Written by Don Byrd
A new law in Illinois would leave Catholic Charities in violation of discrimination provisions of their agreement with the state for refusing to place foster children with same-sex couples. The religious organization filed suit in an effort to regain their adoption services contract after the state declined renewal, but a judge late last week ruled against them.
[Judge John] Schmidt wrote in his ruling released Thursday that the longevity of the relationship between the state and Catholic Charities in Joliet, Peoria, Springfield and Belleville did not entitle them to automatic renewal of their contracts.
“No citizen has a recognized legal right to a contract with the government,” Schmidt wrote.
The group plans to appeal:
“There’s a lot to argue about here,” [attorney Tom] Brejcha said. “The exercise of religion can not be substantially burdened. … That alone could carry the case for Catholic Charities. A lot of these people involved feel they are compelled by their faith. … The burden is pretty substantial.”
