Scenes from Saturday

Number of days we have lost with our daughter due to the negligence of the state of Illinois: 40

Let's see, so far today...

I've taught some piano lessons.

Children have completed (or are completing) their Saturday cleaning jobs.

J. took little people to Union Station to pick up M. who is arriving home.

A. bleached her hair.

D. is practicing piano.

H. had a seizure. (Dang)

A. went off with TM and some electric clippers to do something to his head.

P. is at the library.

And I have been spending quality time with my computer trying to figure out how to give written testimony to the IL General Assembly via their witness slip program.

Pretty much a normal Saturday around here.

So what it this General Assembly thing I'm talking about? Well, our phone calls have been paying off I guess. There is an adoption reform bill before the IL House and an amendment has recently been added which removes the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator's position and the need to have state approval for international home studies. This is very good news, indeed. The bill also removes the requirement of appointing a Guardian ad Litem for families who readopting their internationally adopted child as well as doing away with the requirement of a costly court report from their adoption agency. Also good news.

So, if you are in Illinois, now is your chance. Here is the link to the full text of HB 3079. If you click on the link to 'Amendment 1' at the top, it will take you to the amendment with the striking of the coordinator's position. The bill is currently assigned to the House Committee on Adoption and the hearing of the bill in committee will be on March 26. Take the weekend to read the bill and craft what you would like to say and on Monday I hope to have some of my questions about how to submit a witness slip answered and I can give you more definite instructions as to how to go about doing that. Of course, you do not have to wait for further instructions. You are welcome to call the committee members this weekend and voice your support for the bill.

A similar bill has been up before the House before, let's not let this chance slip away from us. Spread the word and ask people to chime in and have a voice in our state's lawmaking process.

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