Illinois Catholics at the Capitol Today

I'm up early and saw that there was Bupkis on Catholics at the Capitol in the Illinois Media.

Here goes: Illinois Bishops* behind Chicago's Francis Cardinal George,O.M.I. and along with the Catholic Conference of Illinois will meet Illinois Legislators and Leaders to address seven issues vital to Illinois Catholics.

1. legislation to increase the Education Expense Tax Credit, utilized by Catholic school parents, from $500 to $1000 annually;
2. funding to community organizations and parishes to provide English classes to immigrants;
3. legislation mandating that a woman seeking an abortion be offered the opportunity to view a sonogram before the procedure;
4. opposition to legislation providing for same-sex marriage or similarly defined civil unions;
5. legislation to ensure federal and state reimbursements are provided to Catholic health care and hospitals on a timely basis;
6. legislation to finally abolish the death penalty;
7. legislation or budgetary action to provide a cost of doing business increase for Catholic Charities and other social service providers.

I know how my legislators will vote as they are Catholics and neighbors. Illinois Catholics should make a great case and we know Illinois Legislators will do the right thing - seven times.



Chicago
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George

Rockford
Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran

Springfield
Most Reverend George J. Lucas

Peoria
Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky

Belleville
Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton

Joliet
Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain