May 31, 2019
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.
May 29, 2019
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.
May 28, 2019
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.
May 26, 2019
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.
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.
