Our goal is to change the state law, by asking you to join us by signing this petition which supports the passage of both Illinois bills: Senate Bill 1589 and House Bill 4452. The passage of either or both of these bills would allow grandparents the right to petition for visitation because at the present time according to IL law grandparents do not have this right if the parents are married. The IL law is "parent centered not child centered".

This limitation unfairly denies the children of married parents EQUAL ACCESS to loving, beneficial, established relationships with their grandparents.The passage of either of these bills would allow grandparents the right to petition the court for grandchild visitation "if there has been an unreasonable denial of visitation by a parent, and the denial has caused the child undue mental, physical, or emotional harm." 

Both bills state "in good faith" be used by both parties involved, that being the parents and the grandparents. However "good faith" has not been exercised by parents who cut off all communication, and harass grandparents and threaten these alienated grandparent senior citizens, long law abiding citizens, with threats of police interference if reasonable communication, "in good faith" is genuinely attempted by the grandparents.

The VOID created by the abrupt termination of a Grandparent-Grandchild relationship causes harm. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) states "Child Abuse"includes "any action that causes or creates the risk of causing a child harm to their physical or emotional health." 

Additionally, this causes harm to alienated grandparents, who are facing their final years without their beloved grandchildren, but rather in isolation. Per COMPASS/EAAA Psychological harm/Elder Abuse are threats of harm, being left alone, humiliation, playing on known anxieties, intimidation, verbal abuse, bullying, blaming, constant criticism, controlling, depriving contact with others. All of these are alienating behaviors regularly practiced before complete cut off.

The present numbers of people impacted by Grandparent/Grandchild alienation is listed at 20% worldwide, yet it is believed to actually be closer to 30% because of the stigma of shame associated with Grandparent Alienation. And the numbers are growing epidemically, especially since US laws favor parent rights over child rights.

The opportunity to have a grandparent-grandchild relationship is not just deeply significant; it is also essential for the emotional well-being of all parties involved. Research indicates that children denied this bond suffer what can be equated to child abuse (Source: American Psychological Association). On the other hand, grandparents facing the final chapters of their lives often lose their will to go on without their grandchildren's love and companionship - a situation that can be likened to elder abuse.

This experience of loss is unfortunately too common and fast becoming an international epidemic. It's time we change the law in favor of protecting these precious relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. World reknowned Anthropologist, Margaret Mead stated, connections between the generations are "essential for the mental health and stability of a nation."

We call upon lawmakers to sign into law IL bills SB 1589 and HB 4452 so they better serve families' best interests by promoting open communication and mediation before making drastic decisions that sever established loving family relationships between grandparents and grandchildren.

Please sign this petition to share your support passage of SB1589 and HB4452   and provide grandparents the right to petition of visitation to preserve these invaluable intergenerational bonds between grandchildren and grandparents.