U.S. bishops' pro-life chair, CCI respond to ads, op-ed promoting public funding for abortion
Many Chicago-area Catholics were most likely surprised to learn from full-page ads in Monday’s Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times that abortion is OK by the Catholic Church since it is a social justice issue. At least that’s what...
Education Newsletter: September 2016
The beginning of a new school year means catching up on the latest education news and regulations. Check out our September 2016 Education Newsletter for updates on the proposed state Invest in Kids Act, the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, the Grant Accountability...
CCI Radio Hour: Aug. 15, 2016
Aug. 15, 2016 show CCI Executive Director Robert Gilligan is joined by Illinois Catholic Health Association's Patrick Cacchione to address the controversy over Senate Bill 1564, which the governor recently signed into law. The new law, which modifies...
CCI submits comments on implementation of federal 'Every Student Succeeds Act'
The Catholic Conference of Illinois today submitted a memorandum to the Illinois State Board of Education on next year’s implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA replaces No Child Left Behind, the federal education law, and there are a...
Archbishop Cupich applauds reauthorization of children's health insurance program
Archbishop Cupich of Chicago today joined state lawmakers and health care advocates in a celebration of the reauthorization of a state program that allows parents of low- to middle-income families to purchase low-cost health insurance for their children. Archbishop...
CCI offers guidance to schools on new law concerning grant accountability, transparency
A new Illinois law will increase accountability and transparency in the use of public funds while also reducing any administrative burden on state agencies and grant recipients. The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, or GATA for short, sets up a free...
CCI Radio Hour: July 18, 2016
July 18, 2016 show Members of St. Martin de Porres parish in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago regularly go out into the streets after Mass, holding signs of "Honk for Jesus," and "Prayer Changes Things." Pastor Tom Walsh tells Bob about the...
Stopgap budget reached within hours of new fiscal year; social services get paid at 65 percent
State lawmakers yesterday approved a stopgap budget for the new fiscal year, just hours before FY 2017 was set to begin. The six-month spending plan outlined in Senate Bill 2047 fully funds a year of K-12 education and keeps the lights on at state agencies...
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Texas abortion law; U.S. bishops lament loss of 'common-sense law'
The U.S. Supreme Court today struck down a Texas abortion law in a 5-3 ruling, leading a U.S. bishops’ spokeswoman to mourn the loss of a “common-sense law protecting women from abortion facilities that put profits above patient safety.” The high...
Tied U.S. Supreme Court blocks presidential immigration action; U.S. bishops disappointed
A tied U.S. Supreme Court today blocked President Barack Obama’s 2014 attempt to bar deportation of about 4 million undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. The nine-word decision in United States v. Texas upholds the injunction placed on the...