The Pro-Life Mission of the Knights of Columbus
Important FOCA Legislative Updates.
- Cardinal George Letter on House Bill 6205
- Catholics at the Capitol legislative Agenda
- Bishop Doran's Letter on Healthcare Reform
- Bishop Nickless' Letter on Healthcare Reform
- HC2010 Bulletin Insert - updated 1/7/10
- HC2010 Bulletin Insert - SPANISH - updated 1/7/10
Dear Brother Knights, Worthy Squires, Lovely Ladies, and Pro-Life Friends:
The death peddlers are at it again! They have assaulted legally passed legislation in the form of the Parental Notification Bill and prevented it from being enforced in Illinois since 1995! ( During this time it was in force for a grand total of 5 Hours!)
Last year, at this time, through team work, we defeated FOCA, both at the Congressional level and at the State level. FOCA would prevent parental notification laws from ever being enacted. It would also prevent "Conscious Clause" legislation, encourage assisted suicide, and Euthanasia!
Now the death peddlers have returned; FOCA has been reintroduced at the State level! See the Alert from the Catholic Conference of Illinois.
Please follow the instructions in the alert. HB 6205 must be prevented from becoming the law in our State!
With Prayers and best wishes for success.
Larry and Marge Theriault
Illinois State Council
Right to Life Chaircouple
HELP STOP HOUSE BILL 6205: Illinois FOCA!
The abortion bill we worked so hard to defeat last year has been reintroduced as House Bill 6205. We must mobilize our networks to contact State Representatives and urge the defeat of House Bill 6205.
Like last year, this legislation seeks to: (1) pay for abortions and many other types of reproductive healthcare (including contraceptives) with public funds; (2) make any regulation of abortion beyond the purview of state and local government; and (3) demand that the proponent’s version of comprehensive sex education be taught in every school, grades K thru 12.
The supporters of House Bill 6205 claim this year’s version of the legislation excludes the Health Care Right of Conscience and Parental Notification of Abortion Acts. We have carefully read HB 6205. Their claims are incorrect. In Section 15, the legislation states that notwithstanding any other current law neither the state nor any political subdivision may “interfere” with access to abortion.Judging by past legislative initiatives and lawsuits, the proponents obviously believe these important laws constitute state “interference” with access to abortion. This legislation is designed to set up legal challenges to both statutes and strip away health care professionals’ right of conscience and parents’ right to know of their daughters’ well being.
On our web site -- www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org -- you can find talking points and a fact sheet on House Bill 6205. Use them to familiarize yourself with the bill and then call your state representative with a message similar to:
"House Bill 6205 seeks to publicly fund abortion, undermine the Health Care Right of Conscience and Parental Notification of Abortion Acts and impose comprehensive sex education on all students, K-12, in this state. It is extreme, unnecessary legislation. Please vote NO."
To find your state representative, go to www.ilga.gov and click on Legislator Lookup in the lower, right-hand portion of the page. You can then search your state representative by district #, home address, or zip code. You can also call our offices at 312-368-1066 or 217-528-9200.
Please distribute this message to all like-minded people and call quickly! Thank you for your support.
Zach Wichmann
Catholic Conference of Illinois
Associate Director for Education
217-528-9200
