenant to respondent’s employment.
¶ 91 In conclusion, the trial court specifically addressed the section 609.2(g) factors and,
based on the totality of the circumstances, granted respondent’s motion for relocation. Again, a
“strong and compelling” presumption favors the result reached by the trial court, as it had the
opportunity to observe the parties and thus was able to assess and evaluate their temperaments,
personalities, and capabilities. Eckert, 119 Ill. 2d at 330. The fact that the evidence in this case
was close, as recognized by the court and the parties’ experts, strengthens this presumption. For
the reasons set forth above, and after careful consideration of the record, we cannot say that the
court’s decision is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 92 B. School Enrollment
¶ 93 Petitioner also argues that the trial court erred in sua sponte ordering that S.K. be enrolled
at Westchester. According to petitioner, the trial court acted contrary to proper procedure,
because no pleadings presented the court with the question whether S.K. should attend the
school. See Suriano v. Lafeber, 386 Ill. App. 3d 490, 492 (2008) (“[I]f a justiciable issue is not
presented to the court through proper pleadings, the court cannot sua sponte adjudicate an
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853issue.”). Further, petitioner asserts that the ruling was contrary to the allocation judgment, which
provides that, if the parties cannot agree about a significant issue, they are required to mediate
the dispute.
¶ 94 We reject petitioner’s contention that the question of S.K.’s enrollment at Westchester
was not before the court. Respondent stated in her motion for relocation that, if relocation were
granted, she would enroll S.K. in a private school in North Carolina. Respondent prayed for
entry of an order granting her leave to relocate and for “such other relief as [the] Court may find
reasonable and just.” Further, at the relocation hearing, the parties presented extensive testimony
regarding the educational opportunities for S.K. in both North Carolina and Illinois. Respondent
testified that she researched several schools in North Carolina and thought that Westchester was
the best “fit” for S.K. Respondent told petitioner about Westchester, informed him of when
admission testing would occur, and encouraged him to talk with representatives of the school.
According to respondent, however, petitioner did not contact the school. Petitioner
acknowledged that respondent told him about Westchester. He stated that he objected to
respondent’s taking S.K. to be tested at the school. He added that he “never agreed” to the
school but did not “object” to it. Petitioner testified that his concern was that the classes at
Westchester are too small. Thus, the issue of S.K.’s educational opportunities was placed
squarely before the court.
¶ 95 Moreover, while the allocation judgment sets forth a procedure to resolve disagreements
concerning significant issues, petitioner does not explain how reversing this provision of the trial
court’s order would serve S.K.’s best interests. Indeed, at the relocation hearing petitioner did
not advance any cogent reason for opposing S.K.’s enrollment at Westchester. His only concern
was that the classes at Westchester are too small. However, petitioner did not indicate why this
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2018 IL App (2d) 170853was problematic. Finally, we observe that petitioner is under no financial obligation for the
tuition at Westchester. For all of the foregoing reasons, we reject petitioner’s argument that the
trial court erred in sua sponte ordering that S.K. be enrolled at Westchester.
¶ 96 III. CONCLUSION
¶ 97 For the reasons set forth above, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Du Page
County granting respondent’s motion to relocate to North Carolina.
¶ 98 Affirmed.
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