We are happy to help you. Please help us by giving us some more information. To direct you to some good resources we need to know more. Where was your mother born? So what area are you researching? Who were her adoptive parents if they have passed you can use their names. What clues to you already have about your mother, did she have siblings etc.? What is your mother's birth date?

@Stephanie86689

Stephanie,

When looking for help in a given state, I like to use ChatGPT (AI tool). This is what it will bring back when asked for resources in Illinois.

1. Licensed Adoption Agencies in Illinois

These agencies assist both birth parents and prospective adoptive families throughout the legal and relational adoption process:

• Adoption Center of Illinois (ACI) – headquartered in Chicago, available 24/7, licensed by Illinois DCFS. Offers counseling, matching services, and post‑adoption support.
  Illinois DCFS+12Adoption Center of Illinois+12ECFA - Illinois+12Verywell Family+5lcfs.org+5Cradle+5
• The Cradle – licensed in Illinois and Indiana, provides education, home‐studies, profiles of waiting families, counseling, and adoption training.
  Cradle+1Cradle+1
• Lutheran Child & Family Services of Illinois – works with adoptive families and birth parents, supports newborn and older-child placements, and provides both pre‑ and post‑adoption services.
  pathbeyondadoption.illinois.gov+12lcfs.org+12lssi.org+12

These agencies are regulated by Illinois DCFS and only licensed entities can legally facilitate adoption in the state.
Illinois DCFS+7Illinois DCFS+7Cradle+7

2. Foster-care Adoption & Waiting-Child Match Programs

• Let It Be Us – Adoption Listing Service of Illinois & Heart Gallery: A free program matching licensed foster families with children in Illinois foster care who are legally available for adoption. Includes photos, profiles, and a statewide inquiry line.
  Adoption Center of Illinois+13Let It Be Us+13Hopeful Beginnings+13

To adopt via foster care, you must become a licensed foster parent (home study required).

3. Registry & Reunion Services (Mutual-Consent Tools)

• Illinois Adoption Registry & Medical Information Exchange (IARMIE): A state registry allowing birth parents to express preferences for contact and share medical information. Facilitates indirect or direct contact later if both parties consent.
  Parents+2Cradle+2Let It Be Us+2Caritas Family Solutions+2Illinois Department of Public Health+2lssi.org+2
• Confidential Intermediary Service (DCFS contract with Midwest Adoption Center): Helps locate a birth parent or adoptee when the child was not in foster care. Court‑ordered searches, with fees involved.
  Illinois DCFS
• International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR): A national free, mutual‑consent registry for adoptees and birth relatives seeking reconnection. Widely recommended.
  Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1

4. Support & Post‑Adoption Resources

• PATH Beyond Adoption (Illinois DCFS program): Offers the PATH hotline (866‑538‑8892) to connect adoptive or birth families to specialized support, preservation services, crisis intervention, and counseling resources.
  lssi.org+9pathbeyondadoption.illinois.gov+9Families Rising+9
• Adoption Center of Illinois—Post-Adoption Support: Maintains an online Adoption Community Connection, support groups, and educational resources.
  Adoption Center of Illinois
• The Cradle also hosts post-adoption counseling, support groups, and education series.
  Cradle+1Cradle+1

5. National Resource & Training Support

• National Council For Adoption (NCFA): Offers educational materials and the National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC), tailored for adoptive families to support trauma-informed parenting and planning.
  National Council For Adoption

🧭 What Each Resource Is Best For:

✅ Next Steps

1. If you’re a birth parent exploring adoption:
   • Contact Adoption Center of Illinois (1‑800‑676‑2229) or The Cradle for counseling, options, and meeting adoptive families.
     Adoption Center of Illinois+5Let It Be Us+5National Council For Adoption+5lcfs.orgCradle+1Let It Be Us+1Illinois Department of Public Health+1Wikipedia+1National Council For AdoptionAdoption Center of Illinois
2. If you're a prospective adoptive parent:
   • Reach out to the same licensed agencies.
   • If open to foster-care adoption in Illinois, contact Let It Be Us to start the foster licensing and Heart Gallery process.
     Let It Be Us
3. If you want to facilitate future contact:
   • Fill out IARMIE forms or register via ISRR to allow for mutual‑consent reunions later on.
     CradleWikipedia
4. For ongoing counseling or assistance:
   • Use PATH Beyond Adoption hotline or join support communities through ACI or The Cradle.
     pathbeyondadoption.illinois.govAdoption Center of IllinoisCradle

⚠️ Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Only licensed agencies (approved by DCFS) can legally facilitate adoption in Illinois. Do not rely solely on private listings or unlicensed arrangements.
  TIME+15Illinois DCFS+15Adoption Center of Illinois+15
• Consider if you want an open or closed adoption—open choices allow ongoing contact but require clear expectations and boundaries.
  Wikipedia+5Verywell Family+5Parents+5
• Watch out for unregulated practices or expensive matchmaking services—always vet organizations carefully.
  TIME

I hope this is helpful.