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UPDATE
Until Further Notice:
Limiting Gatherings at the Illinois State Capitol Building
As you are aware, the coronavirus poses a serious threat to the public health and welfare. We are seeking your assistance in our efforts to limit the possibilities for the transmission of this disease. Permits for all scheduled tours of the Capitol Building and all events scheduled to take place at the Capitol Building have been cancelled. However, we are aware that organizations sometimes make plans to meet at the Capitol without going through the formality of contacting our office for an event permit. If any of your clients have scheduled any lobbying days or other events at the Capitol Building, please contact them and tell them that all such events at the Capitol Building have been cancelled, and that this cancellation extends to their events as well. We appreciate your cooperation in our efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
As a result of this, all Life Advocacy Days have been cancelled for the time being, including the Diocese of Rockford Life Advocacy Day scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
We encourage everyone to join the Illinois Catholic Advocacy Network (I-CAN) to receive future notifications and Action Alerts issued by the Catholic Conference of Illinois.
The Life & Family Evangelization Office will be contacting each of the individuals who have registered for this event to notify them of this cancellation. Updated information has also been posted on the event webpage.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, as many of your bulletins have already gone to print. Thank you for your continued assistance.
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Dear Friends,
Please see the following message from the Catholic Conference of Illinois regarding Illinois' Parental Notification of Abortion law, and consider joining us in Springfield for the Diocese of Rockford
Life Advocacy Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.MESSAGE FROM THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF IL
As the March 17 primary Election Day in Illinois draws near, so does the expected challenge of keeping Illinois' parental notice of abortion law in place.
News of an attempt to repeal the current law has been quiet so far during the spring legislative session. Several state lawmakers have opponents in the primary election, so most controversial legislation has been held at bay, allowing incumbent legislators to devote energy to their campaigns.
The mood is expected to change after March 17, and we will be prepared. The Catholic Conference of Illinois is partnering with the six dioceses in the state to offer Life Advocacy Days, allowing pro-life pilgrims to travel to the Illinois Capitol to lobby their lawmakers on the benefits of the current law.
The current law requires only that a parent or legal guardian be notified when a minor seeks an abortion. It does not require consent. The law also provides for exceptions and includes a judicial waiver for those children who have been physically or sexually abused.
Every state bordering Illinois – Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Iowa – require at least parental notification. The Illinois Supreme Court (unanimously) and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals have both found the law to be constitutional.
Three advocacy days will be offered in March and April, with two dioceses teaming up for each day. Since the schedule of events will vary with each day, please contact your diocesan Respect Life office on how to sign up for its trip to Springfield.
Wed., March 18, 2020 Belleville diocese (618-722-5048) and Sprinfield diocese(217-698-8500, ext. 161)
Wed., March 25, 2020: Joiet diocese (815-221-6100) and Rockford diocese (815-399-4300)
Wed., April 1, 2020: Archdiocese of Chicago (312-534-5355) Peroria diocese (309-671-1550)
Last year, Senate Bill 1594, which repeals the current parental notice law, easily passed the Senate Public Health Committee but was never called for a vote on the Senate floor. SB 1594 is currently in the Assignments Committee, which is where all Senate bills start. However, SB 1594 can pop out onto the Senate floor at any time.
House Bill 2467 also calls for the repeal of parental notice and is currently in the House Rules Committee, which is where all House bills start. It could be assigned to a committee to be heard at any time.
However, as we know from past experience, practically any bill can be amended at a moment's notice to contain any language, so don't get too attached to any bill numbers.
Thank you for your support.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois