Bill Woolf, a human trafficking expert who has done trainings for USCCB, talks about the link between parental notice of abortion and raising a red flag about trafficking victims. Next, Rabbi Shlomo Soroka of Aguduth-Israel discusses the importance of the Tax Credit Scholarship program to Jewish schools as the scholarship program for nonpublic schools faces a cut proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Then, Tony Cube of USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants initiative talks about the actions President Joe Biden has taken in favor of immigrants since assuming office in late January, and what’s ahead on the political horizon, including the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. Finally, Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, talks about sponsoring Senate Bill 133, the Ultrasound Opportunity Act.
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, talks about the potential for ending the federal death penalty under President Joe Biden. Next, Anthony Holter, president of Empower Illinois, discusses the organization’s recently released annual report on the Tax Credit Scholarship program. Then, Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Teutopolis, talks about House Bill 697, which calls for a 50% income tax credit on contributions to pregnancy resource centers. Finally, Geno Fernandez, president of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s school board, talks about the Archdiocese’s $1.4 million Gratitude Fund, which distributed bonuses to school employees as a thank-you for their efforts toward in-person learning during the pandemic.
Jennifer Daniels of USCCB talks about aid for Catholic schools in the recent stimulus package. Then, Justin Lombardo of the Archdiocese of Chicago discusses the documented success of Archdiocesan schools with in-person learning during the pandemic as outlined in a study published in an academic journal. Finally, Abe Scarr of Illinois PIRG discusses passage of the Predatory Loan Prevention Act during the recent lame-duck session.
Greg Schleppenbach of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses the moral guidance on COVID-19 vaccines issued by the organization. Then, Kevin Grillot of weDignify talks about next month's March for Life Chicago. Then, Louis Jones of the Diocese of Belleville discusses the anti-poverty work that garnered him the 2020 USCCB Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. Closing out the show, Glenn Van Cura of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet talks about his 10 years at the helm of the agency as he gets ready to start a teaching position in the Republic of Korea.
Ryan Burge, assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, talks about the Catholic vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election. Kent Redfield, retired professor of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, discusses the dizzying amount of money spent in the Nov. 3 election on the "fair tax" ballot initiative, the retention bid of an Illinois Supreme Court justice, and targeted legislative races. Then, David Spotanski, COO of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, talks about the upcoming Nov. 28 elevation to cardinal of Archbishop Gregory of Washington, D.C. Finally, Fr. Mike Meany of St. John Brebeuf parish in Niles talks about the Archdiocese's online photo exhibit honoring his late uncle, WWII chaplain Fr. John Beyenka.
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, gives an overview of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which the Illinois Legislature is expected to consider in the spring session. Then Chris Ross, an attorney with Catholic Charities USA, discusses the historically-low refugee cap of 15,000 proposed by the federal government for the new fiscal year. Next, Pat Winn of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford reminisces about his nine years at the helm of the agency as he prepares to retire. Wrapping up the show, Fr. Mike Bradley of Chicago shares the "neighborhood version" of the cancelled Chicago Marathon that he ran to raise money for the Heart to Heart ministry at St. Gertrude parish in the city's Edgewater neighborhood.
