Catholic Conference Hour

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bob reflects on the latest developments in regards to the corona virus. Segment II: Bishop Richard Pates, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Joliet, talks about stepping in for Bishop R. Daniel Conlon while he is on medical leave. Segment III: Associate Judge Tom Donnelly of the Circuit Court of Cook County talks about the importance of establishing privilege for restorative justice practices in House Bill 4295. Segment IV: Bob examines the upcoming primary election races, especially the several contested sate and federal races.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bishop David J. Malloy of the Diocese of Rockford joins Bob to talk about his new role since November as the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace. Segment II: Nicole Stelle Garnett, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, joins Bob to talk about Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, a case regarding tax credits for scholarships that was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last month. Segment III: Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, the scholarship-granting organization in charge of most of the Tax Credit Scholarships granted to students attending Catholic schools throughout the state, joins Bob to talk about the organization's Year 2 report.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jill Rauh from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops talks about the USCCB's "Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate" initiative for the 2020 election year. Segment II: State Representative La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, talks about House Bill 182 which would limit the use of solitary confinement in state prisons to no more than 10 consecutive days and no more than 10 days in a 6-month period. Segment III: Marshan Allen with Chicago-based Restore Justice Illinois, talks about House Bill 1615, which would limit the state's current felony-murder charge. Segment IV: Shana Crews, Illinois goverment relations director for the American Cancer Society's Action Network, discusses the current state of vaping and flavored tobacco in Illinois.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Claire Culwell, keynote speaker for the March for Life Chicago on Saturday, January 11, 2020, joins Bob to talk about her experience of meeting her birth mother in 2009, who told her she survived the surgical abortion that took the life of her twin brother. Segment II: Meghan Goodwin of the USCCB and Leila Nimatallah of Catholic Relief Services join Bob to talk about the Global Child Thrive Act currently before Congress. Segment III: Deacon Alfred Coleman, director of Zacchaeus House, talks about the ministry that offers a safe place for single, homeless men looking for a fresh start. Segment IV: Christopher Orlet talks about the experience of the emotional journey of adopting a newborn girl who is now 5 years old.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Richard Mantoan, a dentist who owns Southland Smiles in Flossmoor, talks about the complaint he filed against the Reproductive Health Act with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Segment II: Jackie Ingram and Janice Oda Gray, parishioners at St. Agatha's parish on Chicago's west side, talk about their efforts to bring mental health services to the community in the form of the recently-opened Encompassing Center. Segment III: Kayla Jacobs, director of programs for the new Laudato Si' Ministries of the Joliet diocese, talks about the new ministry and what she hopes to accomplish. Segment IV: Bonnie Engstrom, a resident of the Peoria diocese, wrote "61 Minutes to a Miracle to document the experience of her newborn son surviving over an hour without a heartbeat or breathing. Bonnie, family and friends prayed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen for her son's healing, and he is now a normal 9-year-old. The miracle of his healing was approved by the Vatican, and Sheen is expected to be canonized sometime soon.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Barbara Lyons of the Patients' Rights Action Fund joins Bob to talk about the National Council on Disability's recent report on assisted suicide. Segment II: Jim Geoly, partner at the Chicago law firm of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella, joins Bob to talk about the LGBTQ discrimination cases argued a couple of weeks ago in front of the U.S. Supreme Court that could affect religious freedom concerns. Segment III: Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinolis Municipal League, joins Bob to talk about the initiative to consolidate the more than 650 downstate and suburban public safety (police and firefighter) pension funds. Segment IV: Rebecca Anzel, a journalist with Capitol News Illinois, joins Bob to give a preview of what promises to ben an action-packed fall legislative veto session.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Megan Gilbert with Catholic Relief Services talks about the differences among refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants. Segment II: Sr. Jess Lambert talks discusses with Bob how she gave up a lucrative career in engineering to pursue a vocation. Segment III: Frances Jimenez with Aid for Women promotes the organization's upcoming annual dinner on September 25. Segment IV: Sr. Rosemary Connely talks with Bob about her 50th anniversary as the leader of Misericordia.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. MaryClare Birmingham, executive director of the Kolbe House jail ministry, talks about the crucial importance of the first 72 hours after an inmate's release. Segment II: Sr. JoAnn Persch, a Sister of Mercy, talks to Bob about her recent arrest in D.C. during the Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children. Segment III: Natalie Jackson, research director for Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) discusses the organization's report released last week on American opinions regarding abortion and contraception.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Les Bernal, national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, joins Bob to talk about the effects expected from the massive expansion of gaming that is coming to Illinois. Segment II: Dr. Paul Berkowitz and Dennis Ryan talk with Bob about Holy Cross's grand opening of a 24-hour Crisis Stabilization Unit. Segment III: Sr. Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA discusses the agency's humanitarian aid to sites near the border to deal with the larger-than-usual influx of migrants.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Juan Rangel with Empower Illinois talks to Bob about the complete funding of the Tax Credit Scholarships to most of the Catholic Schools in Illinois despite earlier threats to it. Segment II: Pat Winn with Catholic Charities of the Rockford diocese joins Bob to discuss the scourge of human trafficking and how his organization is fighting it on a county-by-county basis. Segment III: Ralph Rivera, lobbyist for Illinois Right to Life, talks about the final version of the "Reproductive Health Act" that was signed into law last week by Gov. Pritzker.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Greg Schleppenbach, associate director of pro-life activities at the USCCB, talks to Bob about conscience protections afforded by new rules recently issued by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Segment II: Stanley Carlson-Thies, senior director of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, joins Bob to discuss the religious freedom concerns of the Equality Act which amends the federal Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Segment III: Andy Duran, executive director of the Lake Forest-based LEAD, talks to Bob about the progress of marijuana legalization at the state capitol. LEAD is a substance abuse prevention organization that opposes the legalization of marijuan

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, joins Bob to talk about the fall-out from that state's passage of extreme abortion legislation in January. Segment II: Jenn Briemann, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, talks to Bob about how physician-assisted suicide legislation suddenlyl took off this spring. Segment III: Robert McCoppin, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune who coverd marijuana and it's legalization efforts, joins Bob to talk about how things are going in Illinoiis. Segment IV: Michael O'Rourke, policy advisor with the U.S. Conference of Cathollic Bishops, talks to Bob about federal criminal justice reforms embodied in the First Step Act.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Paul Linton, a nationally-known attorney on abortion law, talks about abortion legislation that is pending before the Illinois legislature. Segment II: Melissa Hastings of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joins Bob to talk about potential federal legislation that would help Dreamers and those individuals with Temporary Protected Status. Segment III: Don Carlson of Illinois People's Action joins Bob to talk about House Bill 2468, which would cap exorbitant rates on car title loans.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Peter Steinfels, former editor of Commonweal magazine and a religion reporter for the New York Times, joins Bob to talk about the essay he wrote a few weeks ago in which he extensively examined the Pennsylvania grand jury report. Segment II: Clarke Forsythe, general counsel of Americans United for Life, joins Bob to talk about two abortion bills introduced this week: one that would repeal Illinois' parental notification law, and the other that would repeal the state's current law regulating abortion. Segment III: Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria, joins Bob to talk about Senate Bill 156, which would allow inmates in the state's prisons access to online job sites so they can apply for jobs for when they are released. Segment IV: Kris Cortes, board memeber of Aid for Women, joins Bob to talk about the organization's new location in Flossmoor.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Alex Berenson joins Bob to talk about his just-released book, "Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness and Violence." Segment II: Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, talks to Bob about the just-opened application process for Year 2 of the Tax Credit Scholarship program. Segment III: Kevin Appleby, senior director for the Center for Migration Studies, joins Bob to offer some clarity on what is really happening with immigrants and refugees along the border with Mexico. Segment IV: Rep. Jeanne Ivestalks to Bob about her tenure in the Illinois Legislature and the final email she sent out to her constituents about the state's dire financial situation.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Ryan Bomberger, founder of the Radiance Foundation, joins Bob to talk about the March for Life Chicago on Sunday, January 13. Segment II: Mike Stark talks aout the recenly released documentary, "A Glorius Life: Cardinal Francis George". Segment III: Chicago Catholic editor Joyce Duriga talks about her recently published biography of Fr. Augustus Tolton, "Augustus Tolton: The Church is the True Liberator".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The impact of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Guests: Jon Priest; Laura Garcia. Segment II: Re-entry house for women released from prison at St. Thaddeus Church in Joliet. Guest: Glenn Van Cura. Segment III: Retiring State Senator Bill Haine, D-Alton.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Manya Brachear, religion reporter for the Chicago Tribune, talks to Bob about her career here in Chicago as she moves onto bigger things on the East Coast. Segment II: Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, joins Bob to talk about a new abortion clinic that just opened in Skokie under the name of Carafem. Segment III: Ryan Gruenenfelder, director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Illinois joins Bob in talking about a recent public opinion poll conducted for the over-50 crowd. Segment IV: Melissa Hastings, policy advisor for the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services, talks to Bob about a proposed federal change in the "public charge" rule.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Matt Dietrich with the Illinois State Board of Elections joins Bob to talk about election security after last year's hacking of the agency's database. Segment II: Bob talks with Anthony Granado with the USCCB's Office of Domestic Social Development about the status of the food stamp program. Segment III: Joyce Duriga, editor of the Chicago Catholic, talks about her recent pigrimage to Lourdes with St. John Berchmans parish in Chicago.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Rob Griffin, associate director of research at the Washington, D.C.-based Public Religion Research Institute joins Bob to talk about recent results of a public opinion poll indicating the tide seems to be turning in favor of religious freedom.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jim Geoly of the law firm of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella in Chicago joins Bob to talk about the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Segment II: State Senator Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, talks to Bob about the impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding crisis pregnancy centers and how it may set a precedent for a similar Illinois case currently in the courts. Segment III: Greg Bishop, a journalist for the Illinois News Network, joins Bob to talk about a recent story he did on a 274% increase in the number of taxpayer-funded abortions for the first six months of 2018 as compared to the same time frame in 2017. Segment IV: Mary Kate Knorr, the new executive director of Illinois Right to Life, joins Bob to talk about her new role.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Some clarity on the issue of family separation, unaccompanied minors, and the so-called "lost" children. Guest: Ashley Feasley. Segment II: The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd., v. Colorado Civil Rights Commision. Guest: Rick Garnett. Segment III: The recent CDC report on an increased suicide rate across the country. Guest: Dr. Frances Broghammer. Segment IV: Fr. Matt O'Donnell talks about his work that garnered him the 2018 CCHD Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Robert Dunham from the Death Penalty Information Center talks about Gov. Rauner's call for the death penalty to be reinstated for mass murderers and cop killers. Segment II: Greg Schleppenbach from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops talks about a proposed rule change that would drop a requirement that Title X funding recipients must provide abortion counselling to patients. Segment III: Hillary Bynes with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses a current U.S. Supreme Court case concerning a California law that requires crisis pregnancy centers to post notices that women can get information on free or low-cost abortions from the state. Segment IV: Lou Slapshak, a lay Catholic in the Belleville diocese, talks about an organization called Our Brothers' Keepers.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sister Jean Schmidt talks about her recent international celebrity status. Segment II: Bishop Joseph Perry discusses the canonization cause for Fr. Augustus Tolton. Segment III: Don Carlson joins Bob to talk about legislation that would cap car title loan interest at 36%. Segment IV: Jennifer Colins talks about the Millenial Conference this Tuesday.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, talks about the races in Tuesday's primary election. Segment II: Fr. David Kelly of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation discusses restorative justice hubs and his May 2nd fundraiser. Segment III: Anthony Holter, managing partner and Empower Illinois, talks about the Tax Credit Scholarships and Catholic Schools. Segment IV: Jason Welch, the boys' basketball coach at Bloomington Central Catholic High School, talks with Bob about a spontaneous show of faith at a tournament game last week that has gone viral.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington talks about Senate Bill 2236 which seeks to undo the new Tax Credit Scholarship program by making it part of the annual budget process. Segment II: Kris Cortes from Flossmoor joins the show to talk about the new Planned Parenthood clinic that has opened in her community. Segment III: Fr. Corey Brost and Viatorian Brother Michael Gosch discuss the Viator House of Hospitality in Des Plaines which houses 20 young men who came to the United States seeking asylum. Segment IV: Kerry Lester talks about her new book, "No, My Place," which profiles women across Illinois who work in politics who have endured sexual harrassment on the job -- including herself.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: John O'Connor, a political writer for the Associated Press at the Illinois state capitol, joins Bob to give a preview of the upcoming spring session that is slated to begin when the Illinois House returns on January 23. Segment II: Lucas Swanepoel, Vice-President of Social Policy at Catholic Charities USA, joins Bob to talk about the importance of reauthorizing CHIP. Segment III: Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer, president and founder of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, joins Bob to talk about physician-assisted suicide. Segment IV: Ann Grelecki and Mary Ann Bibat with Catholic Charities of Chicago, join Bob to talk about the current state of the Community Care Program, which allows senior citizens to stay in their own homes, retain their independence, and join with others to ward off isolation.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Nate Kellum, chief counsel for the Memphis-based Center for Religious Expression, joins Bob to talk about the amicus brief he filed in support of the Colorado cake baker at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case that was argued a couple of weeks ago. Segment II: Ramona Trevino, keynote speaker for the March for Life Chicago-2017, talks to Bob about her experiences as the manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion-referral facility in Sherman, Texas. Segment III: Luke Niforatos, special assistant for policy at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), joins Bob to talk about the organization founded by former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy and conservative journalist David Frum and the work the organization does.

Host: Mary Massingale. Segment I: Dan Lesser from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago talks about the tax reform bills debated in Congress. Segment II: Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Chicago Catholic schools, gives an update on outreach efforts his office is making to inform low-income to working-class students and their families of the availability of the Tax Credit Scholarship. Segment III: Fr. Larry Dowling of St. Agatha Parishtalks about his involvement with The News School and what it does for high school students in the neighborhood. Segment IV: Marie Jochum of Catholic Charities of Chicago talks about that agencies' "Celebration of Giving" that allows individuals to sponsor low-income families for Christmas gifts and provide toys for low-income children.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The political fallout from Governor Bruce Rauner signing House Bill 40. Guest: Jak Tichenor. Segment II: The latest on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Guest: Tony Cube. Segment III: Joyce Duriga, editor of the Chicago Catholic, talks about her new book - "Helen Prejean: Death Row's Nun." Segment IV: McHenry County nonprofit organization Rest In His Arms. Guest: Susan Walker.

Host: Mary Massingale. Sarah Brune, Executive Director for the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, joins Mary to talk about the large number of both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers who have chosen to retire when their terms expire in January 2018. Segment II: Greg Dolan, associate director for public policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about how potential federal tax credits would work with the hoped-for Scholarship Tax Credit in Illinois. Thomas Olp, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, joins Bob to talk about that law firm's next step in trying to burst the city of Chicago's bubble zone. Segment IV: Sue Barrett, executive director of Aid for Women, talks about the organizations annual dinner on Thursday, September 14 at the Union League Club.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Recapping the budget agreement and income tax increase and what's up with Senate Bill 1, the education funding reform bill. Guest: Jak Tichenor. Segment II: Dr. Jim Rigg joins Bob to talk about the scholarship tax credit that is being lobbied to get into Senate Bill 1. Segment III: Jim Geoly talks about the recent Supreme Court 7-2 decision in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc v. Comer, which is being hailed by the USCCB as a "landmark victory for religious freedom". Segment IV: John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, joins Bob to talk about the case of Charlie Gard, the 11-month old boy in England.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Brian Callister, an internal medicine specialist located in Reno, Nevada, joins Bob to talk about the video he recently did for the Patient's Rights Action Fund, an organization that lobbies against physician-assisted suicide. Segment II: Monsignor Pat Pollard joins Bob to talk about the unique cemetery ministry as he approaches retirement on June 30. Segment III: Rachel Yarch, a partner with the downtown Chicago law office of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella, joins Bob to talk about a recent unanimous U.S. Supremen Court ruling that holds the faith-based hospital pension plans are covered by the "church plan" exemption under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon joins Bob to talk about House Bill 40, which was passed by the Senate. Governor Rauner has promised to veto the legislation, but Senate leadership has used a procedural move to keep the bill in the Senate. Segment II: Hillary Byrnes joins Bob to talk about the religious freedom exectutive order that President Donald Trump recently signed. Segment III: Sam Tuttle talks about House Bill 3142, which would "ban the box"-the question box on college admisstions applications that asks about criminal history. Segment IV: Sue Barrett joins Bob to talk about Aid for Women's upcoming June 10 fundraiser, "A Day at the Races".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Greg Dolan with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joins Bob to talk about what the Trump administration means for Catholic Education. Segment II: Fr. Tom Walsh, pastor of St. Martin de Porres parish in Chicago's Austin neighborhood talks with Bob about Cardinal Cupich's new anti-violence initiative announced last week. Segment III: Kate Kuhn, assistant director of Catholic Charities of Chicago's refugee resettlment program discusses the program and Catholic Charities' need to raise $250,000 by July 1 to continue the program.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Carol Keehan, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, joins Bob to talk about the House GOP's replacement for Obamacare, the American Health Care Act. Segment II: State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, joins Bob to talk about House Bill 2647, which would boost services for veterans in an effort to prevent suicide. Segment III: Sue Barrett, executive director Aid for Women joins Bob for an update about their case against the state and Senate Bill 1564. Segment IV: Alexandra Fedosenko, who heads up the Respect Life Office in the Joliet Diocese, joins Bob to talk about two upcoming "Life Advocacy Days" for lay Catholics to lobby their state House Representative against House Bill 40.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Cardinal Blase Cupich joined Bob to discuss Illinois House Bill 40 which would allow state funding to pay for elective abortions for Medicaid participants and state employees, and also the potential crackdown on undocumented immigrantsby the Department of Homeland Security. Segment II: State Rep. David Harris, R-Mount Prospect, joings Bob to talk about the Earned Income Credit. Segment III: State Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Red Bud, talks with Bob about House Bill 2884, which allows Illinois residents to buy "In God We Trust" decals for their licence plates.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Joe Scheidler joins Bob to talk about his recently-released memoir, "Racketeer for Life." Segment II: Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry joins Bob to talk about the most recent step in the canonization process of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African-American priest in the United States. Segment III: Michael New talks about a September study he wrote that analyzed the impact of the federal Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal Medicaid dollars to pay for abortions. Segment IV: Senator Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, talks to Bob about HOOT, the state Hotel Operator's Occupation Tax, and it's effect on religious retreat houses.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bill O'Keefe with CRS talks about Aleppo and CRS efforts to help the war-torn city. Segment II: State Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, talks about the potential for culture wars returning to the Illinois legislature as a pushback response to any potential success at the federal level against abortion. Segment III: Attorney Mary McWilliams talks about the need for advance directives and CCI's new publication, "Encouraging End-of-Life Conversations: A Catholic Perspective on Advance Directives. Segment IV: The 2017 Chicago March for Life on January 15. Guests: Kevin Grillot; Dawn Fitzpatrick

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Joyce Duriga, Editor of the Cxatholic New World, talks to Bob from Romew about the weekend festivities which were highlighted by Archbisihop Cupich's elevation to cardinal. Segment II: Bob talks about the recent election results. Segment III: Fr. Burke Masters, vocations director for the Joliet Diocese, talks about serving as chaplain to the Chicago Cubs. Segment IV: Jennifer Collins talks about their priestly take-off of James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke."

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Faithful Citizenship in light of this very challenging presidential election. Guest: Dr. Jonathan Reyes. Segment II: Illinois Election Data, a website that compiles and reports on money being spent on Illinois campaigns. Guest: Scott Kennedy. Segment III: Senate Bill 3368, which would streamline the process of just-released inmates to get a state ID card. Guest: State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago. Segment IV: Partnership between the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Art Institute to create a special Art Tour to celebrate the Year of Mercy. Guest: Elizabeth "Beth" White.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Illinois Catholic Health Association Executive Director Patrick Cacchione address the controversy over Senate Bill 1564, which modifies Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Segment II: Sr. Ann Scholz, SSND, Director for Social Mission of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, talks about the letters the organization sent to the presidential candidates, their running mates and their party chairs asking for civil discourse as we approach the November 8 election. Segment III: Jim Ennis, Executive Director of Catholic Rural Life, talks to Bob about the Catholic perspective on a recent 4-part investigative series in the Chicago Tribune about mega-hog farms in downstate Illinois. Segment IV: Bryant Jackson-Green, a criminal justice policy analyst with the Illinois Policy Institute, joins Bob to talk about a recent public opinion poll commissioned by IPI that shows the public wants bold reform of the state's criminal justice system. Segment V: Pat Shehorn, board member of Aid for Women, talks about the organizations annual dinner on Wednesday, September 21 at the Union League Club.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Discussing the recent rash of voilence and shootings in Chicago and across the nation. Guest: Fr. Tom Walsh. Segment II; Pilot Program for a Restorative Justice Community Court. Segment III: What the stopgap Illinois budget really means for Catholic Charities and other social service providers. Guest: Stephanie Murray. Segment IV: Illinois Right to Life Barnyard Bash. Guest: Regina D'Amico.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Cathy Ryan lf Maryville Academy joins Bob to talk about Maryville's new direction. Segment II: Ned Dolesji of the California Catholic Conference joins Bob to discuss California's new physician-assisted suicide law. Segment III; David Yepsen with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University joins Bob to talk about the new report by the institute that compiles results from it's public opinion polls over the past nine years. Segment IV: Greg Schleppenbach, new Director of Pro-life Activites at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about taking over for Richard Doerflinger who has retired.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The Independent Maps Coalition. Guests: Cynthia Canary. Segment II: Senate Bill 2370. Guest: Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, D-Chicago. Segment III: "Church Madness". Guest: Patrick Murray. Segment IV: Social Action Summer Institute. Guest: Joanna Arellano.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Rosemary Connelly and Scott Mendel join Bob to talk about state legislation that would create a special state license to oversee the coninuum of care for the developmentally disabled. Segment II: State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Westmont) talks about the extension of the All Kids health insurance plan to 2019. Segment III: State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) discusses House Bill 5973 which would make it easier for ex-offenders to get occupational licenses unless their crime was connected to the profession. Segment IV: Ralph Rivera joins Bob to talk about House bill 4013, which would allow taxpayer money to be used for elective abortions.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jim Geoly gives a brief update on the Little Sisters of the Poor HHS mandate case that will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. Segment II: Fr. Dave Kelly of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation talks about his work in restorative justice. Segment III: Andrew Walther discusses the Knights of Columbus' recent report documenting instances of genocide against Christians by ISIS in the Middle East. Segment IV: Michael Josephson talks about civility in politics.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Monsignor Mike Boland talks about the dire straits the social services arm of the Catholic Church finds itself in because of the state budget impasse. Segment II: Dr. Richard Dye discusses a report released on February 15 outlining the impact of operating without a state budget at the halfway point of the current fiscal year. Segment III: John Maki offers his perspective on the recommendations issued in December by the Illinois Commision on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. Segment IV: Eleanore Strong joins Bob to talk about the Chicago chapter of Young Catholic Professionals.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Robert Sawick joins Bob to talk about paliative care. Segment II: Tony Cube discusses immigration issues. Segment III: Dr. Rodney Starktalks about his new book, "The Triumph of Faith".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Emily Miller joins Bob to give an overview of the state budget impasse as we approach the end of the calendar year. Segment II: Jim Finnegan talks about his organization, American Nativity Scene. Segment III: Mike O'Neill discusses how his website, MiracleHunter.com, was featured in the December cover story of National Geographic on the Virgin Mary. Segment IV: Emily Zender talks about the upcoming March for Life in Chicago.