The State-Journal Register reports that Catholic Charities was denied request for a stay on a previous ruling by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Schmidt. Judge Schmidt had previously ruled that Catholic Charities does not have a right to a state contract.
The federal constitution and state law require the State of Illinois to make all decisions with regard to children in DCFS care solely on the basis of the “best interests of the child” and not the religious beliefs of a private foster agency:
Harvey Grossman, legal director for the American Civil Liberties of Union, said the ACLU agrees with Schmidt’s decision. Studies show gay and lesbian couples do as well as parents as opposite-sex couples, he said.
“They (Catholic Charities) do not have the right to impose religious values on those who are wards of the state,” he said.
