Children of adoption usually never meet their birth parents. There is a type of adoption where it can be arranged. This type of adoption is called an open adoption. FindLaw defines an open adoption as "one in which there is some degree of contact between the birth parents and the adoptive parents."
The Illinois Adoption Act specifically states how the adoption process legally eliminates the parental status of birth parents:
"The natural parents of a child sought to be adopted shall be relieved of all parental responsibility for such child and shall be deprived of all legal rights as respects the child."
While that may sound harsh, it's meant to protect both the adopted child and adoptive parents from a birth parent who may have changed her mind, for example. But adoptive parents and birth parents still may draft an open adoption arrangement according to information from Illinois Legal Aid.
Since Illinois courts refuse to enforce open adoption agreements, there's probably not much an Illinois family law attorney can do. It's an "act of faith" that requires the green light of the adoptive parents and all involved parties (including the child and birth parent) need to cooperate in order for it to work, according to Illinois Legal Aid:
If the birth parents trust the adoptive parents and don't expect problems, an open adoption can work. But if they have doubts, they should know the risks.
So while Illinois does not legally recognize open adoption, such an agreement in the absence of dispute certainly is allowed. Open adoption agreements are enforced in 22 other states, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway (PDF).
Related Resources:
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Open vs. Closed Adoption (FindLaw)
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The Adoption Option: Types of Adoption (FindLaw Law & Daily Life Blog)
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