Illinois Open

 ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2009

IlOpen is  currently tracking IL HB 747 which is shell bill filed by Representative Sara Feigenholtz on Feb. 6, 2009. The intent of the bill is “to amend the Adoption Act.  The bill makes a technical change in a Section concerning who may be adopted.”

HB 747 is a shell bill, which is like a place holder for a substantive bill to come at a later time.

Sometimes shell bills are used deliberately as part of a strategy to get something

passed, usually something that would generate controversy or stir up opposition if it were known about beforehand.

Shell bills are used frequently in Illinois, according to the League of IL Women Voters. These bills are often used for controversial issues as part of a strategy to get something passed, usually something that would generate controversy or stir up opposition if it were known about beforehand.  

Shell bills are also used to get around deadlines. So long as the shell bill is filed by the deadline, the legislator has more time to work on the real bill.

League of Illinois Women Voters

LEGISLATION IN 2008 – HB 4626

HB 4626 was introduced in 2008. It would have given many, but not all adoptees the right to get their original birth certificate. The bill passed in committee but Representative Feigenholtz did not bring it to the floor of the House. Instead, the bill was re-referred to the Rules Committee. This procedure gave the bill extra time. If Representative Feigenholtz chose to, she could have brought the bill back to be voted upon during the November Veto Session. This did not happen and HB 4626 is now dead.

IllinoisOpen did not support HB 4626 because it was a bill that would have not helped 100% of Illinois adopted adults. It contained a provision for disclosure vetoes, which would allow birth parents to block an adopted adult’s access to his or her original birth certificate.

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The Daily Bastardette

Illinois Open (blog site)

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Rights of Adoptees