Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month, joining the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in recognizing the remarkable commitment of thousands of families across the state who have welcomed 20,313 children into their homes over the past decade—providing love, stability and belonging when it was needed most. Courtrooms across the state will be opening their doors to finalize adoptions during special Adoption Day celebrations in Cook, Rock Island and Williamson counties on November 21; Winnebago County on November 22; Kane County on November 24; and Madison County on December 19. During the last fiscal year, 2,492 Illinois children were adopted into permanent, loving families. Today, 2,443 youth in care have a permanency goal of adoption. To learn more about some of these children, visit the Heart Gallery of Illinois. For information about becoming an adoptive parent, visit dcfs.illinois.gov and click “Loving Homes,” then select “Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent.”