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").

DEROGATORY INTERNET ADOPTION PUZZLES

Careful thought was given to whether I should write this blog or not. Once I decided that I should defend myself, a busy schedule kept me from doing it until now. There is a difference between criticism and telling lies about someone you don't like.

It was crafty how blogs and newsletters were referred to so that a few words could be taken from here and there to form lies. Perhaps jigsaw puzzles became boring since all pieces to the right one do fit. I did wonder if this was a result of my speaking out over what I saw with my own eyes or because someone did not receive what they had asked for; or perhaps both.

There are organizations that I don't believe in since they don't support open records for ALL adopted adults. There are some who do until the going gets tough and a legislator wants to add some conditions and it is thought to be okay. It is entirely their choice just as it is my choice to not support a conditional bill.

I was one of many who did try to stop IL HB 5428 in its tracks. The bottom line is that it does not treat ALL adopted adults equally and anything less is just not acceptable to me. Somehow this new law must be changed, the sooner the better. But those who want to bad mouth that we were not successful in stopping the horrid bill from becoming law must have selective memory to have forgotten that the bill was whisked through terribly fast. A legislator who had told me that she would keep me informed about any adoption legislature is now a liar in my book. I am doing all that I can to see that she loses in the November election.

I do encourage those who read something derogatory about someone to read back through blogs and newsletters to see for yourself as to if it is really true. Never will all of us among the Internet adoption community agree 100% on everything. It just is not a perfect world. But we activists for adoptee rights have a tough battle on our hands and to waste time on being crafty is using energy that could be better spent.

HURRICANE IL HB 5428

As many of you know adoption deformers are coming out in numbers. Unfortunately this is an attention getter. Innocent new advocates can get caught up with the talk that deformers dish out and actually begin to believe that it is okay to leave some adoptees behind as long as some will have access to their original birth certificates (OBC).

Not long ago Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) made it sound to the public that the bill she sponsored was great while telling others that it was not the best bill. Deformers do tend to talk whichever way the wind blows. Of course it was just not Rep. Feigenholtz that created a lot of damaging wind in IL. The wind was so strong that we reformers did not have much of an opportunity to air our views and when we tried, the wind just hushed us right out. "Hurricane IL HB 5428: blew in a horrid new law that we reformers must now do something about.

One major step will be to knock deformers down, help them back up and make them realize that we will not tolerate any adoptee being left behind.

I have no way of knowing if we have any IL adoptees born on Jan. 2, 1946 but we must have some born in 1946 who do not have access to their OBC while those born prior to Jan. 1, 1946 do. Many of us know what it is like to stand in line for a long time, only for the person in front of us to be told they are the last one in. But that is absolutely nothing compared to being a 64 year old IL adoptee who has waited for many years to hold their OBC in their hands but then be told they are not quite old enough. True in Nov. 2011 they can request their OBC, and if no birth parent identified on the OBC has claimed anonymity, they will receive it. But if one has, they will receive a redacted version that will not mean nearly as much to them. Something is wrong with the picture, don't you think? Chances are very few birth parents will go this route but still why should there be strings attached when their biological mother and possibly the biological father too had their legal right severed in a court of law many years ago. Keep in mind too that some of the 64 year olds could pass away while waiting for Nov. 2011 to arrive.

I know that those new to adoption reform might be confused over who to beleive when they hear that it is okay to support a bill that leaves some adoptees behind while others only support ALL adopted adults having access to their OBC. But I'd think they could just give thoght to how this might apply in everyday life when they, a spouse, or a child are not treated the same as everyone else. It is upsetting and should not be tolerated.

Please throw out your deformer shoes and grab a pair of reformers!

IL HB 5428 LEADS TO DISRESPECT & MISREPRESENTATION

We can only suspect what blew HB 5428 through both houses without much opposition from legislators. The text of the bill is evidence that if it would become law, many adopted adults will still be treated like children. But birth parents would again have rights that were terminated years ago. The previous court order would mean nothing. I won't go into my thoughts as to what precedent this could set in regards to rulings of judges. I wonder what notary publics think about redacted original birth certificates. The notary seal does not seem to mean much in IL.

The wait is on as to if Gov. Quinn will or not sign the bill into law. I honestly don't know how he can sign it in the midst of a fiscal crisis. It is stated on White Oak Foundation's Web site that the year-long, nationwide public campaign will not cost taxpayers. However it fails to state who is going to pay this bill. Neither is there ia statement as to who foots the bill for the state registry and confidential intermediary program. The last I heard IL has a $13 billion defict but maybe there is a large piggy bank stuffed full with currency!

Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, sponsor of HB 5428 and Melisha Mitchell with White Oak Foundation are keeping us entertained during the wait to see just what Gov. Quinn will do. However the disrespect and misreprsentation shown by Sara and Melisha are far from being humorous.

Sara or someone using her email address sent a reply to concern shown by Lori Jeske. No matter who wrote this reply Sara is responsible. It is a must read at The Daily Bastardette. We advocates who dwell on all adopted adults being treated equally by having access to their original birth certificate were referred to with disrespect. Many think of us as troublemakers but to be called "ungrateful bastards" by a state representative is totally out of line. Street talk is that she is an adoptee - hard to believe, isn't it?

While still shaking my head over Sara's behavior, I checked out White Oak Foundation's Web site to see what Melisha Mitchell might be saying about HB 5428. She refers to we opponents as "sloppy fact checkers". She does show a bit more respect than Sara! Maybe that is why she is entitled to misrepresentation of the bill. It is a must read but I will point out one thing that stands out as not being told just the way it should be.

Melisha states that the State Registry will not be strengthened. She says that this legislation would eliminate the need for an adopted person seeking his/her birth record to be signed up with the Registry. But yet according to the text of the bill, if I were to request my original birth certificate, I would have to register with the Registry. Of course I could not even do it until November 2011. My birth mother is a deceased adoptee so in order to request hers a death record must be filed with the Registry by either a confidential intermediary or suviving relative of hers. Wonder if I would be considered to be a relative? Possibly unless a confidential intermediary decided to charge me for a red tape process. The state would continue to be treating me like a child, especially when it comes to trying to obtain my own original birth certificate.. But yet Sara claims that HB 5428 will treal IL adoptees just like those in open records states. Who is she fooling? Obviously she has fooled many legislators and some of the public, including adoptees who believe in baby steps.

The past few weeks have been quite interesting in IL. As the strong winds continue to blow through the prairie I wonder just what will be said next from Springfield or Chicago. It probably won't be good