[NovasMom]

Hi, I'm from Illinois, and I was wondering if there is any search function on here to search for other members by the state they are in. I'd love to talk to other IL parents for advice regarding the individual policies and laws of IL, since I am new to all this. Thanks!

[mrstkg1]

Hello,

We live in Central Illinois and have been foster parents for a couple of years. I would be happy to talk to you if you have any questions.

Jami

[waiting home]

Hi, me too!!!!

We're from the Chicago area.

Would love to chat!!!

[lambeausam]

I'm in DuPage County.

Sam

[fourbeauties94]

I am in west central Illinois, Quincy to be exact. We are new to fostering. So new in fact that we have not yet had a placement. We were licensed in November and are still waiting anxiously. We have four bio children, three boys and a girl and are licensed for 0-4. We have not received any calls and are very suprised, we thought the need here was greater. I am sure that it will happen in time so we are trying to be patient. I will not be any help on giving advice but I will surely need some when we get started.

[waitin2foster]

Hello! I am from central Illinois and just starting the foster care process-have my paperwork done,TB test,physical,home visit from the caseworker,and start my PRIDE classes soon. Love to hear from more Illinois foster parents.i am so excited about getting started. How long after you finish the PRIDE classes does it take to get your actual license and be ready to start getting calls for placements?

[BZmom7]

We are in Central IL (Springfield) and have been fostering for 2.5yrs. now. We have only had one placement....They came to us 2.5yrs ago and are still with us!!

[darla24]

Hi I am from danville, il. We have been foster parents for 10 years and have adopted two of placements. We have had over 30 kids in our home from one day to our permanent children. The two children we adopted were 15 months and 2 months at time of placement. I also have two older children 21 and 25. My husband and I are also over 50. Love to chat any time. Darla

[HopefulMommy]

Quad cities here!!!

We just got our license last week!

So glad there are so many of us from Illinois here!

[my2guats]

Hi! we are from DuPage county too. we I would love to have an illinois support group here.

[maya2008]

Hello Illinoisers,
I'm new to this forum and was hoping to get some feedback about the time to placement, whether any of you have been looking out of state, how your experience has been post license, etc.
Loretta

Pride complted June 08
Home study completed July 08
Licensed July 08

[ILfstr]

New here also...I'm in Northern IL/Lake County...Starting PRIDE classes this month

[marigold]

Hi I am in central Il also; Mclean County (but I was born in raised in Danville, and went to college in Quincy!!) I have been licenced since 11/06 and have had nine true placements and one respite. I am still learning everyday but do have a great support group of fellow fosters here in my community.

And to maya2008 I got my first placement 27 days after being licensed and it seems to run between day1-45 in my county. I have had many ups and down in this Il system but it has been totally worthwhile. THe worst is probably going on right now. With our govonors budget cuts my children are losing workers, therapists, advantage programs, and special needs support it is a hard time and it is a shame. My adoption is getting set back because the state is being forced to lay off many people and is therefore short staffed. SO good luck and pray that we get our minds back to relizing that an ounce of prevention will well make up for the money that goes into the "cure"

[maya2008]

Thanks Marigold,
We're in Chicago so I'm not sure if things are even slower here. Anyone out there in Chicago?
It is disheartening to read how the cuts are directly affecting the kids. It seems the system was already overworked, but I guess that is the political game, take on those least able to defend themselves.
Is there any organized effort to defend the programs?
If anyone has some information about wait times, strageties, etc in Chicago and/or looking at out of state kids, please let me know what you know.
We're happy to share what we know, maybe together we can peice the puzzle together.
THANKS!

[Kristin7]

I"m from Illinois too. Downstate/Southern Illinois. I have been a foster parent going on four years. I would love to chat with fellow Illinoisians.

K.