U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion law

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.
U.S. Supreme Court rules DACA elimination ‘arbitrary and capricious’; program stands for now

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.
CCI Radio Hour: June 15, 2020

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.
U.S., Illinois bishops issue statements on death of George Floyd

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.
Bishop Pates of Joliet issues statement of compassion and solidarity with the incarcerated during pandemic

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.
Illinois lawmakers pass budget during shortened, pandemic-driven session

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.