Advocacy Groups Caution Illinois On Grants To Religious Organizations

Americans United and the Anti Defamation League in a joint letter (full text) to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity cautions the state about proceeding with $40 million in grants to 97 religious institutions without instituting proper safeguards. The letter warns that state agencies need to put in place effective safeguards to assure that the funds are used only for secular, neutral and non-ideological purposes. It also says that cash payments should not be made to pervasively sectarian institution. Yesterday's Chicago Tribune reports that the grants are part of a $31 billion infrastructure improvement bill signed last month by the Governor. (See prior related posting.)