Mon. July 18, 2011
Springfield, IL -
A downstate judge has ruled in favor of Catholic Charities and ordered the state to once again refer foster kids to Catholic agencies despite their refusal to adhere to the state's new civil unions law.
Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt made the temporary ruling Monday after Catholic Charities argued the state Department of Children and Family Services violated a ruling last week by the court that required the state to keep the agencies' contracts in place as the issue is worked out in the courts.
Earlier this month, the state said it would not renew foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities because the religious-backed agencies wouldn't comply with the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.
Since the civil unions law took effect June 1, the Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses said they'll only place children with married couples, excluding gay and lesbian couples.
Rockford Catholic Charities halted its state-funded foster care and adoption services in May.
A hearing, set for mid-August, will determine if Catholic Charities will be able to keep adoption contracts, which are attached to lucrative state funding.
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