Springfield… Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation into law today that would add grandparents to Illinois’ adoption registry. State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) crafted the legislation (HB 3967) at the request of several constituents in the district. “It’s important that we have mechanisms in place to allow adopted children to reconnect with biological family members if both parties choose to communicate,” said Rep. Sosnowski. “Illinois’ adoption registry provides this ability to many family members besides grandparents. When a group of constituents presented this to my office it was a common sense piece of legislation. Adding grandparents to the registry should have a positive impact for any adopted child seeking communication.”
All adoptions in Illinois are closed adoptions and the registry is a way for adoptees or birth parents/family members to find their adopted children and make contact if the child is also seeking communication. However, grandparents were an excluded group.
House Bill 3967 provides grandparents the authority to file with the adoption registry if both birth parents are deceased.