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.
read moreIllinois bishops issue statement on legislative push for 'Reproductive Health Act'
Illinois’ six Catholic bishops today issued a statement on the end-of-session push to consider the so-called "Reproductive Health Act."The extreme legislation goes further than Roe v. Wade in stripping rights from the unborn child, and jeopardizes conscience protections for doctors, nurses and hospitals who refuse to participate in an abortion. The spring legislative session is set to end just days away, on May 31.
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CCI Radio Hour: May 20, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan discusses conscience protections afforded by new federal HHS rules with Greg Schleppenbach of the USCCB; religious freedom concerns associated with the federal Equality Act with Stanley Carlson-Thies of the Religious Freedom Alliance; and marijuana legalization with Andy Duran of the substance abuse-prevention organization LEAD.
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CCI Radio Hour: April 15, 2019
Executive Director Bob Gilligan talks about extreme abortion legislation passed in New York State with Kathleen Gallagher of the New York State Catholic Conference; physician-assisted suicide with Jennifer Briemann of the Maryland Catholic Conference; how marijuana legalization is progressing with Chicago Tribune reporter Robert McCoppin; and the federal First Step Act with Michael O'Rourke of the USCCB.
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CCI takes aim at predatory car title lending rates
The Catholic Conference of Illinois is urging support of House Bill 2468, which cracks down on exorbitant interest rates for car title loans. The legislation calls for interest rates on loans taken out against the title of a motor vehicle to be capped at 36%. As one of 20 states that currently allow such loans, Illinois does not regulate interest rates, which can often reach 300%.
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Illinois' 6 Catholic bishops hold press conference on abortion legislation
Illinois' six Catholic bishops today held a press conference at the Illinois Capitol, warning about extreme abortion legislation under consideration by the General Assembly. They were joined by a neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse, an obstetrician/gynecologist, and a community outreach specialist with Catholic Charities.
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