Are You Pregnant and Considering Adoption in Illinois?
You Can Give Your Baby a Beautiful Life
Pregnancy wasn’t part of your plan — not right now, maybe not ever. Right now, you might be weighing your options: parenting, abortion or adoption. Each path is deeply personal, and only you can decide what’s right for your situation.
If you don’t want to be a parent at this moment in your life, adoption might give you a way to ensure your baby has a loving home while you move forward with your own plans. Below, we’ll cover what you should know if you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption, including what kind of support is available, how the process works and how to find the right family.
Whether you’re just starting to research or you’re ready to put your baby up for adoption in Illinois, we’re here to help. Fill out our form for free information.
What Kind of Support Can I Get if I’m Pregnant and Considering Adoption in Illinois?
One of the biggest concerns expectant mothers have is how they’ll afford medical care, maternity clothes and basic costs like rent and groceries. The good news: Adoption is free for expectant mothers. In fact, Illinois law allows adoptive families to help with certain expenses while you’re pregnant and after birth.
Here’s what’s allowed under Illinois law:
- Medical and hospital costs related to the pregnancy and birth
- Reasonable living expenses like rent, food and clothing for up to 120 days before your due date and 60 days after birth (typically requires court approval)
- A gift from the adoptive family valued at up to $200
- Legal fees for your own adoption attorney (up to $1,000 without court approval)
Beyond financial help, you’ll also have access to 24/7 adoption counseling to talk through your feelings as well as help planning your adoption.
How the Process for Placing a Baby for Adoption Works in Illinois
Wondering how adoption works for pregnant women? Here’s a step-by-step look at what you can expect:
1. Reach out to an adoption professional. You can contact an adoption agency during your pregnancy or even after birth. They’ll answer your questions, explain your rights and help you understand what adoption looks like in your situation.
2. Create your adoption plan. This is where you decide what you want your adoption to look like. You’ll outline what matters most to you: Do you want a family with other kids? A certain faith background? You can also decide how much contact you’d like after you place your baby.
3. Review adoptive family profiles. Your adoption professional will show you profiles of waiting families who match your preferences. You can read about their lives and get to meet them, if you want. This is your decision, and you can take as much time as you need.
4. Give birth and sign the legal paperwork. After birth, you can spend as much time with them in the hospital as you’d like. When you’re ready, you’ll sign paperwork that legally transfers your parental rights to the adoptive family.
5. Move forward with your life after adoption. Your agency will continue offering counseling and support as you adjust to life after giving baby up for adoption. Depending on the type of adoption you chose, you can receive updates, photos or even schedule visits with your child.
Can I Choose Adoption After Birth?
Yes. If you’re unsure, you don’t have to decide right away. You can take your baby home from the hospital and then choose adoption if that’s what feels right. There’s no deadline for making this decision; your adoption professional will support you no matter when you reach out.
Finding an Adoptive Family for My Baby in Illinois
When you’re ready to find an adoptive family for your baby, your adoption professional will ask what you’re looking for. Maybe you want parents who love the outdoors, have a big extended family or share your values about education or religion. Whatever matters to you, you can make it part of your plan.
From there, your adoption specialist will show you profiles of families who match your preferences. These profiles include photos, letters and details about their lives. You’ll get a sense of who they are, how they live and what kind of home they’d provide.
What About the Birth Father? Do I Have to Tell Him About the Adoption in Illinois?
In most cases, yes. The father needs to agree to the adoption in Illinois. Here’s when his agreement is required:
- He was married to you when the baby was born (or within 300 days before birth).
- He’s the legal father through a court order or signed paperwork confirming paternity.
- He lived with you and the baby and told people he was the father in the first 30 days after birth.
- He tried to help pay for pregnancy expenses or support the child financially.
- He registered with the Illinois Putative Father Registry (a state database for unmarried fathers).
There are situations where his agreement isn’t required. Your adoption agency will connect you with an experienced adoption attorney who can explain your rights and handle the legal side of things.
Your Life After Adoption: What to Expect as a Birth Mother
After you place your baby, your life will look different — but that doesn’t mean you’ll lose your connection to your child. Many adoptions today are open, meaning you can stay in touch in whatever way feels right to you and the adoptive family. This might include:
- Photos
- Letters
- Emails
- Texts
- Social media
- Phone calls
- Video chats
- In-person visits
- And more
You’ll also have access to ongoing support specifically for birth mothers, including counseling and resources to help you move forward with your education, career or personal goals. Lean on the people who care about you, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your adoption agency if you need support.
Open Adoption: Can I Still See My Baby After Adoption in Illinois?
Most adoption agencies today facilitate open adoptions, which means you can maintain contact with your baby and their adoptive family after placement. What that looks like is up to you and the family to decide together.
In Illinois, post-adoption contact agreements aren’t legally binding. However, most adoptive families understand that maintaining a connection benefits everyone, especially your child. Your agency will ensure that you find families who share your communication preferences and vision for what happens after adoption.
Will I Regret Choosing Adoption?
It’s natural to worry about regret, especially when making a life-changing decision. You might feel sadness, loss or even second-guess yourself at times — and that’s a normal part of the healing process. Feeling those emotions doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice.
Many birth mothers find peace in knowing they gave their child a stable, loving home and a future they couldn’t provide at that moment in their lives. But it’s also okay if the road to peace takes time. Grief isn’t linear, and some days will be harder than others.
Can I Change My Mind After Choosing Adoption?
Once you sign the paperwork in Illinois, your decision is permanent, unless someone forced you or lied to you. If you want to challenge the adoption, you’d need to go to court within 12 months of signing. If the father signs before birth, he has 72 hours after to change his mind before his decision is also final.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re pregnant and thinking about adoption in Illinois, you don’t have to figure this out alone. The first step is simple: Find an adoption agency in Illinois that can answer your questions and walk you through the process.
Here are a few adoption agencies in Illinois to consider:
- American Adoptions
- Lifelong Adoptions (Crystal Lake)
- Bethany Christian Services (Palos Heights)
- Gateway Woods Adoption (Morton)
Ready to learn more about your options? Fill out our form today to get free information.