Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog

ISGS Advocacy Chair Suzanne Hoffman has passed along news from our friends at the Chicago Genealogical Society . Illinois SB 686, sponsored by Rep. Nicholas K. Smith of Chicago, has passed the Senate and is awaiting a hearing in the House.  This bill is a fee reduction bill that advocates for a $15 flat rate fee for county coroner transcripts over 20 years old  (excluding Cook County) - and allows for coroners' offices to waive fees. Currently, there is a statutory cost of $5 per page for coroner's records. You can read details of SB 686 on the Illinois General Assembly website- HERE! You can file a witness slip to share your position on SB 686- HERE! Select "File Witness Slip." Fill in your information and feel free to use "self" as an affiliation. Choose your position (proponent, opponent, no position) and select "Record of Appearance Only." Then click "Create Witness Slip". © 2022, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society

LOCAL GENEALOGY CONFERENCE! Our friends at the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society have announced their 2023 Summer Conference will be held on Saturday, July 8th! The conference will be in person at McHenry County College and feature Judy G. Russell, Timothy N. Pinnick, Dr. Michael D. Lacopo, DVM, and James M. Beidler! CLICK HERE for more info and to register! The Fox Valley Genealogical Society will be holding their next meeting in person THIS Thursday, April 13th, in Naperville, featuring Debra Dudek! CLICK HERE for more info! The Lake County IL Genealogical Society will hold their next meeting THIS Tuesday at 7:00pm, in person or virtual (for members only). Jane Haldeman will present, "My Ancestor was a Farmer." CLICK HERE for more info! The DuPage County Genealogical Society will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, April 19th at the Wheaton Public Library. Steve Szabados will present "Irish Immigration to America." CLICK HERE for more info! © 20

Here are just a few of the many genealogy events happening this month! For more events, check out the ISGS Events page and the ISGS Facebook page! The North Suburban Genealogical Society will hold their next meeting on Saturday April 8th at 1:00pm, via ZOOM and in person at the Glenview Public Library. Katharine Andrew will present, "She Came from Nowhere: A Case Study Approach to Finding Hidden Female Ancestors." CLICK HERE for more info and to register! CAGGNI will hold their next hybrid meeting on Saturday April 15th, on ZOOM and in-person at the Palatine Library. Analu Lopez and Matt Rutherford will discuss the Newberry Library's Edward E. Ayer Collection. CLICK HERE to learn more and register! Our friends at the Peoria County Genealogical Society are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year! They will host their next meeting on Thursday April 20th at 6:00pm, on ZOOM and in person at the Peoria Public Library North Branch. Christine Cohen will discuss "Immi