chicago (WLS) — According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, as of April 30, there were over 7,200 children in foster care throughout the state.

What’s next for them?

Dr. Susan McConnell founded Let It Be Us to be the bridge between families who want to adopt and children waiting for adoption through foster care.

Dr. Susan McConnell founded Let It Be Us to be the bridge between families who want to adopt and children.

She and her husband have three adopted children.

“McConnell mentioned, “We have been operating for eleven years with the goal of offering solutions for foster care and adoption. Currently, we have a statewide contract with DCFS to provide adoptive resources for waiting children.”

Patrick Macellaio is a Let it Be Us board member. He was adopted at birth.

“I was raised always knowing I was adopted. My brother and I are sixteen days apart. We were adopted from different families,” Macellaio said.

Patrick Macellaio is a Let it Be Us board member. He was also adopted.

He explained that he had a great experience and was “afforded a beautiful life; a wonderful education.”

McConnell said it’s “extremely rewarding” to be a foster or adoptive parent.

“Emphasizing the importance of proper placement, McConnell explained, “Instead of simply moving a child to the next available home, we strive to find the most suitable home for each child. We collaborate with caseworkers across the state, whether they are affiliated with a private agency or DCFS. Our technology is accessible to them via our customer service, ensuring that every child has access to a pool of waiting families for the best possible match.”

For more information:

Let It Be Us Home Page

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Trump's new head of FEMA makes startling revelation as Hurricane season approaches

Startling Revelation from Trump’s New Head of FEMA as Hurricane Season Approaches

According to four sources familiar with the matter, the new head of…
Essex Files: Tulsa’s Race Massacre Fund Is Misguided - Let’s Fix What’s Broken Now

Fixing the Issue: Rethinking the Approach to Tulsa’s Race Massacre Fund in Essex Files

Tulsa’s new mayor, Monroe Nichols, aims to establish a $100 million trust…
NJ special education teacher flies high with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

New Jersey teacher excels with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in special education role

NEW HANOVER, New Jersey — Special education teacher Miss Ellie Hyland took…
Escaped zebra caught on camera running along busy Tennessee roadway as chaos forces lane closures

Zebra on the loose filmed running on crowded road in Tennessee causing lane closures

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A zebra remains on…
Texas murder suspect Trevor McEuen caught after weeks on the run

Fugitive Trevor McEuen captured in Texas after being on the run for weeks

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Texas capital murder…
'Holy grail' cancer therapy gives terminally ill men new hope in major breakthrough

New treatment for men with terminal cancer offers promising results in a significant advancement

A groundbreaking cancer treatment hailed as a ‘holy grail’ is offering fresh…
RHONY star engaged to her German businessman boyfriend after three years of dating

Real Housewives of New York star gets engaged to her German businessman partner following three years of dating.

The Real Housewives of New York City star Ubah Hassan shared her…
In overwhelmingly Muslim areas of Britain's second-largest city, foreign flags fly from lamp posts and ugly sectarian politics threaten to tear the social fabric apart, as DAVID PATRIKARAKOS discovers in a devastating dispatch

Foreign Flags and Sectarian Politics Threaten Social Fabric in Muslim-Dominated Areas of Britain’s Second-Largest City: A Report by David Patrikarakos

Recently, a criminal defense attorney located in Perry Barr, Birmingham, was accused…
Dem Rep Maxine Waters' Campaign Just Got Slapped With a Fine Over Election Violations

Maxine Waters Faces Fine for Election Violations in Campaign

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has imposed a $68,000 fine on Representative…
Is ‘Paradise’ On Tonight? ‘Paradise’ Season 2 Return Date, Season 2 Cast, And More

Is the Show ‘Paradise’ Airing Tonight? Details on Season 2 Premiere Date, Cast, and More

In true Dan Fogelman fashion, Paradise Episode 8 was jam packed with…
‘American Ninja Warrior’ Hosts Talk Season 17 Premiere, Flip Rodriguez’s “Devastating” Fall, And Daniel Gil’s Historic 30th Buzzer

“Recap of ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 17 Premiere: Surprising Moments and Historic Buzzer Run”

There’s no slowing down American Ninja Warrior. The hit competition series is…
11 stabbed at homeless men's shelter in Oregon, suspect in custody

Man in custody after stabbing 11 people at Oregon homeless shelter

Eleven people were stabbed at a men’s homeless shelter in Oregon in…