IL SB0103

Requires persons seeking to adopt a youth in care to have the child placed with them by the Department of Children and Family Services at the time of filing, and the Department must consent to or approve the adoption

Exempts from adoption notice requirements any party whose parental rights have been terminated under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, in addition to existing exemptions for those terminated under Section 12a

Clarifies that notice requirements for potential fathers (adjudicated fathers, putative fathers, persons on birth certificates, etc.) do not apply if a court has already determined the person is not the parent or has terminated their parental rights

Allows a spouse or civil union partner to not join in an adoption petition when adopting an adult as a former stepparent or re-adopting a child after an intercountry adoption if they did not previously adopt the child

Takes effect January 1, 2026 and applies only to petitions filed on or after that date