How do I file a lawsuit against DCFS before my trial?

It appears they are seeking a wardship (or perhaps a termination, but I suspect the former). In such a scenario, you've been appointed an attorney...

Electronic record under my name shows strike from the call allowed, what does this mean?

Agree w/ my colleague. Call the clerk tomorrow to be 100% certain, things happen sometime.

If I live in NJ and my ex filed in IL, can I attend the child support/visitation via telephone? Or do I have to be present? ?

The case MIGHT have been dismissed had you hired a lawyer. There's an issue of personal jurisdiction, possibly. However, if you filed an answer...

You can seek temporary guardianship - it's only good for 6 months. Won't work is she's trying to front run DCFS however.

When you go to court, what's your adrenaline level at? Level 11 right? The cliffnotes of the Law is 1100 page long and sells for $500 or so -...

How can I fix my situation?

That’s going to be up to the states attorney. And it will vary on the county.

What are the laws of a mother and her child in terms of dependency?

I've moved this question to guardianship. You can only "claim" guardianship over someone that's 18 if they're disabled and IN NEED of a guardian.

Can it hurt if heart felt letters to a judge or gardian EnLitum can hurt a custody case about the defendent?

Yes. Yes it will. I once had a family member do that (without me knowing in advance) to a judge. The judge was less than pleased when she go it...

How can i make sure that i hired a good lawyer? How can i make sure that the lawyer i hire does not just extend the case?

Extend the case? Extending a case doesn't change the billing. Filing motions, doing extensive discovery, and holding hearings = high billables. ...

This becomes a tricky situation. I'm presuming you have a lawyer, half million dollar judgments aren't levied on insolvent persons - unless you're...