Chicago Daily Law Bulletin search for petitions to adopt for Cook County, IL only, 1854-present from barbpete

While most states seal the actual court adoption records, the petitions before the court to adopt are open to search. In Cook County, IL the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin publishes cases before the various courts of the state, including adoption petitions. The petitions name the people filing to adopt and almost always the child's name at birth as well (except if the child was a true foundling). If the petition to adopt matches the adoptive parents' names but the child's surname is not mentioned (just says "child"), you will only be charged the "Not Found" price. The success price includes the following: one day of travel to a specific law library to search the archives for the record of the petition to adopt and up to 5 hours of research time. A copy of the petition will be sent to you via Genlighten. If you have the exact year of the adoption, it should only take one day of searching. Without that information it may require more than one trip and if you wish me to keep searching there will be a surcharge of $25.00/day (to cover the extra commuting expenses) for any additional days needed.