Catholic Conference Hour

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, which seeks to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice, talks about the potential for ending the federal death penalty under President Joe Biden, who is the first sitting U.S. president to openly oppose the death penalty. Segment II: Anthony Holter, president of Empower Illinois, the scholarship-granting organization for the Tax Credit Scholarship program used by most Catholic schools in Illinois, discusses the organization’s recently released annual report. Segment III: Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Teutopolis, talks about House Bill 697, which calls for a 50% income tax credit on contributions to pregnancy resource centers. Segment IV: Geno Fernandez, president of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s school board, talks about raising money for the Archdiocese’s $1.4 million Gratitude Fund, which distributed $250 to full-time employees in Archdiocesan schools and $100 to part-time employees as a thank-you for their efforts toward in-person learning during the pandemic.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jennifer Daniels, USCCB associate director for public policy, talks to Bob about what aid is available to Catholic schools in the recent stimulus package passed by Congress. Segment II: Justin Lombardo, chief human resources and staff development officer for the Archdiocese of Chicago , on the success of Archdiocesan schools to hold in-person classes during the pandemic. Segment III: Abe Scarr, state director of Illinois PIRG, on the recent passage of the Predatory Loan Prevention Act during an intense lame-duck sesson.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Greg Schleppenbach, associate director of pro-life activities at the USCCB, talks about the moral guidance on COVID-19 vaccines recently released by the USCCB. Segment II: Kevin Grillot, executive director of weDignify and is heading up next month's March for Life Chicago, discusses taking the March on a Midwest tour that culminates in Chicago on January 23. Segment III: Louis Jones, a resident of the Diocese of Belleville, was recently named the 2020 winner of USCCB's Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award for his work with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the bishops' anti-poverty initiative. Segment IV: Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, talks about his 10 years at the social service agency before he leavesw on February 1.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Ryan Burge, assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, talks about how Catholics voted in the 2020 presidential election. Segment II: Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois, Springfield, tallied the dizzying amount of money spent on the "fair tax" ballot initiative, the retention bid of an Illinois Supreme Court justice, and targeted legislative races. Segment III: David Spotanski, COO for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and right-hand man for Archbishop Wilton Gregory during his time in Belleville and Atlanta, talks about the Archbishop's elevation to America's first African-American cardinal later this month. Segment IV: Fr. Mike Meany, pastor at St. John Brebeuf in Niles, talks about the Archdiocese's online photo exhibit honoring his late uncle, WWII chaplain Fr. John Beyenka for Chicago.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, talks about what the Clean Energy Jobs Act will look like after incorporating Gov. J.B. Pritzker's principles for clean energy legislation and when we should look for the bill to be pushed in the Illinois Legislature. Segment II: Chris Ross, a lawyer who works on social policy for Catholic Charities USA, discusses the historically-low refugee cap of 15,000 set by the federal government for the new federal fiscal year that started October 1. Segment III: Pat Winn, director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford, talks about his nine years at the helm of the social services agency as he prepares to retire. Segment IV: Fr. Mike Bradley, resident priest at St. Gertrude's parish in Chicago and a canon lawyer who works for the Archdiocese's tribunal, tells of how he ran a neighborhood version of the Chicago Marathon in his Edgewater neighborhood to raise money for the parish's Heart to Heart Ministry for senior citizens.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Gloria Purvis, co-host of EWTN Radio's Morning Glory Show, is calling on peole of all faiths -- and especially Catholics -- to confront the sin of racism in the aftermath of George Floyd's death. Segment II: State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, discusses the efforts of the Illinois Legislature's Black Caucus to craft comprehensive legislation targeting systemic racism slated to be unveiled during the six-day fall veto session set for late November and early December. Segment III: Sr. Stephanie Baliga, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist of Chicago who ministers from the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in Chicago,ran a marathon on a treadmill in late August to raise funds for the Mission. Segment IV: Molly Perry, Aid for Women board member, talks about the organization's virtual annual benefit dinner on October 7 featuring retired Super-Bowl champion Benjamin Watson as the keynote speaker.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Michael Boyle, new superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Joliet diocese, talks about his new role. Segment II: Matt Dietrich, spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections, talks about vote-by-mail for the Nov. 3, 2020 election. Segment III: Tony Cube of the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants Campaign talks about the federal government's recent changes to DACA after losing an effort to rescind the program following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Segment IV: Alex Jones, co-founder and CEO of the Hallow Catholic meditation and prayer app, talks about the origin of the app and how it just reached the status of #1 Catholic app.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Ashley Feasley, director of policy for the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services, joins Bob to talk about the recent U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 ruling that the Trump administration's decision to end the DACA program safeguarding young undocumented immigrants from deportation was "arbitrary and capricious." Segment II: Jim Geoly, partner with the Chicago law firm of Burke, Warren, McKay and Serritella, talks about a recent U.S. Supreme Court case and its impact on religious freedom and employment discrimination. Segment III: Jim Rigg, superintendent for the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, talks about the recently issued guidelines for reopening Catholic schools in the fall amid the ongoing pandemic.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Danielle Brown, associate director for USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, talks to Bob about the relevance of the 2018 pastoral letter on racism, "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love." Segment II: Dan Philpott, professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, joins Bob to talk about the executive order advancing international religious freedom recently signed by President Donald Trump. Segment III: Bishop Ron Hicks, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, joins Bob to talk about the reopening of churches for public Mass. Segment IV: Pete Newburn, ecumenical officer for the Diocese of Joliet, talks to Bob about the ecumenical virtual rally for racial justice hosted by Bishop Pates and other faith and civic leaders on Saturday.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Coadjutor Bishop-elect Lou Tylka talks about his appointment a week to the Diocese of Peoria. Segment II: Kathleen Stauber and Nancy Lou Kelly discuss a new Archdiocese of Chicago initiative, "A Call to Prayer" phone service. Segment III: Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, talks about how his agency had adapted to serving clients during the pandemic. Geoff Rogers, producer of the film "Blind Eyes Opened" discusses how his film offers an authentic look at the scourge of human trafficking from the perspective of survivor-victims.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bob talks to bishop-elect Michael McGovern about his recent appointment to the diocese of Belleville. Segment II: Lauren McCormack, executive director of the USCCB's office of government relations, talks to Bob about the recent CARES Act and it's provisions for faith-based entities. Segment III: Jennifer Junis, RN, MSN, discusses OSF HealthCare's partnership with the state of Illinois with the Pandemic Health Worker Program (PHWP). Segment IV: Steve Roach, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield, talks with Bob about the agency's free, new COPE line, in which therapists will listen to and talk with residents of the 28-county diocese who are stressed out because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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