I have been a foster parent to a 3 year old and 2 year old for > 1 year. Without warning, (received no plan of action from the caseworker) I was told that the 2 children (siblings) would be transitioned to another family, who has their 2 month old 1/2 brother because this family was willing to "adopt" all 5 children. There are 2 other siblings ages 4 and 6 currently living with the grandmother. At first, I had no intention of adopting the children that I am fostering, no one ever asked me the question, no one ever asked me if I wanted to foster the 2 month old either, but after 1-2 weeks of soul searching, my husband and I said that we wanted to adopt our 2 children and would even take the 2 month old if they had to stay together. After being told we would be given preference because the children have been with us > 1 year, now we were told, "we are going with the other couple because they will take all 5 children". Having discovered siblings staying together take preference, I have resolved myself that I will be losing the children, but I do have 2 questions:

The caseworker said the children need to be transitioned to the other family ASAP, because she can not go to the judge and ask for the parental rights to be relinquished if they are not with the other family. Is this true??? I wanted the children to stay until 6/3/12 (the girl has a dance performance) and the caseworker insists they must leave on 5/26/12. No explanation is given to me, other than "my supervisor wants them transitioned now".

Also, what if this other couple decides not to take all 5 children, do I have any recourse, since I said I would take 3 of the children but not all 5? The other couple wishes to start with the 2 month old, 2 year old and 3 year old first, before accepting the 4 and 6 year old. But I was told the only reason the children are leaving me and going to the other couple is because the other couple said they would take all 5 children. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I am a novice foster parent. Never received any children care plan for these children. Up until 1 1/2 mos ago reunification was the goal. Then 1 day a message was left on my phone that the children were going to be transitioned. I do not feel dcfs has the best interest of the children. This will be the 5th foster home in 1 1/2 years for these children. Thanks in advance for any help

Optional Information:
Country relating to Question: United States
State (if USA): Illinois

Already Tried:
speaking with caseworker, caseworkers supervisor, district supervisor (she said she would investigate and call me back, she never did, even through i left 3 messages), planning on at least voicing my opinion to the executive director of DCFS unless you have a different suggestion