Adoption Workshop in Evanston
A workshop, The Adoption Process From A to Z, will be offered at Evanston Public Library on July 14 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Presenter Sally Wildman, JD, a Chicago and Northbrook attorney with over 15 years of experience in adoption practice, will help participants explore the world of adoption. She presents the fundamentals of an adoption and legal steps of this process with focus on preparing to adopt.
Today's adoption practices are evolving to acknowledge current norms related to placing a child for adoption, to adopting a child and to needs of adopted persons. Nationally, social views toward secrecy in adoption practice have been replaced to encourage greater openness, or exchange of information between the placing biological family and the adoptive family. Notably, Illinois law now incorporates current trends through steady review and updates.
Statewide standards for protection of adoptive parents and biological parents are now found in Parent Rights and Responsibilities forms provisions that must be offered in many types of Illinois adoptions. A few birth parent rights are to ask to be involved in choosing the child's prospective adoptive parents and to ask to meet them; to ask the child's prospective adoptive parents any questions that pertain to the decision to place the child with them; and to see the child before signing a Consent or Specified Consent. Protections included in these "bill of rights" provisions have been expanded over time. To further assist adopted adults, as well as birth family members and adoptive parents in sharing family and medical information, an adoption registry and medical information exchange through the Illinois Department of Public Health facilitates voluntary exchange.
With an application submitted, a file is created for cross-reference should other triad members also register with this exchange. Department staff will exchange information given by these parties, provided each agrees to disclosures.
Illinois Adoption Registry forms can be obtained by calling the Registry at 877-323-5299 (toll-free in Illinois) or 217-557-5159. The forms can also be found online at http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/adoption/iarmie. This information can be critical for adopted people who develop problem medical or psychological conditions.
Location: 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston. Preregistration required: 847-448-8630 or epl.org. To contact Sally Wildman, JD, call 312-726-9214 or visit SWildmanLaw.com.
