CCI Radio Hour

Oct. 15, 2018 show Manya Brachear, religion reporter for the Chicago Tribune, joins Bob to talk about her career covering the Catholic Church in Chicago as she moves to the East Coast. Next, Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, talks about the new Carafem abortion clinic that has opened in Skokie and is known for its bold advertising of abortion. Then, Ryan Gruenenfelder, director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Illinois, discusses the organization's recent ...

Sept. 17, 2018 show Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, joins Bob to talk about the upcoming November general election in light of the hacking two years ago of the agency's database. Then, Anthony Granado with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Domestic Social Development talks about the status of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, as lawmakers debate whether to increase current work requirements and tighten ...

Aug. 20, 2018 show Rob Griffin, associate director of research at the Washington, D.C.-based Public Religion Research Institute, joins Bob to talk about recent results of a public opinion poll indicating the tide may be turning slightly in favor of religious freedom.Then, Fr. Charles Bouchard, Senior Director of Theology and Ethics at the Catholic Health Association, joins Bob to talk about the recent New York Times article for which he was interviewed in which Catholic health care was ...

July 16, 2018 show The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court kicks off the show, as Chicago attorney Jim Geoly joins Bob to talk about the Senate confirmation process. Next, state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, discusses the impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding crisis pregnancy centers and how it may set a precedent for a similar Illinois case currently in the courts. Then, Greg Bishop, a journalist for the Illinois News Network, joins ...

June 18, 2018 show Ashley Feasley, director of policy for the USCCB’s  Migration and Refugee Services, joins Bob to offer some clarity on the issue of family separation, unaccompanied minors, and the so-called “lost” children.  Next, Rick Garnett, law professor at Notre Dame Law School, talks about the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd., v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Then, Dr. Frances Broghammer, a resident in psychiatry at the University of California at Irvine, ...

May 21, 2018 show Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, joins Bob to talk about Gov. Rauner's call to reinstate the death penalty for mass murderers and those convicted of killing a police officer. Next, Greg Schleppenbach, assistant director of pro-life activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), discusses the Trump administration’s proposed rule change that drops a requirement that Title X funding recipients must provide abortion counseling to patients. This is expected ...

April 16, 2018 show Sister Jean, chaplain to the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team, joins Bob to talk about her recent celebrity status attained when the team reached the Sweet Sixteen and the Final Four. Next, Bishop Joseph Perry, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago, discusses recent progress in the canonization cause for Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African-American priest in America. Then, Don Carlson, executive director of Illinois People’s Action, explains Senate Bill 2843, which ...

March 19, 2018 show The March 20 primary elections in Illinois kick off this month's show, as John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, joins Bob to talk about various races across the state. Then, Fr. David Kelly of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago talks about the restorative justice hubs his ministry has created across the city. Next, Anthony Holter of Empower Illinois, the scholarship-granting organization serving most of the ...

Feb. 19, 2018 show State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, discusses Senate Bill 2236, which seeks to undo the new Tax Credit Scholarship program by tying it to the annual budget process. Then, Kris Cortes, a resident of Flossmoor, talks about her community's efforts in dealing with a new Planned Parenthood clinic. Next, Father Corey Brost and Viatorian Brother Michael Gosch talk about the Viatorian House of Hospitality in Des Plaines they co-founded to provide a home to ...

Jan. 15, 2018 show Host Bob Gilligan looks ahead to the upcoming spring legislative session by tapping the insights of Illinois political writer John O'Connor of the Associated Press. Next, Lucas Swanepoel, vice president of social policy at Catholic Charities USA, gives an update on the funding status of CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) as the federal government faces a possible shutdown. Then, Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., president and founder of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, talks ...