Catholic Conference Hour

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bill O'Keefe tells us about what Catholic Relief Services is doing to help embattled Christians in Iraq. Segment II: University of Notre Dame professors Nicole Garnett and Margaret (Peg) Brinig discuss their new book, "Lost Classrom, Lost Community: Catholic Schools' Importance in Urban America." Segment III: Sheila Liaugminas talks about her new book, "Non-Negotiable: Essential Principles of a Just Society and Humane Culture".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Pastor Cory Brooks of New Beginnings Church talks about taking on violence in the city. Segment II: Dawn Fitzpatrick discusses her path to becoming the new Respect Life Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Segment III: Ashley Collinstalks about #ProjectCST. Segment IV: Ashley Feasley discusses the "unaccompanied minors" crisis.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bishop Thomas Paprocki talks about the third annual Fortnight for Freedom. Segment II: Jim Geoly talks with Bob about the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the Hobby Lobby case. Segmetn III: Sate Senator Matt Murphy joins Bob to talk about the plethora of advisory referenda slated for the Nov. 4 general election.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: POLST and Senate Bill 3076. Guest: Amy Martin. Segment II: Gaming Expansion. Guest: John Kindt. Segment III: Human Trafficking. Guests: Rachel Ramirez; Leeanna Majors.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bob talks with Cara Smith, Executive Direcotr of the Department of Corrections at the Cook County Sheriff's Office about House Bill 4113. Segment II: Lisa Christiansen Gee, a policy analyst from Voices for Illinois Children, discusses the state's Earned Income Tax Credit with Bob. Segment III: Steve Colecchi, director of the Office of International Jusctice and Peace with the USCCB talks with Bob about the recent spate of bombings/killings of Christians in various north African countries.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bob and Dr. Chris Mooney, director of the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs talk about Tuesday's primary election. Segments II and III: State Flat or Progressive Tax Rate? In segment II Dan Lesser, senior attorney and Director of Economic Justice with the Sargent Shriver National Center of Poverty Law, talks about the pros of moving Illinois from a flat income tax rate to a progressive income tax rate. In segment III Diana Rickert, director of media relations for the Illinois Policy Institute talks about the cons of moving Illinois from a flat income tax rate to a progressive income tax rate.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segments I and II: Our first two guests individually present their points from opposite ends of the debate on increasing the minimum wage. Guests: Kim Bobo; Kim Clarke Maisch. Segment III: New Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life, Emily Zender; talks about the recent $2 million settlement being paid to the family of Tonya Reaves, who died in 2012 after a botched abortion at a Chicago Planned Parenthood clinic. Segment IV: Zach Wichmann talks about the introduction of gegislation appropriating $12.5 million to the textbook block grant program available to both public and non-public schools.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Zach Wichmann and Marilou Gervacio give a preview of the spring 2014 legislative session. Segment II: Jery Dykstra of Open Doors USA talks about the degrees of freedom that Christians around the world have to live out their faith. Segment III: Mark Heyrman talks about the positive impact the expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults is having on mental health services.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Mary Hallan-FioRito of the Archdiocese of Chicago kicks off the program by talking to Bob about the Chicago March for Life set for Sun., Jan. 19. Big names are scheduled for this event, including Dan Proft, Sheila Liaugminas and Congressman Dan Lipinski. Next up we have Fr. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension. Most Catholics don’t realize that Catholic Extension is a papal society, and is focused on raising awareness and resources for mission dioceses (those that can’t sustain themselves without support) throughout the United States – 46 percent of all dioceses. The Archbishop of Chicago serves as the chancellor of Catholic Extension’s board of governors. Catholic Extension is funded through private donations and its annual calendar sales, and makes more than 1,000 donations each year, totaling more than $20 million. Up next we have Todd Scribner from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Todd will talk about upcoming National Migration Week (Jan. 5-11) and the National Migration Conference set for July. Closing out the show we will have Glenn Van Cura, executive director of Catholic Charities of Joliet to talk about their Christmas programs for the needy and how it compares to years past.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Diane Doherty talks about the impact of food stamp cuts effective November 1. Segment II: Patrick Cacchione talks about Illinois POLST (Illinois Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). Segment III: Jim Geoly talks about the religious freedom concerns with Senate Bill 10, which redefines marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two persons".

Host: Bob Gilligan. First segment we talk with Brian Burch of CatholicVote.org about his organizations new initiative, CatholicVote365. Second segment is Daniel Blomberg of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who talks about the variety of cases they are handling regarding the HHS mandate. Segment three has Kathy Valente of the Illinois Family Institute who talks about Wednesday's "Defend Marriage Lobby Day".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Another Rockin' show. First up Bishop David J. Malloy of the Rockford diocese offers perspective on the war-torn middle eastern country of Syria. Second up we have Jim White, who talks about the current 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and action. Finally we have Sue Barrett and Bill Ulivieri who talk about Heather's House and the annual benefit dinner for the group Aid for Women.

Host: Bob Gilligan. It's summer, but we're not lazing it away! In segment I we tackle the Common Core and the misconceptions about it floating around. Guest: Mike Kagan. During segment II, two architects of CCI's Prison Ministry Training program join Bob to talk about the class now that it's started. Guests: Dr. Christie Billups; Fr. Chris Reuter. Segment III takes an international turn and we talk about the conditions in Syria and Egypt. Guest: Dr. Stephen Colecchi.

Host: Bob Giligan. Think we're taking it easy during the summer? Not a chance. We've got a blockbuster show! First up Ralph Rivera of Illinois Citizens for Life joins Bob to talk about the Illinois Supreme Court ruling paving the way for the state's 1995 parental notice abortion act to finally take effect. Ralph will also talk about the trend of pro-life legislation being approved by state legislatures across the country. Texas, North Carolina come to mind.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Kim Daniels, spokeswoman for the president of the USCCB, who will talk about the upcoming “Fortnight for Freedom” set to run from June 21-July 4. Jim Geoly of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella speaks about the expected U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 and the federal government’s Defense of Marriage Act. Tony Cube from the USCCB and its program Justice for Immigrants tells us about the Senate debate on comprehensive immigration reform legislation, and why USCCB is against amendments offered by Sens. Rubio, Cornyn and Hatch.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center will joins Bob to talk about the current push for comprehensive federal immigration reform. Next Margie Manczko Breen of the Respect Life Office joins Bob in the studio to talk about the verdict in the trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell. To close out the show, Dave Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, joins Bob by phone to talk about the various marriage rallies his group has been hosting in targeted legislative districts as we enter the final two weeks of the legislative session.

Host: Bob Gilligan. First up Bishop Lance Davis, Senior Pastor of the New Zion Christian Fellowship Church of dolton talks to Bob about opposing Senate Bill 10, the redefinition of marriage legislation. In the second segment, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran talks about the importance of family as he sees it in his work. In the third segment Sr. Lisa Polega talks about the need and push for federal legislation regarding immigration.

Host Bob Gilligan. Bishop Larry Trotter of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago talks with Bob Gilligan about the coalition of African-American clergy in the Chicagoland area who are opposing redefinition of marriage efforts in the Illinois Legislature. Betsy Clarke of the Juvenile Justice Initiative talks about her and her team's fight for reforms to the juvenile justice system. Mary Ann bibat who heads the Community Care Program at Catholic Charities in Chicago discusses how funding cuts are affecting the program.

Host Bob Gilligan. We’ve got another Marriage Monday show, as a House committee is set to consider redefinition of marriage legislation on Tuesday and is expected to pass it. That means Senate Bill 10 has a very good chance of going before the full House for a vote next week. First up from 9 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. is the Rev. Eugene Rivers from Boston. Rev. Rivers rose to national prominence several years ago with his successful work with gang activity. Now, he’s working to stop redefinition of marriage efforts from spreading across the country. He’ll talk about how same-sex marriage is perceived in the African American community. Second, from 9:20 a.m. to 9:40 a.m., we talk with newly elected state Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton. Rep. Ives will talk about the expected upcoming vote in the House on Senate Bill 10, which calls for redefinition of marriage. Finally, from 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m., we talk with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, founder and president of the Ruth Institute, which promotes the benefits of life-long, traditional marriage to college students.

Public Policy Issues Important to Catholics

First up, from 9 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., we have Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, who will talk about his personal support of SB 957, which would extend Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses to immigrants. Next up, from 9:20 a.m. to 9:40 a.m., we have the Archdiocese’s Chancellor, Jimmy Lago. Jim has been working with other faiths to get the Chicago City Council to reinstate the water exemption for churches and faith-based organizations. Finally, from 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m., we have CCI’s own Zach Wichmann, who heads up CCI’s Defense of Marriage Department.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Illinois bishops recently voted to support an extension of Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses to immigrants. Guest: Lawrence Benito. Segment II: Marilou Gervacio, talks about why our bishops are supporting TVDLs. Segment III: Preserving religious freedom in the face of the HHS Mandate. Guests: Christopher and Mary Ann Yep.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bishop Thomas Paprocki talks about the Illinois bishops' series of election bulletin inserts. Segment II: Jim Driscoll talks about a question on the November 6 ballot in Massachusetts that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in that state. Segment III: David Morrison talks about some interesting campaign finance tidbits in this election cycle.

Hosted by Bob Gilligan. In segment I: Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference talks about the upcoming vote for a constitutional amendment that would preserve current state law defining marriage as the union of one woman and one man. Segment II: Tom O'Brien, professor of religious studies at DePaul University, talks with Bob about Catholic Social Teaching and it's persepctive on unions. Segment III:Patrick Cacchione, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Health Association gives an update on various court cases and what the future holds for religious freedom.

In the first segment Fr. Larry Dowling joins host Bob Gilligan to talk about the deferred action program proposed by the federal administration for young, undocumented immigrants. Up next is a discussion of Catholic Social Teaching, especially the concepts of solidarity and subsidiarity. Guests are Tony Graefe and John Powers.

In segment 1 host Bob Gilligan talks with Marilou Gervacio and Fr. Chris Reuter about CCI's statewide Prison and Jail Ministry. Segment 2 is a conversation with Karen Siciliano Lucas about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that struck down most of Arizona's controversial immigration law. In segment 3 Bob talks to Jim Ennis about the 2012 Farm Bill and proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In the first segment Tom Howard from the Archdiocese's office of Peace and Justice talks about the Fortnight for Freedom, set for June 21-July 4. Bob will also talk a bit about CCI's I-CAN program. In the second segment the guest is Lindsey Artola of the government affairs team for Presence Health (the merged health system of Provena and Resurrection.) Lindsey will talk about the new charity care guidelines for hospitals approved by lawmakers this legislative session. In the third segment Tom Brejcha from the Thomas More Society talks about their possible intervention in the lawsuits brought by the ACLU and Lambda Legal against the Cook County State's Attorney's office claiming discrimination since same-sex couples were denied marriage licenses. Both the attorney general's office and the state's attorney office have stated they will not defend current state law, and will file briefs in support of the lawsuits.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Deacon Richard Hudzik talks about President Barack Obama's support of gay marriage. Segment II: Bob talks about Cardinal George's letter to priests about Catholic Identity and conscience rights being threatened by the HHS mandate. Segment III: Rev. Bob Vandenbosch talks about Senate Bill 3669 regarding polling places at churches.

Host Bob Gilligan. Guests: Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria talks about the political climate during his 10 years in Peoria. David Morrison talks about the influence of PACs and campaign contributions. Mark Deaton discusses the struggle to maintain property tax exemptions for non-profit hospitals.

Host Bob Gilligan. Guests: State Rep. Tom Morrison R-Palatine talks about House Bill 4117. John Bouman talks about Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to cut $2.7 billion from the state's Medicaid budget. Jim Geoly talks about the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court set for March 26 on the individual mandate in the federal health care reform law.

Host Bob Gilligan. Guests: State Rep. Joe Lyons, D-Chicago talks about the Ultrasound Opportunity Act, House Bill 4085. Brother William Dygert discusses an upcoming education seminar. Patrick Cacchione talks about the latest developments in the HHS mandate situation.

Host Bob Gilligan. Guests: Jim Geoly talks about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC. The justices said religious organizations qualify for a "ministerial exception" regarding employment discrimination lawsuits. Mark Fleming explores the proposed regulation from the Obama administration that would allow certain undocumented immigrants to remain in America while applying for legal status, and the feds' determination that Cook County's detention policy concerning immigrants may be illegal. David Marzahl talks about the impact of the gradual expansion of the Earned income Tax Credit.

Host Bob Gilligan. Guests: Tom Chapman; Paul Linton; Christene Dykes-Sorrells

Host Bob Gilligan: Guests: Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki. Ralph Rivera.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics

Host Bob Gilligan talks with Rev. Bob Vandenbosch about Illinois Senate Bill 1716, which would legalize "civil unions".

Host Bob Gilligan discusses the upcoming elections.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses the upcoming elections.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political issues of importance to Catholics

Host Bob Gilligan discusses political topics relevant to Catholics as well as the upcoming Catholics at the Capital event.

Host Bob Gilligan discusses the recent election results in Massachussetts as well as the upcoming Catholics At the Capital event.

Health Care Reform for the first half hour. John Carr of the USCCB, Patrick Cacchione of Illinois Catholic Healthcare Association. Fr. Pat Pollard of the National Catholic Cemeteries Association to talk about Catholic Cemeteries, the Burr Oak controversy.