Tagged: civil unions

A central Illinois judge has ruled that Catholic Charities does not have a right to state contracts for adoptions and foster care placements and Illinois officials may cut them off.

The state Department of Children and Family Services ended $30 million in contracts with Catholic Charities in July because the not-for-profit won't work with unmarried couples in placing children in adoptive and foster homes. Illinois authorities say that violates the state's civil union law.

Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois is asking to join a lawsuit against the state over foster placements to gay couples.

The organization is affiliated with the Belleville diocese.

The Department of Children and Family Services ended its foster-care and adoption services with Catholic Charities July 1 because it says the group discriminates by not allowing gay couples to take kids.

A judge has confirmed that Illinois must temporarily continue referring foster children to Catholic Charities, despite the group's policy on gay couples.

The Department of Children and Family Services had taken the position it could maintain current cases but did not have to send new children to the not-for-profit group. Both sides agreed Monday that new cases will be referred.