Judge Says State Can Cut Ties with Catholic Charities

Saying “No citizen has a recognized legal right to a contract with the government," Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt ruled the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may opt to not renew contracts with Catholic Charities in Illinois for foster care and adoption services.

Smith previously granted a temporary injunction allowing Catholic Charities to continue providing foster care and adoption services after DCFS notified them, with the blessing of Gov. Pat Quinn, their contracts would not be renewed as a result of Catholic Charities' insistence they would not provide those services to same sex or unmarried straight couples.

The state argued Catholic Charities stance is a violation of the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unionss Law. Catholic Charities has countered their position is religious persecution and they should be allowed a public hearing and given sufficient warning before their contracts are not renewed.

Schmidt, in his opinion, said Catholic Charities' history of providing foster care and adoption services doesn't mean they're entitled to automatic renewals. They are “not required to perform these useful and beneficial services,” he said.