Leading Surrogate Agency in Chicago
When you look at reproductive medicine, Chicago is on the map from the very beginning…. Illinois is very pro-family… and an extremely desirable state for gestational surrogacy. ConceiveAbilities just nails this: making the surrogate feel like she has a guide throughout this process.
ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency: Leading the Way in Illinois Surrogacy
Most Experienced Chicago Surrogacy Agency. Highest Illinois Surrogate Pay. Best Surrogate Support.
ConceiveAbilities is the most experienced surrogacy agency in the United States and the best for surrogates. Our headquarters in Chicago, Illinois gives us the advantage of working with Illinois’s finest doctors and professionals in surrogacy, families and Illinois surrogates for 25 years. We know the surrogacy process in Illinois better than any other agency. We have the on-the-ground know-how to protect your interests as a surrogate at every step, so you can focus on the joy of helping another family build their family and get paid well for doing so. And, we’ve used all of our experience to create something no one else has: a first-of-its-kind innovative program built just for surrogates to care, compensate, and protect you to help you achieve your dream of helping another family.
Surrogates sit at the heart of our program, and we are ready to guide you through your Illinois surrogacy journey from our West Loop office, and you can call us anytime at (312) 379-5700. We pride ourselves on providing a local, personalized experience for each surrogate, while using our decades of experience and national reach to help match Chicago surrogates with intended parents in Illinois, throughout the Midwest and across America. Because of our earned reputation, Chicago hospital systems, OB-GYNs, and fertility clinics turn to us for highly qualified surrogates. We partner with the best IVF clinics in Chicago including Fertility Centers of Illinois and Northwestern Medicine Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Chicago that are readily accessible for surrogates from Illinois and the Chicagoland area alike.
Why do women become surrogates in Illinois? Simply put, surrogates have a remarkable opportunity to create happiness and fulfillment for others, discovering a calling and purpose in an unforgettably unique way. Surrogates find joy in helping others. And, we’ve used all of our experience to create something no one else has: a first-of-its-kind innovative program built just for surrogates to care, compensate, and protect you so you can do just that. Illinois is a fantastic place to be a surrogate, with a longstanding legal statute to ensure a favorable environment for gestational surrogacy agreements and a vibrant community of fertility and obstetrical experts.
All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program
ConceiveAbilities will expertly guide you through the surrogacy process. We know timing, matching and surrogate pay are priorities for you and your family. You may want a local match with intended parents that also live in the Chicagoland area and, if so, we have many hopeful Chicagoan families waiting to find their perfect surrogate. Illinois-based surrogates are in high demand and you will find many options to consider. Here is simply why ConceiveAbilities is the best Illinois surrogacy agency for surrogates to partner with: We offer a comprehensive All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program designed just for you.
Full partum care is a key part of the program from the beginning of your surrogacy journey through fourth trimester recovery. We help you take full advantage of the immense resources available throughout Illinois so that you emerge from your surrogacy journey stronger than ever.
- Pregnancy support and doula groups like Blissful Births & Babies, Windy City Doulas, Doulas of Chicago, and Chicago Family Doulas
- Breast pumping support and breast milk donor groups like Breastfeed Chicago and Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes
- Volunteer groups like Chicago Cares, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Paws Chicago
- Fitness groups like Cocoon Care and FIT4MOM
- LGBTQ+ parenting and surrogacy resources including Gay Fathers of Greater Chicago and Center on Halsted.
- Loads of great mom communities like The Chicago New Moms, Chicago Parent, Chicago North Shore Moms, Oak Park Working Moms, and MamaTribe Chicago, just to name a few.
At ConceiveAbilities, you are surrounded by a complete support team, all in-house, including financial, insurance, legal guidance and a personal Match Manager, that guides you step by step through the process. We are fully invested in your emotional and physical health to ensure you have the best surrogacy journey possible.
Monthly packages appear to show you are valued. Can you taste that juicy sweetness of farm-fresh fruit? Those freshly cut flowers that you picked up at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market? We can too and we’ll be sending you goodies like this in your monthly care package.
We offer great pay for you. We know, and you know, that surrogacy is motivated by the desire to help a family. And, compensation is also important. Our pay package for you is the highest of any Illinois surrogacy agency. Period. And, others require you to submit expense reports for reimbursement. We are not shy to talk about compensation and we want to hear your priorities, as compared to competitors that provide averages or broad ranges and make you negotiate your own package. Talk to us and we’ll make sure you have the perfect package for you. Use our surrogate salary calculator to get your estimated base pay. Then take this survey and our Surrogate Engagement Coordinator will work with you to get you your personalized surrogate compensation package.
There Are Many Surrogacy Agencies in Illinois. Why Should You Choose ConceiveAbilities?
We have earned our stellar reputation and we intend to keep it. Our surrogates are known for being exceptional by both intended parents and medical professionals. The proof is in our well-established networks and in the numbers.
- 95% of our surrogates are medically cleared by IVF clinics.
- 56% of our surrogates do a repeat surrogacy journey.
And, perhaps the ultimate proof: 78% of our surrogates want to refer a friend to be a surrogate.
Why? Because they loved their experience with us. We have decades of experience helping hundreds of surrogates and families in Illinois grow their families. Unlike some other Illinois surrogacy agencies who use third parties for matching and escrow, we keep everything in house so our team is fully informed about your needs without any hassle. Our expert staff is at your fingertips and ready to help you start your surrogacy journey. We have dozens of hopeful parents in Illinois ready to immediately match with an Illinois surrogate like you. Want to wait to get pregnant? We can do that too. We customize our qualification process to work at your pace, with no timing pressure. We are on your timeline and you are in control.
Why Illinois Is A Great Place To Be A Surrogate
The Windy City has always been known for its innovation from the invention of skyscrapers to the birthplace of the electric blues to becoming the home of the first gay rights organization Society for Human Rights. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine actually held its first meeting in Chicago, a gathering tradition that continues today.
ConceiveAbilities is proud to be a part of that forward-thinking tradition as we lead the surrogacy industry in Illinois alongside top fertility clinics, doctors and surrogacy experts. Our deep roots here with the very best experts in the field allow us to connect you with the very best surrogacy resources available to you.
You are covered
Illinois is great legally for surrogates and intended parents, because surrogacy is explicitly allowed under the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act and the Act has a simplified legal process. So long as one parent is genetically related to the child, a court order is not needed in order for intended parents to become parents through surrogacy. The intended parents and surrogates only need to fill out forms and submit them to the Illinois Department of Public Health and their hospital. This allows the intended parents to go on the birth certificate without having to go through the court system.
And that’s not all. Illinois also has the Illinois Infertility Mandate that provides insurance coverage. Recently, Illinois expanded infertility coverage by passing HB 3709. The new law took effect January 1, 2022 and ensured LGBTQ+ families and single parents are also covered and the wait time for women over 35 is reduced.
“This bill is encouraging news for all Illinoisans wanting to start a family. It will remove financial barriers by expanding insurance coverage for infertility treatments, no matter the makeup of your family.” – State Senator Laura Fine, 9th District
Midwestern family values
At ConceiveAbilities, a surrogacy journey consists of a comprehensive team of experts and professionals to ensure you have a safe and successful experience. Even our fertility community is family and we are proud to be a part of the Chicago Coalition for Family Building, an organization that has gathered the top Chicagoland area experts and surrogacy professionals to help families grow their families. The coalition also offers grant money to families struggling with infertility including The Deborah Frank Surrogacy Grant. The coalition is led by two leading Chicago doctors in fertility medicine, Dr. Eve Feinberg of Northwestern and Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron of Fertility Centers of Illinois who shared her thoughts on who becomes a surrogate.
I have worked with ConceiveAbilities since I’ve been in practice. They’ve been an incredible partner. They take amazing care of my patients and I’m always so comfortable recommending that a patient go to ConceiveAbilities. I love that everything is in-house and the patients are incredibly cared for. The level of care that my patients receive there is truly remarkable.
Dr. Eve Feinberg, Northwestern Medicine
‘Best Podcast for Illinois Surrogates? Check Out All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast with Nazca Fontes that covers all things surrogacy. From what drives women to become surrogate mothers to intended parents’ emotional journeys including infertility to industry experts weighing in on important topics you need to know about. You can also check out Fertility Centers of Illinois’ podcast Time To Talk Fertility for more on the topic.’
Ready to start your Illinois surrogacy journey? Take 5 minutes to qualify now. No obligations!
Who Can You Help By Becoming a Surrogate in Illinois?
1 in 8 couples struggle with fertility. Did you know surrogacy is the most successful treatment for infertility with a 75% success rate? And a growing percentage of all IVF treatments are completed with a surrogate, now over 5.4% in 2019? As more people turn to surrogacy to build their family, more surrogates are needed. You, as a surrogate mother, have the power to help hopeful parents’ dreams of a family come true. Why do people need a surrogate to build their families? There are many reasons hopeful parents turn to a surrogate, including:
- LGBTQ community including single men and gay couples
- Infertility diagnosis
- Uterine medical conditions that are either genetic or caused by illness like cancer or endometriosis
Shortly after marrying, Chicago couple Jennifer and Billy found out their dream of having children may not come true after Jennifer was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. The family turned to ConceiveAbilities and were matched with their surrogate, Kristina. Miraculously, three days before their last transfer, the Banks found out that they were pregnant. Knowing that their pregnancy was high-risk, the Banks proceeded with their surrogacy journey with Kristina. The Banks now have three children and are grateful to have chosen the right team of professionals to help grow their family. Watch their story here.
Inspired by Kristina’s gift? Apply now to help Illinois families like Jennifer and Billy.
What Is The Process of Becoming A Surrogate in Illinois?
A surrogacy journey in Illinois is a big commitment and you are the hero at the center of that journey. Our experience ensures that you have a step-by-step process, from applying to be a surrogate in Illinois all the way through a successful fourth trimester recovery. Learn more about our surrogate process here and how to apply to be a surrogate.
From helping you do your research on the best Illinois surrogacy agency to matching you with a family, ConceiveAbilities is honored to make your dream of being a surrogate come true. We are happy to answer all of your surrogacy questions and we also know how valuable it is to be able to speak with someone who has had a shared experience. We have a rich resource group of past Illinois surrogate advocates who have volunteered to speak with you about the process.
Illinois Surrogacy: What You Need To Know
From helping you do your research on the best Illinois surrogacy agency to matching you with a family, ConceiveAbilities is honored to make your dream of being a surrogate come true. We are happy to answer all of your surrogacy questions and we also know how valuable it is to be able to speak with someone who has had a shared experience. We have a rich resource group of past Illinois surrogate advocates who have volunteered to speak with you about the process.
Our five Illinois Surrogate Advocates are ready to share their personal experiences as ConceiveAbilities surrogates in Illinois and answer any surrogacy questions you have directly.
Danielle Calka is a Chicago native. She and her husband of over ten years have lived in the Windy City nearly their entire lives. Not only is she a mom of two pre-teen daughters, she serves as a teacher’s aide for a preschool and is studying for her teacher’s degree. For her, surrogacy was just one more way to help families feel whole. Danielle wishes she could have carried a dozen more times, and now the calling continues for her as she provides support as an advocate to women considering surrogacy.
Amie Heckermann, Pingree Grove, Illinois, has owned and operated a home daycare since her family moved to Illinois from Florida in 2007. She is married to her best friend and, after over 15 years together, she still refers to him as her “boyfriend”. Amie is a proud mother of four kiddos. One is in college, two are teenagers & driving, and the fourth is a sassy & sweet 10-year-old. Being a surrogate was such a fun and fulfilling experience for Amie and her family that she did it twice. Amie started a YouTube channel to document her journey and help educate others about surrogacy. You can find her story at HappieAmie.
Amanda Dickrell, Plainfield, Illinois, is a registered nurse. She and her husband have been married 15 years with two children, a son and daughter. After giving birth to her own kids and knowing her family was complete, Amanda wanted to change someone’s life by giving them the most amazing gift in the world: parenthood. After completing two surrogacy journeys and helping to create and complete a family, she feels she has met her goal of doing something extra special with her life. She takes great pride in having helped other families and is happy to chat with anyone considering surrogacy.
Ashley Garcia, of Poplar Grove, Illinois, delivered as a surrogate in January 2020. She loves being pregnant and found her first journey to be so rewarding that she is considering a second journey. Ashley has been with her husband for over 11 years. They have two children together and own their own photography and videography business. She is very open with all aspects of her surrogacy journey and is happy to chat with anyone who may have questions.
Our Bloomington-Normal Surrogate Advocate, Brittany Gonslaves, is a 2-time surrogate mother, military wife, mom of a five year old daughter and two dogs and labor and delivery nurse. After learning about the surrogacy process in college, she decided to become a surrogate mother in Illinois. She has completed two surrogacy journeys and loves being a part of the gestational carrier community and looks forward to sharing her experience with you.
Click here to learn more about ConceiveAbilities’ surrogate advocate program and, more specifically, how to contact Danielle, Amie, Amanda, Ashley, or Brittany. We also invite you to join us at the Surrogacy Learning Center, a safe and secure online environment to learn more from a kind and giving community of joyful surrogates and fantastic experts.
Take the next step to become a surrogate in Illinois.
Matching with Your Intended Family in Illinois
There’s a thousand hurdles that can come up and matching can seem overwhelming. ConceiveAbilities makes it so that it’s not so overwhelming.
Dr. Jennifer E. Hirshfeld-Cytron, Fertility Centers of Illinois
How do we match you, as a surrogate, with the intended family of your choice? Our proprietary matching process pairs you with the family you were meant to help who has shared values and expectations. Matching Matters ™ has a 97% success rate at first introduction, expediting your journey.
Throughout the screening process, we will have gotten to know you well; toward the end of that process, we will interview you in detail to learn more about your values and expectations for your surrogacy journey. The principles we prioritize in Matching Matters are based on relationship compatibility, medical criteria of the intended parents’ clinic, legal considerations, reproductive choices and other specifics requested by you as a surrogate, and the intended parents. Our experts take into account all aspects of the surrogacy process to thoroughly vet compatibility.
Unlike some other surrogacy agencies in Illinois who don’t show you parent profiles, we will present you with a curated, carefully vetted profile of potential intended parent matches, so you can learn about the family you choose to help. The result? The right match the first time, helping you move closer to your dream of helping a family build their family.
Surrogate Requirements in Illinois
Our surrogate requirements make sure your surrogacy journey is as healthy and successful as possible. In addition to being physically and emotionally healthy, you will have to meet set criteria to be a surrogate. Review these basic qualifications to find out if you qualify as an Illinois surrogate candidate:
- A long term resident of the United States
- Between the ages of 21 and 40 at time of matching
- At least one healthy, uncomplicated full-term birth
Surrogacy Right For You? Be an Illinois Surrogate and Make Dreams Come True. Your information is safe with us and you are under no obligation to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Surrogate in Illinois
What Is Included in the All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program?
It’s not just about the base pay, we are deeply invested in your physical and emotional health. ConceiveAbilities is proud to offer our first-of-its-kind All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Program.
Fourth Trimester Partum Care: A comprehensive plan to ensure a successful Fourth Trimester recovery, from the start of your pregnancy and based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists standard of care, including
- A personalized intake session covering the facts behind, and options for, doula care and birth preparation, physical therapy, nutrition, and fitness / movement
- Monthly Q&A sessions with rotating experts throughout your pregnancy
- A dedicated program of postpartum emotional support, with a trusted network of knowledgeable and caring surrogates
- Monthly Care Packages, because we love to let you know how much we appreciate you, with items that are hand-selected based on what is most appealing to you.
What Other Support Does ConceiveAbilities Provide Surrogates?
A surrogacy journey is a big undertaking. We understand that and want to support our Illinois surrogates through every step, so you can focus on the joy of helping another family build their family and get paid well for doing so. In addition to your dedicated ConceiveAbilities Match Manager who will serve as your primary point of contact throughout your entire surrogacy journey, you will also receive the following:
- Legal Support: The comprehensive ‘Pregnancy on Paper’ is one of the most reassuring parts of the surrogacy process to have small details and ‘what-ifs’ predetermined so that you can feel secure and legally protected. Your own lawyer who represents you, but is paid for by your intended parents, ensures that the comprehensive agreement between you and your intended parents covers everything having to do with your surrogacy including obstetrical care, payments to you, communication between you and your intended parents, “What Ifs” like what happens if you go on bed rest and need additional support, and parentage.
- Insurance Support: Insurance coverage? Money negotiations? Payment disputes? Handled. Not your problem. We work closely with an insurance specialist to manage all the details of your insurance coverage including billing and coverage.
- Emotional Support: Continuing through your full recovery from the pregnancy, we provide dedicated support, with mental health professionals on staff, to guide and help you through this demanding time in your life. We help you build your relationship with your intended parents, using our decades of experience across 100s of surrogacy journeys to guide you through tough conversations and potential conflicts. You, your voice and your choices are at the forefront of your surrogacy journey. Additionally, we introduce you to the Surrogate Sisterhood, a private community of women who are actively engaged with us on a surrogacy journey. You will have routine opportunities to connect with this incredible network of supporters that totally “get it” and are available to answer any question you may have.
- Educational Support: Learn more about surrogacy and collaborate with others in our one-of-a-kind community, the Surrogacy Learning Center.
Is Surrogacy in Illinois Legal?
Yes. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act authorizes gestational surrogacy in Illinois (750 ILCS 47/1-47/45). The statute requires that certifications be filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the hospital prior to the birth and then intended parents name(s) are placed on the child’s birth certificate. The statute applies to married couples, unmarried couples, and single individuals so long as one Intended parent is genetically related to the child. You can be confident that your intended parents will be granted parentage and go home with the baby that you help bring into the world when working with ConceiveAbilities!
Will I Be Related To The Baby?
No. A ConceiveAbilities surrogate does not share any genetics with the baby they are carrying for another family. Learn more about the difference between traditional and gestational surrogacy from Dr. Shapiro of RBA Atlanta.
How Much Do Chicago Surrogates Get Paid?
Chicago-area surrogates earn top compensation for being gestational surrogates because Illinois is a high-demand state. As a first time surrogate in Chicago, you will earn up to $72,000 in base pay, together with a $10,000 limited time bonus – and more as an experienced surrogate! Other competitors list lower base compensation and incidentals. With ConceiveAbilities, we cover your needs upfront including location, insurance and incidentals. We also take into consideration your wage replenishment and qualifications that can increase your financial package. Use our surrogate pay calculator to get your estimated base pay, knowing your detailed personal surrogate compensation can be more depending on your situation.
How Do You Choose The Best Illinois Surrogacy Agency For You?
As the nation’s most experienced surrogacy agency, ConceiveAbilities is ready to help you navigate your surrogacy journey in Illinois. For years, we have been helping hopeful Illinois parents build their families through surrogacy. We have the experience, with registered nurses, surrogacy professional network and legal knowledge, to help you.
How Do I Start My Surrogacy Journey in Illinois?
As a potential Illinois surrogate, we have made it easy and fast for you to find out if you meet basic requirements. Learn more about how to take our survey here to qualify to be a ConceiveAbilities surrogate.
Can I Be A Surrogate If I Don’t Live in the Chicagoland Area?
Yes! If you live anywhere in Illinois, you can fulfill your dream of being a paid surrogate for a hopeful family. We have surrogates applying from everywhere in Illinois: Rockford, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Rochelle, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Champaign, Decatur, Carbondale, Springfield, and more. Surrogates come to Illinois from all over the country to experience the expertise and favorable environment for surrogacy here in Illinois.
How Long Does A Surrogacy Journey in IL Take?
Once you are qualified to become an Illinois surrogate, a surrogacy journey takes approximately 1-2 years to complete.
Can My Surrogacy Agency Help Me Navigate the Legal Aspects of Surrogacy?
Yes, ConceiveAbilities assists surrogates with finding legal representation in Illinois, specifically an attorney who is specialized in surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology law. Your legal services are paid for by your intended parents and ConceiveAbilities works closely with your attorney to coordinate all of the legal aspects of your match.
Does ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency Have An Office in Chicago?
Yes, our Downtown Chicago office is in West Loop (at Ogilvie) to make becoming a surrogate in Wilmette, Aurora, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oak Park, Evanston, Joliet, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Highland Park, Bloomington, Rockford, Carbondale, Champaign, Decatur, Peoria, Rockford and all Illinois locales convenient. And, we work with ease through our own online platform to ensure surrogacy is efficient and safe for you. Call us at any time at (312) 379-5700.
Will I Be Matched With Intended Parents From Illinois?
We know being close to your intended parents and fertility clinic throughout your surrogacy journey might be important to you – for convenience, relationship building and peace of mind. Chicago has some of the best IVF clinics in the world and families who are seeking local Illinois surrogates like you. If matching with a local Illinois family is important to you, we will prioritize matching you as close to home as possible. You may find, in your matching process, that factors other than geographic proximity become more important to you. We see great success in both local and long distance surrogacy journeys.
Do Illinois Courts Grant Pre-birth Orders?
Yes, however, pre-birth orders are not necessary per the statute in Illinois. Instead, the statute permits intended parents to bypass the court and obtain a birth certificate with both parents on it so long as all necessary paperwork has been filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the delivery hospital prior to the child’s birth. A pre-birth, and post-birth, order can be obtained if the intended parents require it.
Is A Hearing Required To Obtain A Pre-birth Order In Illinois?
No, based on the administrative procedures in the statute.
Do You Have More Information About The LGBTQ Community in Chicago interested in becoming Gay Parents?
We are proud to be an LGBTQ+ friendly surrogacy agency in Chicago. Men Having Babies is a great resource for gay dads. It is an international organization dedicated to providing gay men with educational and financial support to achieve parenthood through surrogacy. You can learn more about how hopeful Chicago gay parents and men all over the world become parents at their website. You can also check out our podcast with single gay dad Joseph Tito, The Dad Diaries, and his surrogacy journey experience.
How Do I Learn More About Infertility and Surrogacy?
You can get more information about surrogacy and fertility at American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Resolve: The National Infertility Association.
Testimonials about our surrogacy agency:
My experience as a surrogate far exceeded any hopes or expectations I had, and I believe the most important reason for that is that they completely nailed our match. ConceiveAbilities prides themselves on their matching process, and I couldn’t have dreamt of a more perfect family to work with!!
Kelly Stover, Surrogate
Choose the ConceiveAbilities’ surrogate mother program in Chicago, Illinois.
The process for getting started is easy, confidential, and secure. Go ahead and take the first step with ConceiveAbilities. We are looking forward to getting to know you.
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