Providing the Catholics of Illinois a voice in public policy
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Protecting Every Life
We support legislative efforts to protect every stage of life.
Marriage and Family Life
We advance policies that promote marriage and strengthen the family.
Catholic Priorities in State Government
We represent the Catholic Church at the Illinois Capitol.
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We feed the hungry, care for the sick, and help the needy.
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We advocate for policies that respect the dignity of immigrants, workers, senior citizens, and low-income individuals and families.
Ad Hoc Committee
Prison and Jail Ministry
CCI coordinates a statewide effort of prison and jail ministry offered through the dioceses. Lay Catholics receive training to offer hope to inmates through the salvation of the Gospel.
Catholics in Illinois
The Latest News & Updates
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion law
The U.S. Supreme Court today in a 5-4 vote ruled against a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions in the state to have admitting privileges in nearby hospitals, four years after striking down an almost-identical Texas law. Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the four liberal-leaning justices in rebuffing the Louisiana law, pointing in a separate concurring opinion to the legal doctrine of stare decisis – the idea that courts should generally not overrule their rulings made in prior cases.
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U.S. Supreme Court rules DACA elimination ‘arbitrary and capricious’; program stands for now
The U.S. Supreme Court today in a 5-4 vote ruled against the Trump administration’s decision to end a popular program safeguarding young, working undocumented immigrants from deportation, stating the 2017 rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was “arbitrary and capricious.” The USCCB welcomed the ruling and urged President Trump to maintain the program while also encouraging the U.S. Senate to immediately pass legislation providing a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
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CCI Radio Hour: June 15, 2020
Danielle Brown of the USCCB talks about the 2018 pastoral letter against racism, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love," against the backdrop of national protests over the death of George Floyd. Then, University of Notre Dame professor Daniel Philpott discusses the president's recent executive order on advancing international religious freedom. Next, Auxiliary Bishop Ron Hicks, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, talks about reopening parishes for public Mass amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Peter Newburn of the Diocese of Joliet offers highlights from Saturday's virtual rally for racial justice.
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U.S., Illinois bishops issue statements on death of George Floyd
Several statements have been issued by bishops from across the country and Illinois on the death of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that have ensued. Floyd was an African-American resident of Minneapolis who died on Mon., May 25 while handcuffed and lying on a city street during an arrest made by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer. Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a market.
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Bishop Pates of Joliet issues statement of compassion and solidarity with the incarcerated during pandemic
Bishop Richard E. Pates, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Joliet, today called on state corrections officials to ease the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois prisons by releasing some prisoners early, distributing masks and cleaning supplies among inmates and staff, and issuing accurate infection data. He also urged the shuttering of a reopened unit of Stateville Correctional Center.
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Illinois lawmakers pass budget during shortened, pandemic-driven session
Illinois lawmakers wrapped up an abbreviated session early today, in which they crafted a $42.8 billion budget reliant on borrowing for an upcoming fiscal year that is shrouded in uncertainty wrought by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. The budget set to take effect July 1 relies on a $5 billion loan from a special Federal Reserve fund created to aid state governments during the pandemic. Legislators hope to pay off the debt with monies from an uncertain additional stimulus package from Congress.
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Bishop-elect Michael G. McGovern of the Diocese of Belleville to be ordained July 22
The Diocese of Belleville today announced that Bishop-elect Michael G. McGovern will be ordained on July 22 -- the day pervious to the ordination of Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, which was announced earlier today. Cardinal Cupich of Chicago, Bishop Braxton of Chicago and Bishop Rassas, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Chicago, will serve as consecrators for the limited-attendance liturgy. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, has confirmed that he will participate in the ordination liturgy.
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Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria to be ordained July 23
The Diocese of Peoria today announced that Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis Tylka will be ordained on July 23 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria. The press release announcing the ordination date comes just a week after the news of Bishop-elect Tylka's appointment to the diocese. Cardinal Cupich of Chicago and Bishop Jenky of Peoria will serve as consecrators for the limited-attendance liturgy. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, has confirmed that he will participate in the ordination liturgy.
read moreLetter to Illinois state superintendent: Follow federal guidance in distributing CARES Act funding to nonpublic schools
The Catholic Conference of Illinois today sent a letter to the state's top education official on behalf of the six Catholic school superintendents, asking that she comply with federal guidelines in distributing pandemic monetary aid to Catholic and other private schools.
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Illinois Catholic dioceses release plan for reopening churches
The bishops of Illinois' six Catholic dioceses late yesterday released a uniform plan developed in conjunction with state and local civic and public health officials for reopening churches across the state. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker last week released a detailed "Restore Illinois" plan for reopening regions of the state as the COVID-19 pandemic runs it course. Each bishop also released a personal letter to the faithful in his diocese, with some noting regional modifications to the overall plan.
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Find Your Legislator
Find out who are your elected officials, and how to contact them. Learn who is in the state leadership positions, and who sits on relevant committees in the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives.