Custody Battle Question?

I'm trying to research & find out what rights I & the father of my child have.....if we were to split up. I'm in Chicago. We've been together 12 years & our child is 8.....but we never married. I keep hearing that since we haven't actually married....he basically has no rights. Not that I plan to keep our child from him but I'm a little worried about his new girlfriend who has a bad reputation. I keep hearing horror stories of her taking her ex to court & the list just goes on. It might not even get to that point but I'm starting to get a little freaked out about it. No...have not talked to a lawyer yet & I honestly don't think I have anything to worry about but I'm trying to be prepared.......just in case. Can anyone help? All the info I've found online has so far been with "divorced" parents & again....we never married. However....he did sign the birth certificate.