Judge decides against Catholic Charities

SPRINGFIELD — A Sangamon County judge has ruled the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service can begin canceling its adoption and foster care contracts with Catholic Charities.

Judge John Schmidt on Monday denied Catholic Charities’ request to stay his earlier ruling that the group has no right to state contracts to provide adoption and foster care services.

Illinois ended $30 million in contracts with Catholic Charities in four dioceses in July because the organizations’ practice of referring unmarried couples to other agencies was discriminatory, a violation of the state’s civil union law.

Catholic Charities has argued it developed a “property interest” in the work after 40 years of annually renewed contracts with the state.

Attorneys for Catholic Charities say they will ask the 4th District Appellate Court to stay Schmidt’s ruling.