IL ADOPTION LAW

Just recently IL newspapers published a heartwarming story about the law. BUT only what the public likes to read or hear about on the news.  Plus it was very misleading in not telling the truth about the law.

Some IL adult adoptees do have access to their original birth certificate (OBC) with no strings attached.  Conditions apply to others.  Birth mothers had an opportunity to attempt to keep their identity from becoming known - thus a few adoptees will receive a redacted certificate.  Their birth mother's name will be marked out in some way.  Hundreds of adoptees have been told their birth certificate can not be found. 

Is IL an open records state as being told?  NO!  There are only eight states who are - Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Kansas,  Maine, New Hampshire Oregon and Tennessee.

The IL law does not go far enough and a new bill needs to be sponsored because ALL adoptees should be treated equal.  No adoptee should be left behind.

Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) seems to think the IL adoption law is great.  I don't know that she will sponsor another bill.  Who will?  Illinois voters need to be talking to their legislators to see if any can convince Rep. Feigenholtz to sponsor another bill to clean up what needs to be done OR will another legislator take this job on.

My Letter to the Editor

My most recent letter was published on 10/31/10 in The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana, IL)

To read it go to www.marylynnfuller.com and click "Letters to the Editor".

Stay tuned for a new blog after today's election returns are in.

IL State Representative Districts 12th & 103rd

Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-12th District) has been very detrimental to adoption reform in IL. Just her lying and sneaky traits tell me that she must be doing a lot of harm in Springfield. Her opponent Dave Lenkowski is a history teacher and comes across as an honest person who would do as much good for the people as he possibly can. I don't live within the 12th district so I can't vote for Dave but I strongly support him.

In the 103rd District we have Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D) who might as well be glued to Rep. Feigenholtz's hip when it comes to adoption reform. Although she is an adoptive mother and Rep. Feigenholtz is an adoptee, they are anti-adoptee civil rights. The reason that I say this is because the new IL law does not treat all adoptees equal. Those waiting until Nov. 15, 2011 to submit a request for their original birth certificate will have conditions to go by and a wait to see if they will actually receive the document. There are others like myself who fall into a category that was not covered within the text of the new law. I'm entitled to my birth certificate now but instead I'm waiting while the problem that arose with releasing it is resolved. Just how long this will take, we shall see.

Rep. Jakobsson has failed her constituents in other ways other than adoption reform. It is past time to put her out to pasture and Norm Davis would be a great replacement for her in Springfield. He is a Christian who cares about people. He is a businessman and his experience would be of help with digging IL out of a $13 billion deficit, if not more by now.

Both Dave Lenkowski and Norm Davis are Republicans but neither one has indicated that their party is more important than the people. This is vital if Illinois is to survive!

VOTE FOR Dave Lenkowski in the 12th District and Norm Davis in the 103rd District!

HOW MANY MISINTERPRETATIONS?

It is no big surprise to me that the text of IL HB 5428 (now known as PA-96-0895) has resulted in at least one misterpretation of the legislative intent of the law. I'm glad that I questioned why I was told that I had to wait until Nov. 15, 2011 to apply for my OBC. My birth mother is deceased and I had enclosed a copy of her death record.

A reply letter from Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) confirmed my suspicion. Her letter went on to say, "Once this issue is resolved someone will be contacting you so that you may obtain a non-certified copy of your original birth certificate.".

While I am trying to be patient during the wait I can't help but wonder how many misinterpretations will result from the dysfunctional writing of the lengthy text. There are other situations besides having a deceased birth mother. I know of one person not allowed to register with IARMIE. I'm sure the list must go on and I hope those being denied will email me at mlf@marylynnfuller.com so I can enter you into a rejects database. Problems don't go away unless addressed.

It is so important to not take "NO" for an answer unless you are absolutely certain there is no option. I doubt very much that we have a team of attorneys on board in the Division of Vital Records to interpret the text of the law. No, it might not require that but believe me it is easy to tire of the tedious reading when so many words are repeated. Even though it is lengthy it does appear that some situations were left out. Prior to November 15, 2011 is the testing period in my honest opinion. Vital Records will receive lots more applications on or after this date.

So if you have had an application returned to you, please speak out! I know that some of you are used to hearing the word, "NO" but sometimes there are alternatives and you need to utilize them.

IL OBC REJECTS DATABASE

I have started an IL Rejects Database to compile statistics as to how many requests for OBC's are refused, received advice to resubmit on or after November 15, 2011 or been told they don't qualify to register with IARMIE. The mistakes made writing the text of the law must be fixed. If they are not, I don't think we can expect any better in the time ahead.

Please spread the word that I can be contacted by dropping me an email at mlfuller65@comcast.net.

I won't be publishing the list of names but I will enter them on the database along with contact information so that when a person of importance does listen about the flaws of this law, we will hopefully have ammuntion to get changes made.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NEW IL LAW

Many among the Internet Adoption Community do not agree about the new IL adoption law (May 2010). It is not a perfect world so it is no surprise.

Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln in honor of former President Abraham Lincoln. He was known for his honesty and believing in that all should be treated equal. It is a wonder that he has not come out of his grave and shaken his fists at our legislators and governor.

We have a Democrat governor and the Democrats were controlling the House and Senate. A perfect year for Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D) to sponsor an unrestricted bill. Of course, there would have been some opposition. Many oppose to change. I'm one that changes with the times or I'd be typing this on a standard typewriter and posting it on a bulletin board. But I strongly oppose to the new law because it does not treat all adopted adults equal.

What on earth is fair about those born prior to 1/1/46 being able to request and receive their original birth certificate (OBC)? Word on the street is that even these adoptees are waiting months before receiving their OBC. But yet the media was told that they would be treated just like those non-adopted and receive it within the average turnaround time. Those born on or after 1/1/46 can request and receive their OBC beginning November 15, 2011.

Some adoptees might die within this waiting period but a family member could request their OBC. It won't mean as much to them but what the heck.

My own birth mother is deceased and according to Rep. Feigenholtz's Web site I can request my OBC and submit her death record. I did that almost a month ago and it was returned to me rather quickly. In so many words it was said that I'm not old enough and can request my OBC in November 2011. I have written to Rep. Feigenholtz since she sponsored the bill that became law and should be able to clarify whether I can have my OBC now or not. I have gone through the text of the law and unless I overlooked it I'd say my own situation was not covered. It makes me wonder what else might have been overlooked. Or perhaps if I'm mistaken, will some of the employees for the Registry and Vital Stats make mistakes.

I could go on and on but the above is a summary of why I don't think the new IL adoption law is great. Congratulations to those who can receive their OBC now and good luck to the rest!

IL's New Adoption Law

The News Gazette (7/16/10)

JOAN GRIFFIS: ILLINOIS ANCESTORS

Adoption bill

Mary Lynn Fuller, P.O. Box 184, Urbana, IL 61803, has written to tell that the adoption bill recently signed by Gov. Quinn is "horrid"and her lengthy letter details the bill's unfair provisions. As an adoptee herself, she "would be more than happy to receive email from anyone with questions" (or offers to "help turn this mess around") at mlf@marylynnfuller.com."

(A scanned copy of this part of the newspaper is at www.marylynnfuller.com (click "In the news").