Community Affairs

Ms. Marilou Gervacio is the CCI staffperson for the Community Affairs Department.


Priorities

The Community Affairs Department has established the following priorities:

• Advocate for reform of the criminal justice system, including initiatives for restorative justice and the abolition of the death penalty.
• Support policies that reduce racism and promote the understanding of issues affecting the immigrant community.
• Promote efforts to increase affordable housing for Illinois' low-income families and individuals.
• Advocate for a just public assistance program that rewards work, reduces poverty, and moves individuals to self-sufficiency.
• Advocate for improvement in access to and the delivery of mental healthcare services, including to those in prisons, jails and the juvenile justice system.

Under the Community Affairs Department, CCI also coordinates activities of the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform – Illinois Statewide Network and the Illinois Catholic Prison and Jail Ministry Network.

Department Members

Following is a list of members of the Community Affairs Department and the Diocese which they represent:

• Mr. David Spotanski - Belleville
• Mr. Nicholas Lund-Molfese - Chicago, Chair
• Mrs. Kathy Kregor - Joliet
• Mr. Thomas Garlitz - Joliet
• Msgr. Doug Hennessy - Peoria
• Msgr. Glenn Nelson - Rockford
• Sr. Jane Boos - Springfield-in-Illinois
• Dr. James Forstall - Springfield-in-Illinois