In Re Marriage of Lappe

The appellant, the Illinois Department of Public Aid (the Department), filed a motion to intervene in a dissolution action pending between Larry and Lynn Lappe in the circuit court of Madison County. The Department sought to intervene on behalf of Larry Lappe, the custodial parent of the divorced couple’s unemancipated minor child, pursuant to sections 10 — 1 and 10 — 10 of the Public Aid Code (305 ILCS 5/10 — 1, 10 — 10 (West 1994)). The Department also filed a petition on Larry’s behalf to establish a child support obligation on the part of the appellee, Lynn Lappe. Lynn filed objections to…