ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR IL ADOPTEES August 2009 ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR IL ADOPTEES is a monthly eNewsletter bringing you all the news that's fit to print from the Land of Lincoln. We are a voice for the Illinois Open Organization, www.ILOpen.org ILLINOIS OPEN MISSION STATEMENT It is the civil and human right of ALL ADOPTED ADULTS to have access to their original birth records unconditionally and free from falsification. Our goal is to challenge Illinois legislators to restore this civil and human right to all adopted men and women. We will not support legislation that places any restrictions on the rights of all adopted adults' access to their obc's. It is not our primary goal to be a search organization. We are independent of any other group. Important Facts In the Spring of 2008 the name Adoption Reform Illinois (ARI) was formed. Illinois Open was one of the organizations that was "tossed under their umbrella". This should never have happened and we have been quiet publicly about it until now. It has come to our attention that some people have found it to be confusing since Illinois Open did sign off on some letters sent by ARI to legilsators. Later an ARI press release was sent out regarding a Santa campaign. We are not part of ARI or Green Ribbon Campaign (GRC). We apologize for any confusion. Illinois Open is independent of any organization. We do not ask for nor do we receive donations. We have no membership fees. Please do not be mistaken in sending anyone money thinking that you are showing support for our organization. In fact, if anyone tries to tell you to send money to them in support of Illinois Open, please email us - obc@ilopen.org. Major Problem in IL House of Representatives What can we do about a state representative who is strongly opposed to adopted adults having access to their original birth certificate? We are not talking about the average politician. State Representative William B. Black (R) 104th District has been in office since 1986. He is the Deputy Republican Leader and has received many "Outstanding Legislator" awards. A reliable source has said that Representative Black's two children are adopted and a grandchild might be adopted. If any of you have seen him talk on the local news or heard him speak over the radio, you know that he is boisterous and will rant on and on regarding anything that he is opposed to. Needless to say someone who has been in office as long as he and has received so many "Outstanding Legislator" awards does have many followers. If that is not enough, chances are he does gain followers just because it is easier to agree with him than to hear him rant and rave. Whether Representative William Black will listen to anyone but his constituents could be questionable. But we must try to educate him since it is hard to say how much longer he might be in office. Perhaps we could stress the following: Adopted adults should have a civil right restored so they do have access to their original birth certificate, if they so desire. It should be unrestricted access, absolutely no conditions so no adopted adult is left behind. State Representative William B. Black 314 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-4811 FAX: 217-782-1873 OR: State Representative William B. Black 7 E. Fairchild Danville, IL 61832 217-431-1986 FAX: 217-431-2088 How and Why Are Adoptees' Records Sealed? Original birth certificates have never been sealed to protect the privacy or confidentiality of the birth mother. The records were sealed to protect the new legal family unit created by the court – the adoptive family. Here is how it has always been done. 1. A birth mother signs irrevocable relinquishment documents after giving birth to her child and BEFORE ANY ADOPTION TAKES PLACE. The relinquishment documents are permanently & legally binding. At this time, the birthmother gives up all her legal rights to this child forever. 2. The child’s original birth certificate and adoption records are ordered sealed by a judge ONLY at the time that the judge signs a final adoption decree. 3. A court order to seal original birth documents is never made until the time of the finalization of the adoption. 4. Children who were not adopted, such as foster children, have full access to their original birth certificate. It is not impounded and sealed because they were never adopted. More Interesting Books Adoption Reunion - Ecstasy or Agony?, by Evelyn Robinson Twice Born: Memoirs of An Adopted Daughter, by Betty Lifton IllinoisOpen.Org: Anita Walker Field, Skokie, IL Mary Lynn Fuller, Urbana, IL We are volunteers and do not ask for nor receive donations. There is no membership fee. Illinois Open should NOT be confused with Adoption Reform Illinois or Green Ribbon Campaign. Please forward as far and as wide as possible! To subscribe to this monthly eNewsletter just send an email to obc@ilopen.org.