In 1946, the state legislature enacted a law that sealed original birth certificates of adopted persons. This new measure, once signed into law by Governor Patrick Quinn, will restore the rights of adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates. For those adult adoptees born before 1946, they will be able to access a non-certified copy of their birth certificate on the effective date, which is January 1, 2011. Adult adopted persons born between 1946 and 2010 will have the right to access a non-certified copy of their birth certificate on November 15, 2011, after a year-long public education campaign on the new legislation. The campaign will inform birth parents of their right to remain anonymous.

The bill also allows birth parents, as of January 1, 2011, to sign off on a Birth Parent Preference Form indicating if they wish to remain anonymous or have future contact with the child.

Some expressed concern that this bill could lead to more abortions, but Wilhelmi addressed that concern as unfounded, stating that in Oregon and Alabama, where similar legislation was passed, abortions actually decreased.

"Young women today want assurance that if they give their child up for adoption, they will be allowed contact when the child becomes an adult," said Wilhelmi. Once they have this assurance, studies show that birth mothers often choose adoption over abortion.

"Finally, with this legislation, adult adopted persons and their families will have the same basic rights that many other individuals and families take for granted," Wilhelmi said. "They will now have the right to know who they are and where they came from, including their family and medical history. This is a balanced and fair measure."