SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that will alleviate obstacles for adoptees to obtain post-adoption information related to their birth and adoption passed the Senate on Wednesday.
“This measure levels the playing field for all adopted adults who are seeking information about themselves through the confidential intermediary program. Permitting record access for those who were placed through child welfare agencies that have since closed their doors, does exactly that,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).
Senate Bill 2134 adds clarifying language to the Adoption Act to permit a confidential intermediary to have access to stored records from closed adoption agencies. Currently, records of closed agencies are housed at the central state storage facility.
“Adoptees deserve access to information about the first chapter of life,” said Feigenholtz. “While more than 20,000 adoptees in Illinois have been able to access a copy of their original birth certificate, the ability to learn more granular details and fill in the puzzle pieces of the circumstances of their birth and adoption that remain in closed agency files is critical,” Feigenholtz added.
Senate Bill 2134 passed the Senate on Wednesday and moves to the House for deliberation.
