Judge reinstates Ill. foster-care contracts

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com ^ | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | JOHN O'CONNOR

[Maelstorm]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois judge on Tuesday put Catholic Charities back in the business of finding foster and adoptive homes for children, reinstating — at least temporarily — contracts that were halted when the not-for-profit agency refused to recognize the state's new civil unions law.

The Sangamon County Circuit Court ruling applies to contracts between the agency and the Department of Children and Family Services. The decree is temporary until the matter can be decided after an August hearing.

DCFS ended its decades-long relationship with the agency last month because Catholic Charities refused to recognize Illinois' new civil unions law and allow gay couples and others living together outside marriage to be foster or adoptive parents. The contracts were worth $30.6 million to four Catholic dioceses in the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to DCFS records.

[Maelstorm]

This is good news. Too many religious organizations just rolled over. I'm glad some decided to fight this.

[Lurker]

Catholic Charities shouldn't be taking a nickel of State money in the first place. One can serve God, or one can serve Mamon. One cannot serve both.

In the long run CC of IL is going to lose this. They should state loudly and clearly that they'll not take another penny from the State of Illinois for any purpose whatsoever.

If you take Government cash, you follow Government rules.

[Maelstorm]

I generally would agree but in this case I believe they have a good chance at winning their case ultimately. The state contracts with all kinds of vendors for service. Just because one is religious should not mean they should be excluded. It is an abuse of state power and it is discrimatory. It is no different than the state banning Republicans from doing business with the state because they do not agree with such and such law. This represents changing the terms of an existing contract in midstream which I doubt is legal either.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Maelstorm.

An Illinois judge on Tuesday put Catholic Charities back in the business of finding foster and adoptive homes for children, reinstating -- at least temporarily -- contracts that were halted when the not-for-profit agency refused to recognize the state's new civil unions law.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

Love FR?

DONATE

[Graybeard58]

I’m in Illinois and when my wife and I were licensed for foster care, we got a Lutheran social worker. Are the Lutherans still doing business with the state?

[hinckley buzzard]

You are a little late. Catholic Charities is about 75% funded by federal tax dollars. Nevertheless they stood up for the principle of Life with the homosexual adoption fiasco Illinois tried to foist down their throats.

[hinckley buzzard]

Go to alpb.org/ for as recent discussion about this issue among Lutherans.