IL HB5501

Prohibits use of terms "illegitimate" and "born out of wedlock" in any adoption proceeding.

Requires adoption court proceedings to identify parties by initials or pseudonyms instead of names, with case identification by general number only.

Mandates all adoption records be impounded and opened only by specific court order naming authorized persons for examination.

Allows adopted persons over age 21 to obtain certified copies of adoption orders without court order if they submit their original birth certificate from the Department of Public Health with no redacted identifying information.

Permits adopted persons born before January 1, 1946 to obtain certified copies without court order by submitting a letter from the Department of Public Health confirming no original birth certificate was located in Illinois.