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Currently, there is no legislation in Illinois for Open Records. However, there is a new law that took effect as of January 1, 2000, that revamped the Illinois State Registry. If both the adult adoptee and the birth parent registers with the Illinois State Registry, and the birth parent signs the papers of release, not only will a match be made but the adult adoptee will be allowed a copy of their original birth certificate.
This is a minor step in the right direction for adult adoptees but it is not the end of the fight for Open Records here in Illinois. Recently, I spoke at length with an Illinois legislator about possible new legislation. His opinion was that we needed to spend some time educating the other legislators in Illinois to the need of Open
Records before attempting to introduce a new bill to the legislature.
So, here is my plan for the next year.
I will attempt to contact ALL of the Illinois legislators in the same low key way I approached this man and, with luck, educate them to the needs of adult adoptees to have access to their OWN records and medical histories. I will also try and get the statistics from the Illinois Registry to present to the legislature after the new law has been in effect for 1 year to show that the registry is not and never will be a substitute for Open Records. I will stay in contact with my local legislator to keep him up to date with all that is happening and the feelings of the other
legislators in Illinois and, last but not least, I will continue to try and get media coverage on this issue to help educate the public at large about our need for Open Records.
Want to help, click here to go to Green Ribbon Campaign and click on Contact Us.
Want to contact your local Illinois legislator? Click here to go to the Illinois State and Local Government web site to locate your legislator and their contact information.
Please take a few moments to look over this petition for open records and, if you agree with it, take one more minute and sign it.
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