Illinois Recognizes Adoptive Families During Adoption Awareness Month

CHICAGO — November is Adoption Awareness Month in Illinois, with the Department of Children and Family Services highlighting families who have provided permanent homes for more than 20,300 children over the past decade. During the last fiscal year, 2,492 children were adopted, and 2,443 youth in care currently have adoption as a permanency goal. Courts across the state will host Adoption Day events later this month and in December to finalize adoptions in several counties, including Cook, Rock Island, Williamson, Winnebago, Kane and Madison. DCFS provides adoptive families with support including legal fee reimbursement, monthly subsidies, medical coverage and other resources, and many families begin as licensed foster parents before adopting. More information on becoming an adoptive parent is available at dcfs.illinois.gov.