How I Was Able To Find My Bfamily!!!

HI all.... I haven't come here in some time... I am STILL confused about this whole "post-reunion" stuff going on!!! But I feel I NEED to share with any of you searching HOW I was able to find my birthmom... and birthdad... I too had been searching on and off for a long time.. Unoffically since I was 15.. I am 26 now.. Anyhow, This past year after my son was born, I felt COMPELLED to find out where I COME FROM!! So anyhow, I started the Confidential Intermediary process... My only problem with it was THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS it would cost!! And the fact that I DIDN"T HAVE IT!!! WHich I feel is VERY sad that it can cost that in Illinois.. You know??? Because of the heart of the situation and how people will do just about anything to come up with the money if they think it'll help them FIND they're birth family!! Well after getting assigned a CI and everything, I had been coming to this site regularly, and I got a link from someone to a site of a woman that does searches... I won't "name it" so I don't get into 'trouble' or anything... But I ended up talking to this woman for some time. She is a birthmom, who has done alot of legislative work for adoption laws in Illinois. And with her search she needs a NAME... which to me was like "what do you mean a name?? how the heck would I have that!!!!" SO she told me all about how the IL adoption law reads that "the adoptive parents have legal right to obtain a copy of the ADOPTION DECREE within 30 days of the adoption, with no question. After 30 days they may do so by order of the court" or something like that... She gave me a "template" of a letter and the name and address of the judge in my county (cook) that it needed to go to. My Mom (adoptive) had to write a notorized letter requesting a copy of my ADOPTION DECREE with a $3 check for filing fees... THis woman told me that like 80% (at least) of the ADOPTION DECREES had AT LEAST the birthmoms last name if not FULL name... (my brothers had BOTH parents full names) SO about 3 or 4 weeks later.. I got home from work, and My mom was there waiting for me with the ADOPTION DECREE, which had my Birthmom's First, Middle, and Last name on it!!!!! Within about Three days we found my birthmom, thru some paid people search resource on the internet.... Basically, all together, it may have costed like 30-$50 or so... BUT NOT $500!!!!! And I need to say though, you know, I guess not EVERYBODY has a "happy ending" sometimes people do NOT want to be found... SO that is COMPLETELY up to you.. You need to like, prepare yourself you know?? Or at least I did.. at least I TRIED TO.. I don't know if we can ever REALLY 'prepare' ourselves for THAT !!!???!!! But I think that people searching at least have a right to KNOW ABOUT THIS manner of searching in the state of Illinois!!! I know for me, it was like heaven sent, or at least it felt like it!!!! I keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason and WHEN its supposed to happen.. But After searching for what felt like for EVER to me... I was OVERJOYED to find out about this amazingly EASY method of searching!!!! Take care.. GOD BLESS, and good luck to all! Luv & hugs Beth Reuschel