CCI Radio Hour: Nov. 18, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan explores fallout from the Reproductive Health Act with a Flossmoor dentist; mental health services provided by the new Encompassing Center; the Joliet Diocese's new Laudato ministry with Kayla Jacobs; and the miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen with Bonnie Engstrom.
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CCI Radio Hour: Oct. 21, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses a recent federal report on the impact of assisted suicide on the disabled; three current U.S. Supreme Court cases that could impact religious freedom; an effort to consolidate downstate and suburban pension pension funds for police and firefighters; and a preview of the veto session with a Capitol News Illinois journalist.
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CCI Radio Hour: Sept. 16, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan talks about federal officials lowering the cap on migrants seeking entry into America; Aid for Women's annual benefit dinner; the 50th anniversary of Misericordia; and an engineer turned novice taking her final vows as a Franciscans of the Eucharist.
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CCI Radio Hour: Aug. 19, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses the importance of the first 72 hours after an inmate's release with Dr. MaryClare Birmingham of Kolbe House; the Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children with Sr. JoAnn Persch; and a new report on American opinions on abortion and contraception with Natalie Jackson of the Public Religion Research Institute.
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CCI Radio Hour: July 15, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses the deleterious effects expected from gaming expansion with Les Bernal of Stop Predatory Gambling; Holy Cross Hospital's new crisis stabilization unit; and humanitarian aid for migrants with Sr. Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.
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CCI Radio Hour: June 17, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses the complete funding of the Tax Credit Scholarship program in the FY 2020 budget with Juan Rangel of Empower Illinois; human trafficking with Pat Winn, who heads up Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford; and the final version of the "Reproductive Health Act" with Ralph Rivera of Illinois Right to Life.
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2019 legislative session marked by last-minute push on abortion, marijuana, gambling expansion, statewide construction program
In the final days of the 2019 legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved legislation making abortion a fundamental right, legalizing marijuana for recreational use, switching the state's income tax from a flat rate to a graduated rate and to be put before voters in November 2020, expanding gambling with up to six new casinos that include a site in Chicago, legalizing sports betting, doubling the gas tax, hiking annual license plate fees by 50 percent, and increasing cigarette taxes by a dollar a pack. Earlier in the year, legislators OK'd a measure to increase the state's minimum wage to $15 by 2025.
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Illinois Senate gives 'Reproductive Health Act' final passage
The Illinois Senate late tonight passed the misnamed "Reproductive Health Act" as embodied in Senate Bill 25 on a 34-20 vote, with three lawmakers voting "present." The House previously passed the measure, so the bill now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who previously has said he will sign it into law. The Catholic Conference of Illinois is not issuing a statement upon final passage, having published statements after House passage and before Senate consideration. However, some of our bishops have issued individual statements, which may be viewed in this website post.
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Illinois' Catholic bishops urge state Senate to reject 'Reproductive Health Act'
Illinois' six Catholic bishops today issued a statement urging the Illinois Senate to reject the "Reproductive Health Act." The extreme measure that overhauls the state's abortion laws passed the Illinois House yesterday, and is due to go before the Illinois Senate before the end of the legislative session on May 31.
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CCI issues statement on House passage of 'Reproductive Health Act'
The Catholic Conference of Illinois today issued a statement after House passage of the "Reproductive Health Act," which overhauls abortion law in the state and makes the procedure a fundamental right. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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