Adoption Law Committee (11/10/26)

Includes a Live Web Event on 11-10-2026 at 12:15 PM (CST)

The Adoption Law Committee strongly encourages all committee members to attend, participate in discussion, and vote on proposed amendments to the Illinois Adoption Act and DCFS.

Topic: Adoption Legislative Changes in Progress

Speaker on DCFS Legislative Changes: Jennifer Cleveland, LCSW, JD DCFS Ethics Officer/Legislative Counsel

Adoption Law Legislative Subcommittee Panel on the Illinois Adoption Act: 
Cailee J. Alderman, Attorney, Kogut & Wilson
Shelley B. Ballard, Attorney, Shelley B. Ballard PC
Courtney Hayes, Legislative Liaison, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Genie Miller Gillespie, Partner, Gillespie Law Group
Michelle M. Hughes, Attorney, Law Offices of Michelle M Hughes
Sheila A. Maloney, Attorney at Law
Denise J. Patton, Attorney, Law Office of Denise Patton
Ashley L. Reed, Attorney, Monahan Law Group
Christina M. Schneider, Special Assistant General Counsel, DCFS Office of Legal Services
Barbara J. Sereda, President and Founder, Adoption Advocates of America
Rachael Toft, Principal Attorney, Law Offices of Rachael Toft

(IL MCLE credit for live webcast only. No MCLE credit for on demand webcast.)

To confirm you are ready to participate in an on demand webcast, please take the browser test here: http://eventcenter.commpartner...

Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live. 

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Adoption Law Committee, November 10, 2026
11-10-2026 at 12:15 PM (CST)  |  75 minutes  |  Attendance Required
11-10-2026 at 12:15 PM (CST)  |  75 minutes  |  Attendance Required MCLE credit will be awarded for attendance at live committee meetings based upon the CBA’s review of the Zoom attendance record for this meeting. The MCLE certificate will be available in the “My Dashboard” section under “Transcripts & Achievements” within the next two weeks and you will be notified via email.
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Evaluation (committee meeting)
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