Providing the Catholics of Illinois a voice in public policy
Who We AreThe Best Possible Education for Our Kids
We work to make their dreams come true.
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.
Social Services
We feed the hungry, care for the sick, and help the needy.
Social Justice
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., 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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CCI Radio Hour: May 18, 2020
Coadjutor Bishop-elect Louis "Lou" Tylka joins host Bob Gilligan to talk about his appointment last week to the Diocese of Peoria. Next, Kathy Stauber and Nancy Lou Cook discuss the Archdiocese of Chicago’s new, volunteer-driven initiative, “A Call to Prayer” phone service. Then, Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, talks about how his agency has adapted services to clients during the statewide stay-at-home order. Finally, film producer Geoff Rogers discusses "Blind Eyes Opened, his latest project that offers a look at human trafficking from the perspective of survivor-victims.
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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.
read moreCoadjutor 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.
read morePope Francis names Fr. Louis Tylka of Archdiocese of Chicago as Coadjutor Bishop of Diocese of Peoria
Pope Francis announced early today that he has named Reverend Louis Tylka, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as the Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, Ill.
A coadjutor is an assistant bishop with the right of succession. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who has shepherded the Diocese of Peoria since 2002, will continue as diocesan bishop. When he retires, Coadjutor Bishop-elect Tylka will automatically succeed him. Bishop Jenky turns 75, the age when bishops are required to turn in their resignation to the pope, on March 3, 2022.
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Pope Francis accepts resignation of Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of Joliet
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop R. Daniel Conlon from the Office of Bishop of Joliet in Illinois and has appointed Most Reverend Richard E. Pates as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacant. Bishop Conlon has been on medical leave since December 2019 and Bishop Pates, who retired as Bishop of Des Moines in 2019, has been serving as Apostolic Administrator for the diocese.
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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.