Aug. 19, 2019 show Dr. MaryClare Birmingham, executive director of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Kolbe House jail ministry, joins Bob to talk about the crucial importance of the first 72 hours after an inmate's release. Then, Sr. JoAnn Persch, a Sister of Mercy, talks about her recent arrest in Washington, D.C., during the Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children. Finally, ...
CCI Radio Hour: July 15, 2019
July 15, 2019 show Les Bernal, national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, joins Bob to talk about the deleterious personal and societal effects expected from the massive gaming expansion passed by the legislature this spring – up to six new casinos, including one in Chicago, slot machines at race tracks, legalized ...
CCI Radio Hour: June 17, 2019
June 17, 2019 show Juan Rangel, strategy director for Empower Illinois, the organization that awards Tax Credit Scholarships to most of the Catholic schools in Illinois, joins Bob to talk about the complete funding of the program in the new state budget despite earlier threats to diminish it. Next, Pat Winn, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rockford diocese, talks about ...
May 20, 2019 show Greg Schleppenbach, associate director of pro-life activities at the USCCB, joins Bob to talk about conscience protections afforded by new rules recently issued by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Next, Stanley Carlson-Thies, founder and senior director of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, talks about the religious freedom concerns of the Equality Act, which amends the ...
CCI Radio Hour: April 15, 2019
April 15, 2019 show Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, joins Bob to talk about the fall-out from that state’s passage of extreme abortion legislation in January. Next, Jenn Briemann, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, talks about how physician-assisted suicide legislation suddenly took off this spring. The Maryland House passed PAS legislation ...
March 18, 2019 show Paul Linton, nationally-known attorney on abortion law, joins Bob to talk about abortion legislation pending before the Illinois legislature. Then, Melissa Hastings of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses potential federal legislation that would help Dreamers and those individuals with Temporary Protected Status. Finally, Don Carlson of Illinois People's Action talks about
CCI Radio Hour: Feb. 18, 2019
Feb. 18, 2019 show Peter Steinfels, former editor of Commonweal magazine and a religion reporter for the New York Times, joins Bob to talk about the essay he wrote for the magazine a few weeks ago in which he extensively examined the Pennsylvania grand jury report. Clarke Forsythe, senior counsel for Americans United for Life, talks about the recent abortion legislation introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Then, Illinois ...
CCI Radio Hour: Jan. 21, 2019
Jan. 21, 2019 show Alex Berenson, author of the just-released book, “Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence,” joins Bob to talk about the effects that marijuana has on psychosis, which can lead to an increase in violence. Illinois lawmakers are expected to legalize recreational marijuana this spring, and new Gov. JB Pritzker has said he supports the initiative. The Catholic Conference opposes legalization. Next, Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, talks about the just-opened application ...
CCI Radio Hour: Dec. 17, 2018
Dec. 17, 2018 show Ryan Bomberger, co-founder of the Radiance Foundation, joins Bob to talk about the March for Life Chicago in January at which he will serve as the keynote speaker. Ryan's biological mother was raped but followed through on her pregnancy, giving up Ryan for adoption when he was six weeks old. The Radiance Foundation seeks to affirm that every life has purpose and is known for its various billboard campaigns celebrating adoption, unplanned pregnancies and fatherhood. ...
CCI Radio Hour: Nov. 19, 2018
Nov. 19, 2018 show This fall marks the first semester for new students attending Catholic or other private schools on the Tax Credit Scholarship program signed into law just over a year ago. We hear about the impact from Jon Priest, assistant principal of Our Lady of Charity School in Cicero, and parent Laura Garcia. Next, Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, talks about the re-entry house the organization will open in the spring for former ...
