Transcript of Preliminary Injunction Supporting Catholic Charities Right to Continue Adoption & Foster Care Services

8/6/2019 Transcript of Preliminary Injunction Supporting Catholic Charities Right to Continue Adoption & Foster Care Services

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OFSPRINGFIELD-IN-ILLINOIS, an Illinoisnon - p r o f i t co r po r a t i o n , CATHOLICCHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PEORIA,an Illinois non - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n ,and CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESESOF JOLIET, INC. , an Illinois non - p r o f i tco r po r a t i o n ,

Plaintiffs,

v.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, L I S p ~ I'1p.DIGAN, in he rOf f i c i a l c ap a c i t y as th e A t t o r ney Gene r a l }o f th e S t a t e o f I l i n o i s , ERWIN McEWEN,in h is official c ap a c i t y as Di r e c t o r o fth e Depa r tmen t o f C hild ren & Fami lySe r v i c e s , S t a t e o f Illinois, th eDEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES,S t a t e o f Illinois, ROCCO J . CLAPPS in h isofficial c ap a c i t y as Di r e c t o r o f th eDepa r tmen t o f Human R igh t s , S t a t e o fIllinois, and th e DEPARTMENT OF HUMANRIGHTS, S t a t e o f Illinois,

Defendan t s .

HEARING

NO. I l - t ' lR-254

REPORT OF THE l?ROCEEDI GS o f th e h Idbe fo r e th e HON RABLE JOHN SCHMIDT, 0 0 th e 12 t dav o rJ u l y , 2011 .


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APPEAHl\NCES:MH. THOMAS BREJCHA, MR. PETER BREEN andIViR. B R ~ n . D EO FF,At to rney s a t Lawon beh a l f o f th e Plaintiffs.

MISS PATRICIA GIBSON,At to r ney a t Lawon beha l f of th e P l a i n t i f f , Diocese o fPeo r i a .

MISS DEBORAH L. BARNES,As s i s t a n t At to r ney Gene r a lon beha l f o f th e Defendan t s S t a t e o fIllinois.

Andrea S. Pryor , CSROf icial 0 rt Repor te rRoom! 2 Sangamo County ComplexSprinC] e1d r IL 627

2 1 ~ ! 53-639


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2 WITNESSES PAGE

3 None

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9 EXHIBITS

10 None

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1 THE COURT: This i s 2011-MR-254, Ca tho l i c Cha r i t i e s2 o f th e Diocese o f Sp r i ng f i e l d , Catho l i c Cha r i t i e s o f th e3 Diocese o f P eo r ia , Catho l i c Cha r i t i e s o f th e Diocese o f

J o l i e t ve r su s S t a t e of I l l i n o is ; a l l of th e fo l l ow ing5 i n d i v i du a l s in t h e i r o f f i c i a c ap a c i t i e s , L i sa Madigan ,6 At to rney Genera l , Erwin McEwen, Di r e c t o r o f Depar tment7 o f Chi ld ren and Farrei y Se rv i c e s , Rocco Clapp s , D i r e c t o r8 o f th e Depar tment o f Human Righ t s . Tha t appea rs to be9 it.

10 Pre sen t fo r Ca tho l i c Cha r i t i e s i s Mr. Bre j cha .'1 1

1.L

1314

:J name.

fvlR. B R E J C H l ' ~ :

THE COURT:I':JR. BREJCHA:THE COURT:

Good a f t e r noon .Is t h a t c o rr e c t, Breck -cha?Breck -ca i s how you say it, Judge .

T ha te it when peop le mispronounce my

L"lR. BREJCHA: Tha t ' s a ~ r l g n t . J udge , wi t h me isIi Pe t e r Breen , B-R-E-E N, from ou r o f f i c e .18 co RT: 1vi r . Huf f lS he r e ?9 ['-iR. HUFF: Yes.

2223

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~ R BREJCHA:THE COURT:ivj S3 GIBS01\1:HE COURISS GIBS

I s t h e re a Pa t r Cl2 c son?Yesi s s Gis 0 r ho 2 r e yo ?


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1

2

THE COURT: And a James Byrne , B- -R-N-E .Mr. Byrne i s no t he r e t o d ay .

3 THE COURT: No, 1"1r. Byrne , okay . Very good .4

pa r t i e s .Those i n d i v i du a l s a l l p re sen t fo r th e v a r i ou sCa t ho l i c Cha r i t i e s , Bre j ch a and Breen

6 r e p r e s e n t , I b e l i e v e , all o f them; t '1i33 Gib son f o r th e7 Peo r i a Dioce se , and t h a t \>Jould be it so f a r . tvir. Hu f f ,8 a l so here fo r Ca t ho l i c Cha r i t i e s ; fo r th e S t a t e o f9 Illinois, 11 i33 Barne s , As s i s t a n t ? ~ t t o r n e y Gene ra l , is

1U t h a t co r r e c t ?1112

MISS Bl\RNES:THE COURT:

Yes .Okay, i n t r o d u c t i o n s ou t of th e way.

13 I have rece ved t h i s af te rnoon - - o r l a t e t h i s1,4 morn ing , th e De fendan t s I Response , th e De fendan t s '

15 Response fo r Leave to F i e an Amended -- to Defendan t s '16 Response to PIa ntiffs' Mot ion fo r Leave to F i l e an

Amended Supp l emen t a l Compla in t and a Mot ion to Dismi s s18 fo r Mcotness .19 T '>lOU I ake th e moctness i s sue up20 first. es an one have anv ob ec t i o o t h a t ?

L"lR. BREJCHA:Your onor?

does ne S t a t go

2324

THE COURT: The S t a t has a motion c Ia i 9 th s i s


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1 ~ l R . BREJCHp.: Yes , You r Hono r . So I wi l l c la im we2 h e a r t h i s mootnes s i s s ue first.3 THE COURT: A ll r i g h t , Your Honor , T h a v e n ' t4 r e c e i ved t h a t p a r t i c u l a r mot ion . It's no t unexpec t ed ..5 I f th er e 's ano t h e r copy o f i t ?6 t'1ISS 8 P . ~ R N E S : r;Jr. Bre j c h a , it I s th e Supp l emen t a l7 Response t h a t we f i l e d ye s t e r d ay .8 Oh, I s e e , I s e e . Okay. Yes , Your9 Honor , I have no ob j e c t i o n to p r o c e ed i n g , hO \ 1 2V e r th e

10 Cour t weD d p r e f e r .11 THE COURT: j e r y good. Niss Barnes?12 rvlISS BAENES: Your Honor , th e P l a i n t i f f s fo rmer ly13 he ld con t r a c t s wi th th e Depa r tmen t o f Ch i l d r en and4 Fami ly S erv ic e s fo r th e p r ov i s i on o f f o s t e r ca re

15 l i c en s i ng and adop t i on ca re s e rV l c e s . Those c o n t r a c t s16 exp i r ed a t th e end of June . Af t e r seme d i s cu s s i on , th ei f pa r t i e s cou ld no t reach an ag reemen t to e n t e r i n t o Dew18 con t r a c t s .19 ~ i s c le a r , \ ' ie be l i e v e , from th e t e no r o f20 th e r r eque s t fo r 1n ' Dc t ive r e l i e f , as weI as th e

unde r l y ng Cemp a ' i t f t a t th e relief t h ev seek as22 eve y th ing to de wi th ho ld ing t h e s e e t r a e t because23 t h ey no enger ho d nese eo t r a c t s f and neea se

ce ta t-' e re i s no s ta cory n,n 1 S


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1 them a rl t to th es e con t r a c t s , we be l i e v e t h e r e ' s DO2 case o r con t rove r sy a t t h i s po in t fo r t h i s Cour t to tak e3 a l ook at, and th e ma t t e r a t this p o i n t appe a r s t o be4 moot .5 In add i t i o n , wi th r e s p e c t to th e At to rney6 Genera l , no enforcement ac t i on has been t aken a t t h i s7 po i n t . Tha t ' s , I suppose , a s i de from th e mootness8 i s s u e , bu t I j u s t - - fo r your i n f o rma t i on , i s th e9 s i t u a t i o n .

10 So because t h e r e a re no con t r a c t s be tween DeFS11 and th e P l a i n t i f f s , we be l i e v e t h a t th e e n t i r e12 proceed ing i s moo1314 BREJCHP-,- :

Mr. Bre jcha?I f th e Cou r t p l e a s e . i n v i t e a

-: c stipulation. Tf ~ h Court wi l l a low me to do it from16 th e At t o r n e y Gene r a l t h a t h e r o f f i c e w i l l no t t a k e any17 f u r t h e r a c t i o n a ga in st ou r c l e n t s p u rsu an t to t h a t18 letter o f March 8 th o f this y e a r , a dv is in g th es e t h r e e19 c h a r i t a b l e o rga z a t i o n s , p a r t s o f their Roman Cat olie

Ulocese , a t t h ey had no t i c e t h a t t h e y were lD

v i o l a t i o n o f t h e ~ l n o l S Dma R gh t s Act f2 t h ey c.re i hdrawing t h a t c ega io and t h ey a r end g

at.. i n v e s t i g a t i o n h re in t h i s oo m a t T is24 ve r app ayth t,


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1 hea rd no th ing of s e r t s . tr1e have hea rd n ly2 th e o pp os i t e ! t h a t in f a c t , ou r clients, ou r b e l i e f to3 be gu i l t y o f v ic a t io n s o f t h a t Human Ri t s Act , and it4 a p p l i e s to them, as p l a c e s o r pub l i c accommodat ion under5 th e law o f th e S t a t e o f I l i n o i s . In f a c t , we6 p ro found ly d i s ag re e wi th t h a t . Af t e r deep s t udy , we7 have de t a i l e d and d e l i n e a t e d th e r e a son s why we d i s a g r e e8 wi th t h a t and th e o r i g i n a l Compla in t , and f u r t h e r , in9 ou r Amended Su pp lem en ta l C ompla in t, we a re ask ing l e a v e

10 to file cday , and i ndeed we met wi th th e Deputy11 At to rney Genera l and o t h e r o f f i c i a l s - -

THE COURT: I don ' t mean to i n t e r r u p t you,13 Mr. Bre j ch a , bu t you need to tell me why l lS m o o ~ , why14 it i s no t moot . mean, t h ey a re say ing ba s i e a ly you r

15 con t r a c t s were no t r enewed. The re fo re , it 's moot; it 's16 eve r .17 tvIR. BREJCHA: V'Jell, as a ma t t e r o f f a c t , Judge ,18 that's a d i f f e r e n t t h e r e a re two pa r t s to t h i s c a s e .19 T e re i s th e i nve s t i g a t i on by th e A tto rn ey Gene ra l ba sed20 on t h e i r adv ice to why t ey fauna us lD io a t i a n , a d

r eque s t ed unde r t e s t a t u t e a Da r t i c u l a r p rov l s l oD22 of t e Human Righ t s Act t h a t e p rov ide i n fo rma t i on .23 have as ed them to bac om ha t . So we24 e r re i t n a _ e a 2 Dac in g r ort


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excep t fo r t h i s s u g g e s t i o n . Tha t ' s why I a sked fo r t h a t2 s t i p u l a t i o n .3 THE COURT: I unde r s t and t h a t .4 MR. BREJCHA: But let's l e av e t h a t on th e t a b l e and5 move on to t h i s i s s u e o f c o n t r a c t s .6 Your Honor , wi th a d e f e r e n c e , d i s t i n g u i s h e d7 coun s e l cou d no t be more in e r r o r . Thi s i s no t a8 one- t ime c o n t r a c t . Thi s is no t a b id fo r a new9 c o n t r a c t . Thi s i s in f a c t a de c ade ' s l ong s e r i e s

1 c o n t r a c t s t h a t have been renew ed a n n u a ~ y fo r decade s .11 These P l a i n t i f f s go back many y e a r s , and wha t ' s r e a l l y a12 r e l a t i o n a l a rran gem en t, no t s im ply a t r a n s a c t i o n a l13 a r r a ngemen t , a s i ng l e con s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t or som eth ing

I n c . v .f th e s o r t and under th e ca s e Bio = .. ' . ' - ' = ~ ~ = - - = ~ ' : : . : : . . . L ~ ~ ~ ~ ~415 T r ~ n o r , '?lhich '?Je have c i t e d to th e Cou r t , our c l i e n t s16 have a p r o t e c t ab l e 1ega i n t e r e s t in t h e i r e xpe c t a t i o n

of con t i nu i ng to r e c e i ve S t a t e paymen t s . In t h i s ca se ,18 it was j \ j ledicaid paymen t s to a do c t o r , on beha f o f19 Medica id r e c i p en t s . "'"';: our c a s e , tIs f o s t e r p a r e n t s

"o r a t i on s i r u a i o n s , whom th e r n t r a c t o r , t h i s21 c:as2 j Ca tho l i c Thus ,

and I quo t e rrom th e L ~ l . . l o i s23 d a t Page Hln t e r r u io of an e x i s t i n g24 re I t i o sh ip b e t en th e q vernme enG a on racY


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1 p l a c e s th e con t r a c t o r in a d i f e r e o t po s t u r e from one2 initially s e ek i ng governmen t con t r a c t s and can c a r r y3 wi th it grave economic consequences . ' f4 So th e gene ra r u l e he r e i s t h a t t h o s e who,5 l i k e ou r P l a i n t i f f s , seek to c o nt in u e a p re ex i s t i n g6 c o n t r a c t u a l r e l a t i o n sh i p wi th th e S t a t e have s t and i ng to7 cha l l enge S t o t e agenc i e s who d e c i d e , a s in t h i s c a s e , on8 i l l e g a l , l e g a l l y i n c o r r e c t and l aw l e s s grounds t h a t t h ey9 may t e rm in a t e t h a t r e l a t i on sh i p .

10 A sub s equen t c a s e , od v. Puccko r iu s whichl S a l so c i t e d in our mot ion , Your Honor , d i s t i n gu i s h e s

12 8 i -Med ica l because in t h a t ca s e t h e r e was nc quo te ,13 l ' e xpec t a t i on o f con t i nu i ng . 11 Here , t h e r e i s eve ry14 expec t a t i on o f c on tin u in g . I nde ed , even a f t e r we had

15 th s mee t i ng on June 20 th w ith th e Deputy At to rn ey16 Gene r a l and o t h e r s , our o l i e n t s r e c e i ved t h e i r r ev i ews17 fo r th e l a s t yea r from th e D epartm en t o f Ch i l d r en and18 Fami ly Se rv i c e s which were ex t r eme ly po s i t i v e , r emind ing9 one or more of them t h a t t h e i r r a t ng was among th e

20 h ghe s t lD _ eState. There was neve r , neve r a yexpec ta io n o t h e r an t h a t e wo ~ can t ~ t h i sr e l a t ons lp . o th e co t r a r y , t h e r e was ne e r ev n a

3 h i n t t h a t e au ld e t e r m i n a t e d ~ There was neve r ano ice ~ T UD e s e ompl ied w h th e l a Tho laws


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1 t h a t were i n app l i c ab l e to us , as a mat t e r o f l aw, we2 would be t e rm ina t ed . There was i n s t e ad r epea t ed3 i n v it a ti o n s th a t we fo l lowed th e l e ad o f cu r s i s t e r4 agency , th e Diocese o f Rockford Ca tho l i c Cha r i t i e s , and5 s imp ly bow cu t vo l un t a r i l y and walk away g r a c e f u l l y .6 Our c l i e n t s f e l t th ey cou ld no t in good consc i ence do7 t h a t . They f e l t a r e l i g i ou s miss ion to con t i nue t h e i r8 c h a r i t a b l e work and l eave th e f am i l i e s and ch i l d r en whom9 they s e rv ic e in ste ad of quo t e , stability e ve n p erm an en cy

10 be ing paramount ob j e c t i v e s in s o c i a l we l f a r e s i t u a t i o n s11 such as t h i s .12 Your Honor, th e t e rm in a t i o n happened13 p r e c i p i t o u s l y , F rid ay e ve nin g, j u s t abou t a t th e c l o s e

o f bus ine s s . ,,\]e looked a t it as an o f de s p e r a t i o n .15 Frank ly , he grounds s t a t e d - th e s a l e s t a t ed grounds16 were t h a t we d id no t17 THE COURT: T s hou l dn ' t have t a l k ed over him." ni..O MR. BREJCHA: k a little b i t much t oo ,19 pe rhaps .20 say i s we ha e t aken a good2 look a th e regu a t DS and f ind he ~ e r m i n a t on lS22 no t p rope r f v1 t h cu t a IS 1 n o t ic e , i th o u t o t i c e aD

5 oppo t u ~ ~ t j to be hea rd . as a f e d e r a l t i q a t on24 l 1990 1 t he se he e S -i.- . le h i eh e


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1 h av en 't b r ie fe d LO you because t h e r e was no t e rm i n a t i onment ioned where i ndeed iL was he ld t h a t t h e r e ' s a

3 p r o t e c t ab e p rope r t y i n t e r e s t on th e p a r t o f a c h i l d4 we l f a r e agency in c on tin uin g its r e l a t i o n s h i p . Frank ly ,5 Judge , oppos ng coun s e l s a i d t h ey don ' t ob j e c t , I gue s s ,6 apa r t from t h i s mootness i s s u e to ou r Mot ion fo r Leave7 to F i l e an Amended Supp lemen ta l Compla in t .8 THE COURT: Wel l , I want to do t h i s in l o g i c a l9 sequence , and it seems -l.. l c a ~ to me to ad d re s s th e

10 mootnes s i s s u e .11

12MR. BREJCH1\: All r i g h t , Your Honor .

If we c r o s s t h a t hu rd l e , t h en move on3 to your Motion to F i l e an Amended Compla in t , and if we

14 c r o s s t h a t hu rd l e , then hear th e Mot ion fo r Temporary15 Re s t r a i n i ng Orde r .16 I s t h e r e an n:Ulg e l s e , Counse l ?17 MR. BREJCHA: Your Honor , e ve r y t h i ng i s th e same a s

R has eve r been . We would l i k e to po i n t t h a t ou t .19 There s no , , 'lItUneala e c e s s a t i o n th e relat ons b20 t h e se oa l e s . We a re to d t h a t th e S t a t e lS adv i s e

us of a t r a n s i t 0 some k nd era s i t i eD for t -sseha t fOOO G 11 ren un e r th e ca re o f he

Ca t ho l c arities age Cles a e ce ro e he Cou r t4 KnO'VJ OvJ long Lr e t a k e . +-'s


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24 n_L nates r:L u n l o n coup eSt b u t


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1 manda tes and c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y so th e r i g h t s o f r e l i g i o u s2 agenc i e s such a s t h e se P l a i n t i f f s to c a r r y ou t t h e i r3 r e l i g i o u s mis s i on a s t h ey s e it, and on ly s ub j e c t to4 th e l e a s t r e s t r i c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e , which in t h i s ca se

would be exac t l y what th e s t a t u s quo an t e p r o v i d e s , t h a t6 i s , t h a t we r e f e r o th er fo lk s whom we c anno t in7 con s c i en ce s e r v i c e to o t h e r s , who w i l l t h en and have8 been s e r v i c i ng them adequa t e l y and p romp t l y . \lie t h i n k9 th e model i s here one o f t o l e r an ce and co - ex i s t e n c e ,

10 t h a t 'vJe a re a m o r a l i s t i c s o c i e t y , \'1e have d i f f e r e n tII v iews , bu t under ou r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l regime in th e S t a t e12 o f I l i n o i s , under ou r Illinois la\v, vie can l i v e andii p r o sp e r t o g e t h e r if we r e s p e c t each o t h e r ' s r i g h t s , and14 we would urge in t h i s ca se th e S t a t e of Illinois i s n e t~ do ing t h a t , and urge th e Cour t to r e s t o r e and p r o t e c t16 th e s t a t u s quo an t e . Thank you, Your Honor .

THE COURT: Miss Barnes?Your Honor we l l knows th e e l emen t s o f

19 a p re l im ina ry i n j un c t i o n and TRO, and e t me t a l k a b o u tDC r l r st. T ere1s s imp no eme gency to be e n j o i n e dhe r e . he P l a i n t ~ d o n ' t 3 t ~ ~ i s t me ho ld n t r a c t s

2 to p rov ide f o s t e r ca r e l i c e n s i g s e r ic e s and adoo t i on23 s e r l c e s ! and an s sue a s to how th e i nd i v a la a d24 o a re e l q s e r \ ' dude s


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1 t r a n s i t i o n e d wi th no prob l em , and th e same wi thRockfo rd . Tha t i n vo l v ed 1 ,000 c a s e s in Rockfo rd , and

3 I mean 1 ,000 c a s e s in Ch icago and 300 c a se s in Rock fo r d .4 Prov id e r s have exp r e s s ed interest in t a k i n g5 OVer th e s e c a se s , and t h ey a re w i l l i n g to comply wi th6 S t a t e l aw. These c h i l d r e n a re no t a t r i s k , Your Honor .7 They a re s a fe in p l a c emen t wi th their c a s ewo rke r s , and8 no paymen t s have been wi t hhe l d a s a r e s u l t o f th e f a c t9 t h a t t h e r e a re no more c o n t r a c t s . These c h i l d r e n a re

10 no t go ing to be r i pp ed ou t o f f o s t e r homes t h a t t h ey a r e11 a l r e a d y ~ n 12 no t be l i e v e t h a t th e f a c t s show any13 k ind o f emergency t h a t t h i s Cou r t n e ed s to a d d r e s s ,14 e s p e c i a l l y wi th th e f a c t t h a t t h e r e a r e no c u r r e n t

1516

c o n t r a c t s o r p rov i s on o f th e s e s e rv c e s .With r e s p e c t Lv th e At to rn ey Gene r a l and

17 emergency relief18 THE COuHT: ~ - v h e n VIas th e d e c i s i o n made rene\,-.,] t h e

c o n t r a c t s ? The letter was da t ed Ju l y 8Ll ISS BAFNES: he r e were ongo ing neg tiations

21 because th e c o n t r a c t s nded a t th e en , june.222

THE "

ISS

RT: R. i 9h t .'.['1'1e e were re q e s t s made

2 aope S lS tha[ Lhe co a ts a e s e n t


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1 THE COURT:

2 MISS BARNES: Th i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s ongo ing , Your3 Honor . Deies o f th e S t a t e conduc t th ou sand s o f4 i n v e s t i g a t i o n s annua l l y wi th r e s p e c t to t h e i r5 r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , and th e law doe s n ' t a low th e s ub j e c t s6 o f t h e s e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s to f l ood th e cou r t s with TROs7 ask ing th e Cour t to e n jo in t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n because8 t hey c la im t h a t they d i d n ' t do an h ing wrong o r t h a t9 t h ey don ' t comply wi th th e law o r t h a t t hey c o m p ~ y wi th10 th e l aw. Ce r t a i n l y , at t h i s t h e r e ' s no11 con rove r sy r i p e fo r ad ud i c a t i o n . The AG has t a k en no12 en fo r cemen t a c t i o n . There i s a b l anke t r e co rd o f f a c t s13 fo r t h i s Cour t to even dea w t h , wi th r e s p e c t to any~ a c t i o n o r conc lus ion t h a t th e A tto rn ey Gene r a l ' s Of f i c e

15 has dra\ ' ln, so it i s d i f f i c u l t to see vIhat kind o f - - any16 kind o f equ i t a b e relief t h a t t h i s Cour t cou ld f a sh i on1718

based n t h e s e f a c t s .The e c e r t a i n l y a r e n ' t any g rounds fo r th e

19 P l a i n t i f f s to c a il l t h a t they have a r i a h t to a S t a t e20 con t r a There lS ~ s t a t u t o r y p r c v l s l o n , o21 regu a o ry prov 0 a t th e have a r gh t LU a222

c on t r a c t .o

'vC: t a l n l y , t ~ h i s tLa sitio i ng , \pIh ch lS golU W f does n e t need t a t Cour t o rd e r f t h a t DCFS

_13 coer anci

3

tIs nde s t a nd i n


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1 t h a t so a re th e P l a i n t i f f s wi th r e specL t o t h o se2 transitio i ng .3 T he r e ' s no emergency fo r th e Cou r t to a d d re s s4 t h e r e , and where t h e r e has been no conc l u s i on drawn a s5 to a law en fo rcemen t agency such as th e S t a t e At t o rn ey6 Gene ra l , t h a t any law has even been v i o l a t e d , it i s7 difficult to see what k ind o f i n j u n c t i v e relief th e8 Cou r t cou ld e n t e r . Con t r a ry to wha t th e Plaintiffs'9 coun s e l s t a t e s , t h e se letters s im p ly asked fo r

i n f o rma t i on and a d v ise d th e Plaintiffs t h a t t h ey had --! I t h a t t h i s o f f i c e had r e c e i v ed a r e a u e s t . The r e has been12 no conc l u s i on drawn t h a t t h ey have v i o l a t e d t h i s l aw,~ nor has t h e r e been any t h r e a t o f any kind o f en fo r c emen t1 4 a c t i o n , so it ,::::lc:>es noI: we want th e Cour t to keep

mind t o o , wi th r e s p e c t to r e a sonab l e l i k e i hood o f16 p r e v a i l i g n th e m e r i t s , th e law t h a t a dd r e s s e s th e17 e xe r c i s e o f th e f reedom o f r e l i g i o n p r o h i b i t s th e18 governmen t f rom impos ing th e bu rden , t h a t it p r o h i b i t s~ th e governmen t from compe l l i ng a pe r son o r entity f rom

coerCl:r ;g ccnduc ha t c r dens th e f r e e e x e r c i s eand In s s i t u a e t e ~ y

22 dltterent io e _ a ~ n t l t t s nere 58 a gove rnmenbe efit. vJant s cme th lng f rom th e gvve nment f he s e

4 r< r - " , -s---.r'v\J0L'_ e1


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1 w e - r e gu l a t ed mi itia, DOW do you r e ad th e c l a u s e s .MISS BARNES: Even a s i d e from t h a t , Your Honor ,

3 t h e r e ' s no t h e r e ' s no a l l e g a t i o n here t h a t t h e4 Defendant s have t aken any ac t i on t h a t would compe l th e5 P l a i n t i f f s here compromise t h e i r r e l i g i o u s be i e f s .6 They have dec l i n ed to renew c o n t r a c t s because th e7 P l a i n t i f f s have s a i d , we w i l l no t comply wi th S t a t e law .8 THE COURT: And th e P l a i n t i f f s say that's a9 v i o l a t i o n o f ou r r i g h t s . Tha t ' s th e nu t s h e 1 .

IvIISS Bi\RNES:11 They have - -

It's nOL a v i o l a t i o n o f t h e i r r i g h t s .

12 THE COURT:rvIISS Bll,RNES:

Tha t ' s why we a re having t h i s h e a r i n g .have '1 0 r i g t to a c o n t r a c t , and

l q th e governmen t i s no t compel ing them ~ t ake t h e s ec o n t r a c t s and adm i n i s t e r them in a f a sh ion which f o r c e s

16 them LO compromise t h e i r r e l i g ous b e l i e f s .17 THE COURT: Does th e governmen t have to fo l low t18 o',..;n r u l e ? Does have to fol loyJ t o c?19 r.1ISS BARNES: cou r s e , doe s . l\t t h i s po i n t in20 th e pracee i ng , th e p a r t r e s p e c t o th e c o n t r a c t s

l .S moo t . you e rna e t h a t r u l i n g , u t22 t h a t hey a re o t kely on th e me r i t s th e23 c la im t h a t Liley re e i t l e d to Ci lSC e

o r be eflts.


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THE COURT: You don ' t ge t to p ick and choose wordsL l i k e t h a t . Tha t ' s no t what t hey a re s aYlng . ~ - ' J h a t t h e y3 a re s a y i ng , t h e S t a t e , fo r l a c k o f a better t e rm ,4 hu r t i ng them.5 MISS B,z\RNES: The S t a t e has chosen no t to renew6 vo l un t a r y c n t r a e t s , becau s e th e Plaintiffs have made i t :7 c l e a r t hey have nc i n t e n t i o n o f comp ly ing wi th S t a t e8 la'0l.9 THE COURT: Okay, I unde r s t a nd . An h ing e l s e ? I

10 don ' t mean to cu t yeu o f f . I rea ly d o n ' t .11 Wel l , o t h e r t han I t h i nk t h a t if I12 f a i l to s a t i s f y what k ind of i n j unc t i v e relief th e Cour t

cou ld e n t e r based cn t h e se f a c t s . Tha t ' s why we be l i e v e~ t h a t t he r e a re c e r t a i n l y nc grounds to e n t e r any k ind o f15 pre l im na ry i n j unc t i on a t t h i s po i n t .16 THE COURT: Very cpod . r i gh t : . I have r ead

each and eve ry b r i e f t hu s submi t t e d to t h i s Cour t . I18 have r ead all th e c a se s th u s submi t t ed Cour t ,19 t h a nk fu l l y- p r i o r to t day , because vJest La'l} -L.:> down

c ou r com puter system i s dowD.2 e re su bm it te d.

read r e oase s t a t

Befo r e d ec id in g th e s sue p re im in a ry23 Dlunc t on t e Cou t has to rea let a t Le ' s an

remea 5 5 T +- l 5 no t 5 t a di;t.i Y


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i ~ So don ' t r ead any th ing i n t o g r an t i n g of t h i s2 i n j u n c t i o n . It j u s t means t h e r e ' s a f a i r que s t i o n , and3 based upon th e p ead i ng s in t h i s ca se , th e Cour t f i n d s4 t h e r e i s a f a i r que s t i o n .5 Balance th e equ i t i e s i nvo lved , we l l , t h a t6 i n vo l v e s to oak a t th e en t i r e case its e n t i r e t y .7 The ba l an ce o f equ i t y f a l s on th e s i de o f Ca tho l i c8 Ch a r i t i e s , ' tinen you c on s i d e r \.;;8 a re t a l k i n g abou t , I9 unde r s t and th e S t a t e ' s c l a im , we a re no t go ing to yank

ch i l d r en ou t t h e i r homes. I d i d n ' t t h ink we were , bu t11 t h e r e i s - - t h e r e i s th e po s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e r e wi l l be~ changes t h a t wi l l a f f e c t a lo t of l i v e s he re , and when13 you ba l an ce those e qu i t i e s a g a i n s t th e g r an t i n g o f t h i s14 in ] un c t i o n , it does fallon t h e s i d e o f Ca t h o l i c

15 Cha r i t es . The re fo re , t h i s da t s , I am g r an t i n g a16 p r e ~ l m l n a r y i n j u n c t i o to p l a c e t h i s case back to th e1 1 s t a t u s quo p r o r to b e ing t o l d th ey a re no t go ing to18 renew con t r a c t s .

[VI S3 Barne s , ag ree vl i th u, I c a n ' t en j o i n20 th e At o rn ey G en era l t h e i r en fo rcemen t . I 'm no t do ng

t h a t . a 2 no au tho r ty to a nac vJould be22 e me t e l l i n g a p O ~ l c e depa r tmen t you c a n ' t

ve s t i g a t e th 53 a se , you L ~ a n ' t do vJ a t ev e r . 's no tth e L 0 ~ S power ,


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1 no t go ing to be g ran t ed , bu t .L do g r a n t th e p r e l im in a r y2 i n j u n c t i o n to go back to che s t a t u s quo p r i o r to no t3 r enewing t h e s e c o n t r a c t s pend ing th e outcome o f t h i s4 l e g i s l a t i o n .5 Le t ' s be c l e a r . What I 'm do ing is pu t t i n g a6 f r e e z e on t h i s case un t i l 'vIe can b r i e f th e i s s u e s , haveI l e g a l a rgumen t s and th e Cou r t can i s s u e an op i n i on .8 Now, P l a i n t i f f has a sked fo r an a d d i t i o n a l9 seven days to amend t h e i r Comp l a i n t conce rn ing o t h e r

l s s u e s t h a t have a r i s e n . s u g g e s t I s ugge s t , t h i si s how I ' v e hand l ed t h e s e c a s e s in th e p a s t , t h a t we s e ta b r i e f i n g s chedu l e fo r c r o s s mot ions - - Mot ions fo r

13 Summary Judgment . I doub t we have any f a c t s in d i s p u t ein t h i s

15 ca se?

ca se . Are t h e r e any f a c t s In d i s pu t e t h i s

16

18

t1 SS BARNES:a t 'Chis po i n t .

THE COURT:

, don ' t t h i nk we can de t e rm ine t h a t

TtJell, mean, it 's l e g a l i s s u e s .Well , ye s .

HE COURT: ' tJell f Tfl e t coun s e l g e t t o g e t n e r and2=- de t e rm i e e th e r a t f a c t s in d ispu e 2 a dV l C e v - l OU 1 be t h a t vie sene u le 5U da s down th e3 ecau se an t ~ move t ~ .Loner. 'tJe a re no t

24 c t d \7 S


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file Mot i en s fo r Cross Summary Ju n t , so t h a t2 means -- t h a t means t h a t you wanted seven days . T would3 say t h a t Ca tho l i c Cha r i t i e s ' b r i e f needs to be due Ju ly4 th e 22nd . i s th e 29 th , and we s e t t h i s fo r5 hea r i ng somet ime th e week o f Augus t th e 15 th .6 MISS SIU'


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i s go ing to s t ay in p ace j u s t l i k e this. l . \ ~ r e "Ie c l e a r ?2 tv1ISS BARNES: I f th e o ld con t r a c t s a re in e f f e c t ,3 i s th e Cour t r e qu i r i ng t h a t i n t a ke s be con t i nued?45

THE COURT:s t a y s 1n e f f e c t .

I 'm o rde r i ng t h a t t h i s c a s e , e v e r y t h i n gNoth ing new happens , no new p r ov i d e r s .

6 Th i s c a s e goes back t o June 30 t h .7 tJiISS BARNES: 1IJell, I j u s t ~ I a n t to make su r e I8 unde r s t a nd what th e o rd e r means , and th e o r d e r i s9 t h a t you ' r e ex t end ing -- y ou 'r e o rd er in g DCFS

THE COUET: We a re no t o r d e r i n g any th i ng d i f f e r e n t .We a re no t e t t i n g new c o n t r a c t s . We a re go ing back to

12 June 30 th , and it 's s t a y i n g J US t l i k e t h a t .1314

MISS BARNES:THE COUP-I:

rney exp red on June 30 t h .We a re go ing to ope r a t e as if we a re

go ing under t h i s June 30 th c o n t r a c t . c a n ' t be any16 c l e a r e r t han t h a t , ma'am.1 i MISS BI\.RNES: J ; ~ l l r i g h t , t h ank you .18 THE COUP-I: Tha t ' s 'tihy a l s o , why I 'm do ing it19 qu ick y. So would sugges t t h a t we have a hea r i ng

somet Ime th e eek o f Augus t th e 5 t h . Tha t ' s t e21 ; ~ ~ c u r IS j draw a l u ry t r l a ~ t h a t

L f lU sday .',xJeeK, ex cep t Tuesday a

ou r ' ) n e r , ou l pick: a


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d a t e , one o f t h o se da t e s ?

3THE COURT:r.1R. BREJCHA:

Tha t ' s why I have my c a l e nda r wi th me.Any day t h a t week is f i n e f e r th e

4 Plaintiffs.5 THE COURT: T would s u g g e s t Monday, 9 o ' c l o ck in6 th e mornlng .78

MR. BREJCHA:THE COURT:

viha t ?, would s u g g e s t Monday a t 9 o ' c l o ck in

9 th e morning . T unde r s t and you fo lk s a re coming fromChicago . I apo lo9 i ze .

[viP, BREJCH1\:

12 be h e r e .No, t h a t I S 3 .11 r i g h t , Judge . 'lie w i l l

13 THE COURT: So we a re c l e a r , th e 22nd fo r th ePlaintiffs' Motion Summary Judgment i s due . The

LJ 29 th th e S t a t e I s mot ion i s dUE, and a h e a r i n g a t 916 o ' c l o c k , Augus t th e 7 th . Tha t ensu re s that! d o n ' tl! have a j u ry trial.1819 THE COURT:

_ unde r s t and .re t h e r e any ques i on s?

2 IvlR B R E J C H P ~ : No, Your Honor . WeD d we Dres en t aen o r d e r to y Ll y- gh t 2'f laYt handvJ r i t t en t o r OL l d

you an t one t yped up :3 THE 2 R he SiS 2 docke ry OD t h i s .

L q T he re 's a l s o aver a t i 2 t r a n s c r i p t .


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1 t'o1R. BREJCHi; :THE COURT:

Fine , Your Honer , t h ank you.If ' leu v-Jould like one r I'd be g l a d t o

3 s ign one , bu t I t h ink my o rd e r i s f a i r l y c l e a r .4 BEEJCHA: It i s very c l e a r , Your Honor , and

6 do .t a k to coun s e l if we need one . I don ' t t h i nk we

78

THE COURT:~ 1 R . BREJCHA:

Very ( jood.Thank you, Judge , v e ry much.

9

12 I13

16- i f

lb

19

(The p roceed ings were conc l uded . )


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2

45

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUITSANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS

~ Andrea S. Pryo r , an Of f i c i a l Cour t Repor t e r6 fo r th e C i r c u i t Cour t o f Sangamon County , Seven th7 J ud i c i a l C i r c u i t o f Illinois, do hereby c e r t i f y t h a t I8 r epo r t ed in sho r t hand th e p roceed ings had on th e hea r i ng9 in th e above - en t i t l e d cause ; t h a t I t h e r e a f t e r caused

10 th e fo rego ing to be t r a ns cr ib ed in to t y p ew r i t i n g , which11 1 hereby c e r t i f y t c be a t r u e and a c cu r a t e t r a n s c r i p t o f12 he p roceed ings had be fo re John S chm id t , Judge o f s a i d1 Cour t .14

161 '!

181920)1

2

23 Dated

cs 13 th d2

2


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o

22,000 t1] 12:222,200 [1] - 27:92,300i1] - 27:92007[2; - 21:8, 21:122011 !5i - 1:22, 14:22,38:12,38:17,42:24

2011MR254 [1] - 4:12014[1] - 17:120th[1]10:15217 [1J - 2:2422ndr2j- 38:4, 40:1329th i2i - 38:4, 40:152d [1] + 9:23

330 [2] - 11 :22, 37:2230day i2i - 16:21,17:7

300[1)- 28:330th (5) - 38:12, 38:17,39:6,39:12,39:13,39:15

5

6Oi:J - 27:1362701 [1] + 2:2368 92 2

applies [3] + 8:4, 22:8,32:12

apply!4) -18:7,18:10,22:5,32:12

appreciate p) - 24:12area t11- 27:10argue!2] 17:23, 19:4argumentI51- 19:7,19:12,19:14,24:4,24:5

arguments [2J - 18:7,37:7

arisen (1] 37:10arrangement [21 9:12,9:13

articulated (2J - 18:6,20:11

ascertainable [4J 19:9,24:14,35:4.35:10

aside (2) - 7:7,33:2Assembly!2i - 21:19,23:12

Assistant!2] 2:7, 5:9assure [3] - 22:7

Transcript of Preliminary Injunction Supporting Catholic Charities Right to Continue Adoption & Foster Care Services

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