Catholic Conference of Illinois

10/15/2026

Join Catholic Theological Union on November 15 for its Sunday Series program, "Faith, Conscience, and Care at the End of Life: Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim Perspectives in a Changing Illinois Landscape."

This timely interreligious and interdisciplinary conversation will explore questions of human dignity, conscience, medical responsibility, and compassionate care at the end of life, bringing together diverse faith traditions and perspectives from medicine, law, ethics, and pastoral practice. Together, panelists will consider how we can honor human dignity and accompany one another faithfully through life’s most difficult decisions.

Register at the link below:

As Illinois enters a new era in end-of-life care, profound questions about life, death, human dignity, conscience, suffering, and medical responsibility are moving from the legislature into our hospitals, faith […]

10/13/2026

Catholic and Evangelical Leaders Unite in Call for Compassionate Immigration Reform

“There is much that can be done to avoid the rupturing of our families and communities brought about by indiscriminate and aggressive enforcement actions,” said Bishop Brendan Cahill and Reverend Walter Kim in an ecumenical statement released today.

Bishop Cahill serves as the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration and Reverend Kim as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Together, they lead the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration (ECDI) as its co-chairs.

Read the full release at: https://ow.ly/29mN50ZXgTC

10/13/2026

10/06/2026

BISHOP TROTTER TO LEAD OVER 500 SOUTHSIDE RESIDENTS, ILLINOIS FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY WILL PUBLICLY URGE GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO OPT ILLINOIS INTO FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

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BISHOP TROTTER TO LEAD OVER 500 SOUTHSIDE RESIDENTS, ILLINOIS FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY WILL PUBLICLY URGE GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO OPT ILLINOIS INTO FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

10/02/2026

CCI Statement on New rules clear the way for Governor Pritzker to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program in Illinois:

The Catholic Conference of Illinois urges the Governor to act swiftly to benefit nearly every student in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- With U.S. Treasury’s announcement yesterday that it has filed the necessary rules to implement the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program, the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI) urges Governor J.B. Pritzker to opt into the program immediately.

By choosing to opt-in, Governor Pritzker’s action will permit Illinois taxpayers to donate funds to benefit Illinois students starting in 2027. If Governor Pritzker does not opt in, Illinois taxpayers can still take advantage of the federal tax credit, but will only be able to direct funds to students in 30 other states that have already opted-in.

Federal law requires each Governor to decide if their respective state will participate in the program. Governor Pritzker has stated that he has been waiting to make his decision until the federal rules were finalized. With yesterday’s announcement, it is now time for Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program to provide new resources to our students in Illinois.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program allows funding for both public and non-public school children. Robert Gilligan, Executive Director of CCI said, “This is a win-win for nearly all Illinois children. Eighty percent of Catholic families send their children to public schools, and this program could help fund existing shortfalls in public schools, such as transportation, tutoring assistance, educational supplies, and special education services. In addition, Catholic school students could also benefit with much needed scholarships for tuition.”

A poll conducted in the Spring of this year shows strong support for the program among every demographic in Illinois. Nearly $2 billion could be generated for Illinois school children by poll estimates with an opt-in, while polled participants also stated they would still choose to donate $1 billion to other states even if Governor Pritzker does not opt-in.

The program is effective on January 1, 2027, so CCI urges the Governor to act immediately to provide certainty to Illinois taxpayers and hope for schools and students in the state.

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To encourage Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois in to the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, go to our website: https://www.ilcatholic.org/take-action/action-center/

10/01/2026

Treasury and IRS Issue Proposed Regulations to Implement the Education Freedom Tax Credit WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations to implement the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit under section 25F, commonly known as the Educati...

09/21/2026

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/20/editorial-indiana-illinois-school-choice-pritzker-donations/

If Illinois continues to say no to federal school choice, Indiana has a pitch for Illinois donors.

09/16/2026

By rejecting BriefCam, Cook County would hit the pause button on a rapid, insufficiently scrutinized expansion of AI surveillance technology.