Illinois legislators again take up anti-gay adoption bill
Wed. February 1, 2012 9:34 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Springfield, IL -
Downstate Republicans have again filed legislation to allow religion based discrimination against gay and lesbian couples when it comes to foster and adoption services in Illinois.
State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville) reintroduced House Bill 3942, which would allow religious exemptions to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act in the areas of adoption and foster care.
"This is the same bill that we have been fighting for a year now," stated Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda. "It is just another attempt to codify into law the ability to discriminate against Gay people."
Under the proposed legislation, which is backed by the Catholic Church, religious agencies that are using taxpayer dollars would be allowed to exclude, and thereby discriminate against, gay and lesbian couples who wish to adopt or be foster parents to children in Illinois.
State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who first introduced The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act in March 2007, told ChicagoPride.com that "this is a reminder that we have to stay vigilant."
"Writing discrimination into Illinois law failed numerous times last year and it was rejected by the Courts as well," said Harris. "It was wrong then, and it is wrong now to require our State to discriminate against some of its citizens."
Same-sex couples were granted many of the same legal right as married couples under the civil union act enacted on June 1. A month later, Illinois ended state-funded foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities after the Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses refused to comply with the new law.
Catholic Charities of Illinois fought the state's decision, but dropped their lawsuit in November after what appeared to be a no win situation in their fight to discriminate against gay and lesbian parents.
Conservative and religious attacks to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act have continued since it became law. HB3942 marks the fifth time in a year that opponents have tried to create exemptions.
"The separation of Church and State is absolutely imperative to this argument, because these agencies are State funded," said Martinez. "They are funded with taxpayer's money, so they should have to follow the laws like every other State funded agency."
Under Kay's proposed legislation, if an agency declines an application it must provide the applicant with information on how to contact the Department of Children and Family Services to obtain information concerning other regional licensed child welfare agencies.
State Reps. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) and Paul Evans (R-O'Fallon) co-sponsored HB3942. If passed the bill would take effective immediately.
State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville) reintroduced House Bill 3942, which would allow religious exemptions to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act in the areas of adoption and foster care.
"This is the same bill that we have been fighting for a year now," stated Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda. "It is just another attempt to codify into law the ability to discriminate against Gay people."
Under the proposed legislation, which is backed by the Catholic Church, religious agencies that are using taxpayer dollars would be allowed to exclude, and thereby discriminate against, gay and lesbian couples who wish to adopt or be foster parents to children in Illinois.
State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who first introduced The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act in March 2007, told ChicagoPride.com that "this is a reminder that we have to stay vigilant."
"Writing discrimination into Illinois law failed numerous times last year and it was rejected by the Courts as well," said Harris. "It was wrong then, and it is wrong now to require our State to discriminate against some of its citizens."
Same-sex couples were granted many of the same legal right as married couples under the civil union act enacted on June 1. A month later, Illinois ended state-funded foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities after the Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville dioceses refused to comply with the new law.
Catholic Charities of Illinois fought the state's decision, but dropped their lawsuit in November after what appeared to be a no win situation in their fight to discriminate against gay and lesbian parents.
Conservative and religious attacks to the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act have continued since it became law. HB3942 marks the fifth time in a year that opponents have tried to create exemptions.
"The separation of Church and State is absolutely imperative to this argument, because these agencies are State funded," said Martinez. "They are funded with taxpayer's money, so they should have to follow the laws like every other State funded agency."
Under Kay's proposed legislation, if an agency declines an application it must provide the applicant with information on how to contact the Department of Children and Family Services to obtain information concerning other regional licensed child welfare agencies.
State Reps. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) and Paul Evans (R-O'Fallon) co-sponsored HB3942. If passed the bill would take effective immediately.