Senate Republicans announced on March 6 that they are advancing a bill aimed at addressing challenges faced by adoptive families in Illinois who seek access to foster care records. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 2895, is sponsored by Senator Darby Hills and is known as the Healing Through History Act.
The measure seeks to ensure that children and parents involved in the adoption process can obtain important information about a child’s time spent in foster care. Supporters of the bill say this information is often necessary for families to answer basic questions about a child’s early life.
Currently, while detailed case information documenting placements and significant life events is kept within the state’s case management system, access to certain foster care records remains limited. This situation can prevent families from learning where their child lived or who cared for them during their formative years. Lawmakers introduced the legislation after hearing from an adoptive parent who encountered these barriers firsthand.
If enacted, SB 2895 would require that adoptive families receive a copy of the child’s official case record—appropriately redacted to protect the identities of foster families and other children—at least 30 days before an adoption is finalized. Supporters emphasize that the bill does not mandate creation of new records and complies with existing state and federal privacy laws, providing only information already maintained by caseworkers.
Senate Bill 2895 passed out of the Senate Child Welfare Committee on March 4 and now awaits further action. Tracy, a Republican, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 50th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Steve McClure according to official sources.
Supporters believe that improving access to these records could help adopted children better understand their backgrounds and support family connections.
