Dear T.,
I commend you on your continued concern and compassion for your ex.
But a child deserves the emotional and finacial support of both parents and your ex has already begun a cycle of withholding support from your child when he became upset with you. This is certainly not something you want to deal with for the next 17 years.
As to the thoughts of him being broke and unable to fend for himself because he is paying child support. Illinois law is 20% of NET income (after taxes, etc.) for one child. So while this might cut into his spending on the fun stuff he used to do he still has enough to live on.
You had to rethink everything and rebudget everything for your daughter, now he does to.
Additionally, this order of support will alleviate the issues of you having to ask him for that bottle of water and him having the power over the situation to say no to get "even" with you for something.
Be sure to keep the visitation and child support issues separate as they don't have anything to do with each other.
If you ever run into problems with your child support, the Illinois Department of Child Support Enforcement or need more information on your child's rights to support under Illinois law, feel free to join Child Support In Illinois.
We are a non-profit organization for custodial parents in Illinois that provides education and help with issues of child support.
Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChildSupportinIllinois
Website: http://www.childsupportinillinois.com/
Best wishes on your upcoming marriage. Your daughter is very fortunate to have two loving men in her life!