[nilesgirl]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Well, it looks as if I will not be able to get any non-id info from either Iowa or Illinois. Being born in Iowa but adopted in Illinois is the problem. I contacted the Rock Island County courthouse in Illinois where my adoption was finalized and they said I needed to either request my records be unsealed through them or contact the state for non-id info. I talked to the state and they said they cannot help because all adoption records are sent back to the state of birth. I received forms from Iowa and they all assume your adoption was finalized in Iowa and want to know what county in Iowa your adoption was finalized in. Frustrating... I really hope I hear back from the lawyer or my mom's old friend with some more info. If not, I think it is going to be a lot of work to move forward. Any other suggestions?

Ok, what I don't understand is why someone at the state can't tell you where EXACTLY your records were sent to in Iowa. In the state I was adopted in...in the court where my adoption was finalized...they have someone called the "Adoption Specialist" employed to handle adoption related matters including searching for records. I would see if someone with a similar "title" exists in the court you contacted in Ill. and ask who EXACTLY you need to speak with at the state that can tell you EXACTLY where your records were sent in Iowa. This situation DOES sound a bit frustrating . Don't let the people you contact at the courts or state intimidate you...I swear those people are trained to do that to searching adoptees to intimidate us not to pursue the search. Be courteous but, assertive and forthright. Not all court employees are well versed in how to direct adoptees. You could get a duck or and eagle...if you feel you're speaking to a duck...ask for an eagle. Sometimes you need to ask to speak to their supervisor to get an educated answer to your question. I'm going to PM you some sites that may help you with the letter to petition the court. Let us all know how things are progressing

[bmomto2_momto2]

I do not know Judge McClean's views on opening adoption records, but I do know the general feel for the court system there. I doubt that Rock Island County is much different than the majority of counties in Illinois. The judges there tend to follow the "thought process of the entire judicial system". I imagine that it is possible that you could get a Judge who goes against the grain but I don't feel it is too likely. I also know that Judge McClean was recently appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court as a Judge there. I think he must be an "alternative" Judge as he is still a judge in Rock Island County. I don't know everything there is to know but I am guessing you don't get appointed to any Supreme Court going against the grain too often. I would love for it to turn out that he was one of those special, humanitarian Judges. I now believe that my son's adoption was filed and finalized in Rock Island County. I will be waiting to hear the outcome of your petition. I will be praying for all the best for you.

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Actually, I am going to wait a few weeks before I petition the court to unseal my records. I have a few other things I am trying first. If I can get more info it may help convince them to unseal my records. Of course, I would love to hear the outcome of your request. Also, would love to chat more sometime since we are from the same area.Take care.

I understand completely. My a-file request is probably going to stay on hold for now, then.

I hope you'll let us know how it's going for you. I'm here if I can help, although I live in New Jersey
and am not a Quad Citizen.

Truly -best wishes for a successful search!

[bothsides]

I mailed off my apps for the Illinois and Iowa adoption registries today. I was told by the state of Illinois on the phone that if I was born in Illinois I would get my non-id when I joined the registry. Unfortunately I was born in Iowa but I'm registering anyway just in case. Plus if I want to use a CI I have to join the registry anyway. The Iowa registry is literally run by some guy out of his house. They don't provide non-id info.

I was thinking about petitioning the court to unseal my records next...

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bmomto2_momto2

...I also know that Judge McClean was recently appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court as a Judge there. I think he must be an "alternative" Judge as he is still a judge in Rock Island County....

When I read that I thought "Wow, what a great opportunity to get the issue of open access to adoption files in front of someone who will soon be on the Illinois Supreme Court!" I checked first with a very kind and wonderful and helpful person who has previously been of assistance at RICo and here's her reply:


"Hi XXXXX, that is not our Judge John R McClean that was appointed to the Supreme Court. He is still in Rock Island County presiding over the Juvenile and Adoption cases. He is the one that you will have to contact.

Also, even if your adoption was never finalized, it is still a sealed file and will remain sealed until we get an order from the court to unseal it for the information you will request.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance or if you have any other questions let me know."

(I soooooooo owe that woman something yummy from Whitey's if I ever make it back to that area)

[bmomto2_momto2]

Well, thanks for clearing up the Illinois Supreme Court issue in reference to this judge. By the way, I am going to be in the QC over the holiday weekend so I will have something yummy from Whitey's for her, you and me!...lol. I love that place. Have you ever had any of their frozen yogurt? It is the best in the world! My daughter tried it for the first time (she is 18 on Saturday) just a couple of weeks ago. She said she is never getting ice cream from Whitey's again...just frozen yogurt.

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by bmomto2_momto2

Well, thanks for clearing up the Illinois Supreme Court issue in reference to this judge. By the way, I am going to be in the QC over the holiday weekend so I will have something yummy from Whitey's for her, you and me!...lol. I love that place. Have you ever had any of their frozen yogurt? It is the best in the world! My daughter tried it for the first time (she is 18 on Saturday) just a couple of weeks ago. She said she is never getting ice cream from Whitey's again...just frozen yogurt.

Oh I miss Whitey's, Country Style, Happy Joe's Pizza, Chick-fil-a and most of all Maid-Rite. Unfortunately none of those are here in Vegas. Although I do occasionally get Chick-fil-a when we go to California or visit family in North Carolina. Have fun!!!

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bmomto2_momto2

I am going to be in the QC over the holiday weekend so I will have something yummy from Whitey's for her, you and me!...lol.

Oh, yum! Yes, please DO have something for me!
Haven't tried the frozen yogurt. Might be worth the trip halfway across the country if it's as good as your daughter says!

(Sorry to go OT, here....but we're talking WHITEY'S!)

[bothsides]

I know my best and easiest chances of getting info are from my mom's old friend that I sent a letter to and the attorney that I sent an email to.

I sent the email to the attorney 1 week ago. I haven't heard back yet. I was thinking of calling him. I actually did call after hours to make sure the number I found was good, and it is. Also, he's gotta be in his 80's (he started practicing in 1948!). In all seriousness, time could be important here.

Should I call or wait or what?

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by bothsides

I know my best and easiest chances of getting info are from my mom's old friend that I sent a letter to and the attorney that I sent an email to.

I sent the email to the attorney 1 week ago. I haven't heard back yet. I was thinking of calling him. I actually did call after hours to make sure the number I found was good, and it is. Also, he's gotta be in his 80's (he started practicing in 1948!). In all seriousness, time could be important here.

Should I call or wait or what?

Ok, after talking to a couple of people in chat, I tried calling. Got his voice mail and left a message. Hopefully he'll call back at some point. I hate waiting!!

[bothsides]

well, i checked the mail and i had a letter from the lawyer:

"In regard to the email I received from you today, we reviewed our records regarding this adoption and find that the office file relating therto has been destroyed. The Illinois Statute provides adoption records in Illinois may be opened for inspection by court order. Generally the petition that must be filed to obtain leave of court to open adoption records would have to be agreed to by the natural parents and the adoptive parents. I am not an expert in the procedure of opening the court file so I recommend that you find some attorney who is knowledgable in this area of the law."

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

well, i checked the mail and i had a letter from the lawyer:

"In regard to the email I received from you today, we reviewed our records regarding this adoption and find that the office file relating therto has been destroyed.

How discouraging. I'm so sorry. I hope you hear from the friend soon.

Maybe she'll be able to act as a facilitator and get a message or letter from you to your bmom...
or could ask if your bmom might be willing to sign a confidentiality waiver for your a-file.

There's hope!!!!

(I'm mailing off my request to Judge McClean today. You finally got me to do that - thanks for that!)

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

(I'm mailing off my request to Judge McClean today. You finally got me to do that - thanks for that!)

First of all, thank you and everyone else here for their support. I have almost no one in my life I feel comfortable talking to all of this about so the forums and chat here are of great help.

That is great that you are mailing your letter today. I am almost as anxious as you to know how it works out. Keep me updated please...

[bothsides]

Well, I haven't heard from the friend yet. Tomorrow will be two weeks since I sent the letter. Actually I sent letters to 3 addresses that I had for her and got one back as a bad address. I'm just writing this because I'm a little frustrated (and impatient). Waiting is the worst part.

Also anxious to hear how mixedbliss' petition goes since I have to petition the same judge.

Thanks for listening.

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Well, I haven't heard from the friend yet.

Hey! I was hoping you'd post an update. Sorry you've not heard back from the friend yet. Did you do Delivery Confirmation/Package Tracking or anything on your letters?

Nothing yet on my request to Judge McClean. I did tracking and it looks like my request packet got there on Monday (to the PO box anyway). Like with you -waiting, waiting, waiting.

One awesome/amazing thing did happen though. My half brother (same mother/different father) got the "contact packet" I sent and he called me! We talked for three hours!!!!

He was adopted within our birthmother's family, so he knows TONS of interesting stuff. We're meeting in person week-after-next in New Orleans.

Chin up.....I'm really hoping "the friend" will come through for you!