McHenry County Blog

Listening to the radio mid-day yesterday, I heard a story about just-out-of office Congressman Joe Walsh coming out against gay marriage at a Tea Party meeting he addressed.

He also expressed support for the Second Amendment and repealing the Democrats 67% state income tax hike.

(That income tax hike, by the way, might be noticed for the first time by Illinois taxpayers in their next pay checks.  That’s because when it went into affect two years ago, it did so at the same time that the Feds cut Social Security tax by the same number of percentage points.  That cut existed until the Fiscal Cliff tax hike legislation passed.)

All the potential Democratic Party candidates, I would imagine, are on the opposite side of these three incendiary issues.

Add in abortion and Walsh and Pat Quinn (or whoever) would have four differences on cutting edge issues, economic and social.

So why is the media paying any attention (see the Daily Herald, Crain’s Chicago Business) to a politician that liberals wished were completely washed up?

In spite of being number one on the Democrat’s hit list.

It’s because Joe Walsh can still draw a crowd.

A hundred showed up Thursday night in Arlington Heights to hear him.

But, before getting the chance to face off against a Democrat, Walsh would have to win a Republican primary election in 2014.

There is one Republican who voted for civil unions while State Senator.

Not gay marriage, granted, but close.

He’s State Treasurer and former State Rep. and Senator Dan Rutherford.

The evidence is below:

Might Joe Walsh be positioning himself for a race against Dan Rutherford for the GOP nomination for Governor?

The first twelve months when civil unions were legal in Illinois resulted in 80 licenses being taken out at the McHenry County Clerk’s Office.

76 were used. ” One license was issued yesterday, so cannot be used until today,” McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz pointed out.

2011

• June – 25
• July – 11
• August – 5
• September – 12
• October – 3
• November – 4
• December – 5

2012

• January – 3
• February – 3
• March – 5
• April – 2
• May – 2

Although an analysis of gender was not immediately available, there were civil unions of males to males, females to males and mixed gender unions.

Whenever homosexuals win a victory, it is trumpeted all over the media.

At the world convention of the United Methodist Church in Tampa this week, the homosexual agenda took a beating, however, and I couldn’t find a line of type in the Chicago Tribune today.

That, even though there was a major article on which religions were growing and which were declining in Illinois, complete with county-by-county maps for (in descending order of Illinois membership) Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, Muslim, Methodists and Southern Baptists.

The Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline “does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching” and does not allow “a self-avowed practicing homosexual” to be a pastor.

However, as a commentator for Good News puts it, the church “affirms the ‘sacred worth’ of all persons even while acknowledging that as Christians we cannot affirm every expression of human sexuality.”

Two days ago (Wednesday) a resolution supported by the Love Your Neighbor Coalition to dilute Methodist policy was defeated 53%-47%.

Another resolution to eliminate the statement that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching” failed 61%-39%.

Moderates offered a compromise similar to one defeated four years ago which would state Methodists agreed to disagree on the issue, but that was defeated by a similar margin.

Afterwards the homosexuals took over the convention floor to demonstrate their frustrations (or “Temper Tantrum,” as the Institute for Religion and Democracy puts it.)

Although neither the Chicago Tribune or Sun-Times could find space.

Neither could the Northwest Herald or the Daily Herald.

The New York Times, however, ran an article:

Methodists Keep Stricture on Homosexualitys

USA Today also ran an article, written by Associated Press:

Methodists vote to keep stand against same-sex relationships

In other mainline Protestant denominations, The Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the homosexual agenda has held sway of the position of theological conservatives.

One of the groups in the winning, Good News, issued the following statement:

Pain and Protest

For ten previous General Conferences (1972-2008), the issue of homosexuality has absorbed increased time and energy and caused deep division in the church.

This General Conference was the tenth such time.

Veterans of previous General Conferences come prepared for the drumbeats of protest, the rainbow stoles designating us vs. them, and the tears that accompany the vote of the General Conference.

Although we do not agree with those who would change United Methodism’s stance on homosexuality, we do not take their tears lightly.

It is grevious that General Conference has become a place of such pain and protest. The sorrow is profound and will not be healed easily.

We know that the protesters and their supporters are hurt and upset at the direction, once again, that our denomination has taken.

We do not celebrate in their pain.

Most would agree that the orchestrated protest is not what John Wesley had in mind when he spoke of holy conferencing.

For first-time visitors, the experience can be overwhelming and dramatic.

For many of the Central Conference delegates, it is difficult to comprehend.

There were ceremonial arrests in Cleveland and a broken African communion chalice in Pittsburgh.

In Fort Worth, it was

• the chalk outlines,
• a lesbian wedding in the park, and
• a funeral shroud over the communion table.

One need not be a sacramentalist to find it exasperating to see the elements of the Lord’s Supper once again used as political theater.

When well-known, inspirational hymns are sung as a means of promoting a gay-rights agenda, delegates and observers are placed in the undeniably strange position of singing along with a protest that they may not have supported or observing in silence.

Yet after

• numerous dialogues,
• at least two General Church study commissions,
• official study resources,
• dozens of convocations,
• piles of books,
• demonstrations and
• disruptions of the General Conference business, and
• extended impassioned debate,

our denomination has consistently affirmed a holistic position that is pastoral and biblical, compassionate and redemptive.

United Methodism’s statement is a balanced and nuanced position that affirms the “sacred worth” of all persons even while acknowledging that as Christians we cannot affirm every expression of human sexuality.

After all, there are certain sexual practices that contradict biblical standards and as faithful disciples we must be willing to declare them to be incompatible with Christian teachings.

The United Methodist position does that with mercy and grace.

To a watching world and local churches at home, it is a statement of ethical stability in an age of murky morality.

It is a statement of theological honesty in an age of religious ambiguity.

It is a prophetic statement to a world that offers no boundaries to sexual expression.

To young people, our statement may provide a necessary guardrail to protect them from sexual brokenness.

The biblically prophetic message has always been more interested in truth and transformation than in consensus and conformity to mob-rule morality.

What the world often finds excusable and acceptable, the church does not and cannot.

In the interest of reaffirming our stance on human sexuality, we must admit that we have not always shown love for those who struggle with same-sex attraction.

In far too many of these highly-charged denominational gatherings, the temptation has been to view one another in the “us vs. them” mentality.

Sometimes our words and actions weighed heavier on “incompatible with Christian teaching” than on “persons of sacred worth.”

That was never our intent.

Despite that, we apologize.

This is not to paper over legitimate differences of opinion that we have regarding

• sexual ethics,
• the authority of Scripture, and
• the role of boundaries in the UM Church.

We probably will not change one another’s minds.

Nevertheless, we are grieved that what has been lost in the debate over homosexuality since 1972 is the potential for ministry to those who struggle with sexual brokenness.

Even though our denominational debates usually focus exclusively on homosexuality, United Methodism must begin to learn how to provide effective and compassionate ministry to all persons who struggle with their sexuality-whether it be heterosexual or homosexual.

We live in a hypersexualized culture and United Methodism must deal seriously-and here we are speaking to conservatives as well as liberals and moderates-with the crippling spiritual devastation that sexual brokenness brings into our local congregations.

Many who sit next to us in our pews have been victimized by sexual abuse or by an unfaithful spouse.

Others in our congregations

• struggle with promiscuity,
• are addicted to pornography,
• suffer with sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS,
• are confused about their sexual identity, or
• wrestle with same-sex attractions.

They all need to know that the United Methodist Church is prepared to minister to their needs. Right now, we are woefully ill-prepared.

In the midst of our sexual brokenness, the Bible says,

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear!” (Isaiah 59:1)

The United Methodist Church was birthed as a Holy Spirit movement that believed in the power of God to transform the lives of all those who struggle with sin–homosexual or heterosexual.

Through a biblical ministry of mercy and grace, we must be a church that welcomes the sexually broken and confused.

We must be a church that stands with those who seek

• healing,
• wholeness, and
• holiness

in their sexuality.

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing in Newspapers

I got two emails Saturday describing what is happening in Tampa during the early stages of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The Conference is the counterpart of the quadrennial political party conventions in the United States, except the action is on the platform.

It amends the Church’s Discipline, a rule book about who can become a preacher, what the church’s stance is on social issues like abortion and homosexuality and even what electric bulbs Methodists should be urged to purchase.

If this sounds a bit like a political convention, you’re probably figuring out why a political blog like this one might be interested.

I received two emails from conservative groups today and will borrow extensively from each.

Good News says that “a well-funded and extravagant lobbying effort to change United Methodism’s view on marriage and sexuality, and stacks and stacks of petitions” describe the process so far.

Here’s the rest of Saturday’s report:

The Renewal and Reform Coalition has observers in each of these legislative committees and we have been tracking the petitions that have a special interest to mainstream evangelical United Methodists in the pews.

We have been publishing our daily newsletter Focus every night and we held our second breakfast briefing this morning.

The entire General Conference will be dealing with these individual petitions when they gather as a plenary group on Monday, April 30. Although, all these are subject to change within the next few days, we did want to highlight a few issues you would care deeply about.

• Petition 21050 espousing the right to civil marriage and civil unions for homosexual persons was defeated 36-39
• Subcommittee took our statement on abortion in a more pro-life direction, adding that we oppose abortion except in cases of “conflicts of physical life with physical life” and added unconditional rejection of abortion for “eugenics”
• 

  The Rev. Tom Lambrecht of Good News

  Petition 20624 was adopted to end any funding for pro-choice political lobbies (including the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice) (63-6)

• Subcommittee did not approve attempts to end the prohibition on funding to promote the acceptance of homosexuality (20-1)
• Attempts to fund central conference theological education through the Ministerial Education Fund were defeated by a subcommittee in favor of another petition that would take $5 million from World Service apportionments and designate it for that purpose
• Petitions to delete the prohibition of the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals were not approved, however, a subcommittee approved petition 20994, which replaces that prohibition with the following language: “sexual conduct that occurs outside the context of a marriage between one man and one woman is incompatible with holy living. Therefore, those who engage in such practices, or who participate or represent themselves to others as participating in a relationship in which such practices are a part, including same-sex unions, may not be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The UMC.” (13-10)
• An approach to restructuring that would keep several church agencies with separate boards and one coordinating committee was favored over the proposal that would unify all agencies into a single board by a vote of 56-27, with a subcommittee now working on the details of implementation
• Proposals to eliminate the practice of homosexuality as a chargeable offense failed (27-20), but the definition of “immorality” as including “not being celibate in singleness or not faithful in a heterosexual marriage” was deleted as unnecessary
• Petition 20802 allowing supplemental women’s ministries in local churches in addition to United Methodist Women was adopted (40-13)
• Numerous proposals to require prospective church members to be received regardless of qualification were not approved. Instead, petition 20618 that protects pastoral discretion in determining a person’s readiness to assume the vows of membership and providing an appeal process to the local church PPR Committee was approved (29-28)
• Petition 20460 that permits an annual conference to use an apportionment formula whereby a church contributes a specified percentage of its current income or expenses was adopted (56-1-4)
• Petition 20875 to retain the current prohibition on homosexual unions was approved 63-10
• Proposal to establish a set-aside bishop to serve as president of the Council of Bishops was approved (49-6-5)

Please continue to pray for the delegates, observers, and all who are working for a faithful future for The United Methodist Church.

We invite you to join with other Christians around the globe who are praying that the 2012 General Conference proceedings will be led by the Holy Spirit.

As United Methodists, we are in desperate need of a season of revival, reform, and renewal. Nothing is more vital to the future of our denomination than a fresh touch from God and a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our congregations, seminaries, boards, and agencies.

Lord, we ask that a season of renewal and revival would begin at the 2012 General Conference.

[Those wishing to contribute to Good News can do so here.]

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The Confessing Movement offered this report for Saturday, day 5 of the General Conference:

Reports are coming in from legislative groups and their subcommittees. Each of these reports will be forwarded to the plenary sessions that will start dealing with petitions on Monday, April 30. Here are a few that will be of interest to Confessing Movement supporters.

1. A strong statement against pornography, submitted by the General Board of Church and Society, was approved by the subcommittee.
2. Petitions to change the definition of marriage to something other than a covenant between one man and one woman have not been approved by subcommittee.
3. After a time of holy conferencing and a long debate, a motion to delete the words “we believe the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” passed by a vote of 14-12. However, as they often report on TV on the night of elections, “all the precincts are not yet counted.” About 100 supporters of Common Witness, the group lobbying to change the church’s position, crowded into the room. One African delegate indicated he felt he was uncomfortable. The petition will be forwarded to the whole legislative group and then to the plenary. Defenders of the Biblical stance on sexuality feel this vote will be overturned in the larger committee.
4. 4) A petition to study transgenderism failed 8-45.
5. 5) A vote to remove the prohibition against using church money to advance homosexual causes failed 1-21.
6. The vote is not yet finalized on a resolution for the church to withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), but a preliminary vote in subcommittee passed.  [This lobbying group is headquartered in the Methodist Building right next to the U.S. Supreme Court.  It opposes any restrictions on abortion.]
7. A motion for the funding of seminary education in the Central Conferences to the tune of 5 million dollars for the quadrennium passed the legislative group. This was instead of petitions that would cut the percentage of Ministerial Education Funds (MEF) going to U.S. seminaries in order to fund overseas seminaries.
8. Petitions which affirmed the pastor’s role in determining readiness for church membership have passed subcommittee. This topic became a major issue when a pastor in Virginia delayed membership to a practicing homosexual. He was removed from his pulpit by a bishop who said he did not have the right to deny anyone membership. The judicial council then overruled the bishop’s ruling and the pastor was restored. These petitions clarify and strengthen the pastor’s responsibility and right.
9. Legislation overturning guaranteed appointments for pastors has passed subcommittee. The legislation will allow easier removal of ineffective pastors.
10. The issue of term limits for bishops (appointed for eight years but need to be reelected for the next eight-year term) failed by a close margin of 25-28. This is sure to be debated further.
11. Legislation that would require 40% of faculty at United Methodist seminaries to be United Methodist, with reduced funding if less than that, has passed subcommittee.

All of this legislation will need to be approved or disapproved by the plenary session of all delegates but these first votes are an indication of which way the conference is leaning.

Contributions can be made to the Confessing Movement here.

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The Institute for Religion and Democracy made the following report today:

General Conference is a cauldron of controversies.

But some good news.

Despite liberal high hopes, lobbying to overturn United Methodism’s biblical stance on marriage seems to be failing.

Legislative subcommittees are so far rejecting

• same-sex marriage,
• any change in ordination standards, and
• affirming the ban on church funding for gay advocacy.

One committee rejected forcing homosexual scout leaders on the Boy Scouts.

The big fight likely will be over the Social Principles’ stance that homosexual practice is “incompatible” with Christian teaching. A subcommittee narrowly voted to remove “incompatible.” The full committee will debate and vote by this evening.

Meanwhile, there is reportedly legislation proceeding that would provide benefits to same sex partners in states where same sex marriage is legal.

And other legislation, approved in subcommittee, would redefine as marriage as two individuals rather than man and woman.

My own petition protecting religious adoption agencies’ ability to place children with traditional married couples was narrowly rejected in a committee, but we hope to get it to the main floor for debate.

Support UMAction

IRD depends on support from people like you. Click here to learn how you can help support IRD’s mission.

Of course, there is a plethora of political resolutions before the General Conference. United Methodism already officially opposes any law enforcement against illegal immigration. But even this extreme stance is apparently insufficient. Jeff Walton reported on a luncheon for liberalized immigration polices.

Promisingly, a subcommittee has approved United Methodist withdrawal from the radical Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

Please pray for God’s will at this General Conference. And please pray especially for courageous delegates, defending God’s Word, often surrounded by hostile activists.

With appreciation,

Mark Tooley
IRD President
Director, UMAction

P.S.: Please help sustain IRD/UMAction’s presence here in Tampa with an online donation of $25, $50, $100 or more today. Thank you!

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Other articles that may be of interest:

• 4/24/12 Methodist Convention This Week in Tampa – Unity Not on the Agenda
• 4/27/12 The Disconnect Between American Liberals and Africans in Tampa’s Methodist Convention
• 4/28/12 Conservative Methodists Making Headway in World Conference, Big Fight on Homosexuality in Offing
• 4/29/12 Update from United Methodist Church General Conference in Tampa – Conservatives Winning Most Votes, Setbacks for Abortion & Israeli Divestment Supporters
• 4/30/12 Good News Reports Most Endorsed Candidates for Methodist “Supreme Court,” University Senate Win
• 4/30/12 Conservatives Take Three of Four Vacancies on Methodist Judicial Council, Vote on Homosexuality Imminent
• 5/2/12 Methodists Vote Almost 3-1 Against Ending Investments (Divestment) in Motorola and CAT, Proportional Representation for Africans on Ruling Bodies, Preacher Tenure Ended
• 5/3/12 53% Reject Homosexual Liberalization at Tampa World Methodist Conference
• 5/3/12 Homosexuals Take over Methodist Tampa Convention Floor after Losing Vote
• 5/4/12 Coverage of Conservative Methodists’ Victory over Homosexual Activists Missing

This is the second article on the McHenry County Young Republicans 52nd District State Representative District Candidates’ Forum at Crystal Lake’s McHenry County College.  The first is here.

Another interesting exchange involved abortion.

Both David McSweeney and Daniele Rowe said they were Pro-Life.

Rowe said it was one of the most asked questions when she knocked on doors.

Appointed incumbent Kent Gaffney’s answer was, “For me the social issues [are] not the focus of my campaign.”  He said they divide the party.

The man he replaced, State Rep. Mark Beaubien was elected and re-elected with the strong and strident support of Personal PAC, an organization I do not hesitate to label as “pro-abortion,” since it favors allowing women to have an abortion up to the day before birth.

I note that Gaffney is not endorsed by Personal PAC.  (The endorsements are here.)

Nevertheless, the Republican  electorate locally is divided about 60-40 in favor of the Pro-Life position  on abortion, so if McSweeney and Rowe each get half, they would tally 30% apiece, while Gaffney’s proportion on this issue would be 40%.

A related issue brought up was civil unions.

McSweeney said he was “absolutely” in favor of repeal.

Rowe said she “would support repeal,” while Gaffney replied,

“The law is passed.  It’s not on my agenda to repeal the civil unions [legislation].”

All three agreed on the advisability of allowing individuals to carry guns to protect themselves.  Gaffney pointed out that the effort had 68-69 votes in the current House (with 71 needed to withstand an expected veto by Governor Pat Quinn].

An issue on which the three were divided was whether the legislature should be part-time.

McSweeney called for a pay cut, no pensions and meeting only once every two years, as is the case in Texas.

Rowe pointed out she was the first to come out against legislative pensions, doing so at her announcement of candidacy.

She will not take a legislative pension, if elected.  She also aid that the $68,000 salary was “way too much for that part-time position.”

Gaffney, who also opposes legislative pensions, made the case for being a full-time legislator, 24-7.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

[Having served as a fell-time state rep. for 16 years, I must admit to wondering how one could be an adequate state legislator working part-time.  Government is so inadequate that a legislator's intervention or that of his or her staff is constantly necessary.  I'd go so far as to assert that government just doesn't work.]

Term limits?

McSweeney says he will serve no more than three.

Gaffney also supported term limits, ten years, and told me later he will not serve more than three terms.

I’m pretty sure Rowe did, too, but it didn’t make my notes.

One point Rowe did make the others ignored were the very few Fiscal Notes requested in the General Assembly.

Six Fiscal Notes for 600 bills.

So for the vast, vast majority of the bills legislators had no clue what they would cost.

When I read this story in the Daily Herald, I was astounded.

I remember the 1993-94 session, I filed a Fiscal Note on every Public Aid bill because House Speaker Mike Madigan would not advance one of my welfare reform bills.

The Rules then and now say that Fiscal Notes have to be filed before a bill can received a final vote.

In effect, I had control of all welfare legislation that session.  Sponsors tried to convince me to drop the notes and some even convinced me to do so.  But my requests killed a lot of really bad legislation.

Other years, I’d have a staffer file a Fiscal Note on every bill.

I can’t help but wonder why someone did not step up to that role after I left the house in 2001.

One would think GOP Leader Tom Cross would do that routinely employ that tactic, if only to slow down the Democrats’ legislative agenda.

When questioned about involvement in local government and politics, McSweeney has the biggest resume.  Rowe detailed extensive volunteer activity of local and Wisconsin Republicans.

Gaffney told of having worked statewide with the House Republican Organization.

One question was asked that none of the panel members seemed to understand.

In Illinois, individuals have a $1,000 a person exemption income from taxes.

Corporations used to enjoy a similar $1,000 exemption, but not since the Democrats repealed it.

From the question, it seems that really small businesses not only have to pay taxes on dollar one, but have to make quarterly tax filings.

McSweeney advocated eliminated taxes on businesses earning less that $5,000 a year.

Red Light cameras came in for universal opposition, as did Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s Speed Cameras  over almost all parts of the city.  McSweeney labeled as “a new scam.”  Gaffney said he had voted against the bill.

There was a lot more, of course, but this will have to suffice from me.

Guess I didn’t read Eric Peterson’s Daily Herald article about Kent Gaffney’s replacing State Rep. Mark Beaubien carefully enough.

In my article on the House Appropriations Committee Budget Director’s advancement from staff member to state legislator, I missed the apparent fact that he is a social moderate.

The Daily Herald reports Gaffney “does believe government should stay out of what ought to be citizens’ personal choices about their lives.”
Beabien’s wife Dee said Kent was “a moderate like Mark.” The reported said Beaubien believed “some in the Lake County Republican contingent were hoping for someone more conservative on social issues.’

Beaubian was a consistent opponent of restrictions on abortion and voted for the civil union bill that just became effective June 1st.

In McHenry County, about twenty-five couples filed civil union paperwork with the McHenry County Clerk in June.

The article also says Gaffney moved from Springfield, where he was born, “only a few years ago.”

Although the vote among the three pro-life Republican Party leaders was not taken in public, it was McHenry County Republican Chairman and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s almost 50% vote combined with the tiny weighted vote of Barrington Township and 8th Congressional District State Central Committeeman Gene Dawson that created the necessary majority to appoint Gaffney.

Assuming that Gaffney is as pro-choice as Beaubien was, he will have the support of Personal PAC. Personal PAC specializes in hiring phone banks to call every woman in a legislative district asking if they are “pro-choice.” Turning out that “base” consists of the guts of the political action committee’s campaign.

That strategy can work in suburban districts when more than two social conservatives run for the same legislative office.

I speculated early on that a female pro-choice candidate from Crystal Lake could win the primary election to replace Beaubien.

Besides having the support of Personal PAC, she would, of course, have had the five percentage point advantage. Research over my political career has led me to believe that a woman has a five percentage point advantage over a man in the Northwest suburbs.

Gaffney, of course, will not have that advantage.

Just in case you are interested, the McHenry County Clerk’s Office reports that twelve couples were issued civil union licenses during the first two days after the law became effective.

The House roll call is below. Representing McHenry County, State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) and Barrington Hills Republican State Rep. Mark Beaubien supported the bill, which passed 61-52.

Without those two votes, the Civil Union legislation would not have become law.

Sixty votes were required for passage.

The 32-24 vote Illinois State Senate roll call is below:

The Rockford Diocese covers McHenry County. Today its Catholic Charities announced that it would no longer assist the State of Illinois in finding adoptive families for wards of the state.

The reason?

The new civil unions law that takes effect on June 1st.

Four of seven offices will close as a result.  The one in McHenry will remain open.

Here’s what was said at the press conference:

PENNY WIEGERT: Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I would like to introduce to you members of the administration here in the Rockford Diocese relevant to this announcement.

INTRODUCTIONS:

PENNY: In its early history, many Catholic Charities agencies, including the one here in the Diocese of Rockford‐‐ which serves 11 counties here across the northern part of Illinois‐‐served as orphanages to care for the most vulnerable children in their communities. Today, Catholic Charities continues that tradition of caring for children through foster care and adoption services. Our local services to children and families in this regard date back 100 years and more.

Catholic Charities, like many other private agencies in Illinois, recruit and train foster parents to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Children are then placed with those trained and licensed foster parents. Caseworkers from Catholic Charities provide the monitoring, case work and social services to the children. Catholic Charities is funded by the state for these services. The quality, compassion and professionalism with which these services are provided are guided by the mission, vision and teaching of the Catholic Church.

In fact, the official mission of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford is this…Catholic Charities continues the ministry of Jesus in faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church. Our mission is

• to serve God for the common good with compassion, dignity and respect;
• to assist people in achieving a degree of independence consonant with their human dignity; and
• to work in solidarity with the Church and other people of good will in advocating for justice.

On June 1, 2011 the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act will take effect.

This new law may allow unmarried cohabitating couples, whether same‐sex or opposite sex, to apply for adoptions and licenses to become foster parents. As you may know, the Catholic Church does not condone same‐sex unions or unmarried cohabitation between individuals of the opposite sex.

We believe in the natural order of marriage and the Sacrament of Matrimony between one man and one woman. We also believe and promote the optimal God‐given privilege of every child to be reared in a safe and loving family with a committed and loving male father and female mother whenever possible.

Catholic Charities and other religious agencies implored the State of Illinois to allow their agencies to refer civil union couples to other adoption and foster care agencies so as to not violate the moral teachings of their faith.

Tragically, that did not happen. The state legislature failed to pass an explicit amendment exempting religious entities from the application of the civil unions law in its state‐funded adoption and foster care programs. Despite the tireless efforts of the state’s Catholic Charities directors including Mr. Vonch, and the lobbying efforts of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the exemption failed.

Because of this failure and the anticipated legal challenges it will present to our free exercise of religion, the Diocese of Rockford is forced to permanently discontinue all state‐funded adoption and foster care operations as of June 1, 2011.

FRANK VONCH: Because of this action, our agency will begin transitioning families from the care of Catholic Charities as directed by DCFS. This morning, I had the very heartbreaking task of informing 58 dedicated foster care and adoption workers that their professional services will no longer be required due to this closure. These workers are spread through‐out our offices in two regions—one in the East with offices in Aurora, Elgin and McHenry. Our western Region has offices in Rockford, Freeport, Belvidere and Sterling.

Our caseworkers do this work not just because it’s their job, but because it is their calling.

The children and families they serve are just an extension of their commitment to our mission, which serving children is at its basic core, so it is a very grave loss for them as well as for everyone involved with charities.

Beginning today, employees will spend the next weeks preparing to transition their cases to the care of other agencies.

We currently serve about 350 children and 191 foster families.

Currently, as I just mentioned, Catholic Charities has seven offices across the 11‐county diocese.

When this transition and redefinition of services is complete, we will have one office in Rockford and one in Aurora and one in McHenry.

Earlier this morning, the affected employees along with all diocesan clergy, parishes and schools were informed of this unfortunate, but necessary action.

While we understand leaving this work will be very painful for our client families, employees, volunteers, donors and prayerful supporters, we can no longer contract with the State of Illinois whose laws would force us to participate in activity offensive to the moral teachings of the church—teachings which compel us to do this work in the first place.

Services no longer offered by Catholic Charities include:

• State‐funded Foster Care including counseling of foster children and special programming
• State‐funded Adoption Services including adoption counseling
• State‐funded parenting classes
• State‐funded extended family support program
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

All non‐state funded services will not be affected. Those include

• Private adoption
• School counseling
• Private family and marriage counseling
• Bilingual Outreach Program
• Outreach and Emergency Services
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

It’s not news that State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) has a liberal social agenda.

So, it was not a surprise when a mailing from the Illinois Family Institute, an organization that has a conservative social agenda, should find one of his votes with which to disagree.

It’s his “Yes” vote on Senate Bill 1716, which concerned civil unions.

IFI equates civil unions with “same-sex marriage,” as you can see from the flyer that arrived in my mailbox.

The mailing was misdirected because, while Beaubien represents part of McHenry County, he doesn’t represent m the part in which I live.

The bill passed 32 to 24 with one person voting “present,” the equivalent of a “no” vote because 30 votes are required to pass in the Illinois State Senate.

McHenry County’s two state senators, Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy both cast votes against the legislation.

The roll call is below. Click to enlarge the image.

State Representatives Jack Franks and Mark Beaubien supported the measure when it was voted on in the Illinois House at dinner time. Mike Tryon opposed the bill.