RHEA-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Illinois Records Closed
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 11:56:03 -0400 (EDT)

From Dick Eastmans Genealogy Online Newsletter:

I received an e-mail this week with disturbing information.
I haven't verified the story myself. However, the news is disturbing,
and I decided to pass it along even though I have not had a chance
to check it out.

The State of Illinois state legislature passed an act concerning access to
public records. The state agencies reportedly have interpreted that act to
mean tha a genealgoist, regardless of where they reside or work, if
conducting any type of research in Illinois, must hav a Private
investigators's License. This will be required before they can request a
birth, marriage, death, obituary or estate record.

The new procedures define a private detective as any person who for a fee or
other valuable consideration engages in the business of obtaining information
relating to the identity or whereabouts of any person. This does not make any
distinction regarding persons or entities who are obtaining information as
part of genealogical research. Accordingly, genealogists are not exempt from
the new licensing requirements.

When queried about the new licensing requirements, Elizabeth M. Brucker of
the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation reportedly replied, "If
the current act does not properly accommodate the genealogy profession, then
it would seem appropriate for the genealogy profession to address and
initiate any legislative changes it deems appropriate." If you are a resident
of Illinois, you should contact your state representatives and Senators about
this issue. They are in the best position to resolve the problem, if their
constituents make them aware of it.

Pat

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