Illinois

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Father Frederick Lenczycki (left) admitted to abusing more than 30 children in three states; Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Diocese of Joliet had recommended him for a transfer without disclosing allegations against the priest.

Illinois clergy sex abuse report: How bishops protected accused priests

May 26, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The report showed examples of bishops transferring accused child abusers to other parishes or dioceses while failing to make the... Read more

Virginia Roque-Fermin is charged with one felony count of arson in connection with starting a fire that caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois, May 23, 2023.

Woman arrested in connection with arson of Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Illinois

May 24, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A woman has been charged in connection with causing more than $78,000 in damages at the Shrine of Our Lady... Read more

Former congressman Dan Lipinski

Pro-life former congressman: Catholics in politics need to be ‘different’

Apr 30, 2021

A Catholic former Democratic congressman said that President Biden’s pro-abortion policies flout what it means to live as a Catholic... Read more

Rough road leading to the Illinois State Capitol Building. Springfield, Illinois.

Tell Illinois lawmakers not to junk parental notice abortion law, Catholic bishops say

Mar 17, 2021

Illinois’ requirement to notify parents of a minor who seeks an abortion is a law that helps save lives and... Read more

Poll: most Illinois voters want parental notification for abortion, but lawmakers seek repeal

Mar 16, 2021

Some Illinois lawmakers want to repeal a law requiring abortion providers to notify parents of a minor who seeks an... Read more

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Illinois church reopening restrictions 'not mandatory'

May 29, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The state of Illinois relaxed its restrictions on churches on Thursday, after Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ordered the state... Read more

Illinois governor JB Pritzker.

Illinois churches may not fully reopen for a year as White House shelves CDC plan

May 7, 2020

By Matt Hadro

The governor of Illinois has said he will continue to ban public gatherings of more than 50 people—including religious services—until... Read more

Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski.

'No higher calling': Lipinski says he is proud of pro-life record

Mar 19, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) conceded his primary race on Wednesday, saying that he stood by his pro-life principles even if... Read more

Rough road leading to the Illinois State Capitol Building. Springfield, Illinois.

Illinois bill would ban government travel to pro-life states

Sep 30, 2019

An Illinois state representative has introduced legislation to prevent government employees from traveling to states which have enacted pro-life legislation.... Read more

State Capital Building in Springfield, Illinois. Via Shutterstock

Illinois lawmakers aim to repeal parental notification for minors' abortions

Jul 8, 2019

The move follows the enactment of a state law recognizing a “fundamental right” to abortion in the state.  Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.

Illinois bishops oppose abortion law, disagree on Communion for pro-choice lawmakers

Jun 14, 2019

By Matt Hadro

While two Illinois bishops are unified in their strong opposition to the state’s new abortion law, they differ on the... Read more

J.B. Pritzker at Chi Hack Night on July 12, 2017.

Illinois governor signs ‘radical’ abortion expansion, but pro-life leaders predict backlash

Jun 13, 2019

By Kevin J. Jones

Illinois’ new abortion law is a “death penalty” for the unborn and will add to pro-life momentum across the U.S.,... Read more

Illinois state capitol building in Springfield.

Illinois bishops denounce rush to advance 'Reproductive Health Act'

May 28, 2019

The Catholic bishops of Illinois criticized a push to pass a bill enshrining abortion in state law in the final... Read more

Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski

Pro-life Democrat Lipinski faces another primary challenge

Apr 17, 2019

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), narrowly defeated challenger Marie Newman in 2018 by 2,145 votes.  He will face her again in... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Cardinal Cupich warns against 'radical' Illinois abortion bills

Mar 26, 2019

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has spoken out against a pair of Illinois abortion bills, calling them a radical and... Read more

Illinois bishops blunt in joint statement on pot proposal

Feb 5, 2019

Citing “rampant” drug use in modern society and a commitment to the common good, the six Catholic bishops of Illinois... Read more

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago. CNA file photo

Illinois AG report says dioceses failed abuse victims

Dec 19, 2018

Illinois’ attorney general released a report Wednesday outlining the early findings into an investigation into clerical sexual abuse in the... Read more

Illinois state capitol.

Satanist statue erected for the holidays in Illinois capitol

Dec 5, 2018

Between a Christmas tree and a menorah display in the Illinois state capitol, a statue from the Satanic Temple is... Read more

Bishops object as Illinois governor pushes to reinstate death penalty

May 15, 2018

The Catholic Conference of Illinois decried the governor’s call to re-establish the death penalty, which has not been used in... Read more

Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski.

Pro-life Democrat Lipinski survives primary challenge

Mar 21, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), one of the few remaining pro-life Democrats, narrowly won the Democratic primary election Tuesday night for... Read more