*** UPDATE *** The Catholic Conference of Illinois has responded to the governor’s comments by saying he dodged the issue…

“Governor Quinn’s statement today that he is recognizing a rape victim for her advocacy work dodges the issue. Our hearts go out to any victim of rape, one of the most personally violent crimes against women,” said Mary Massingale, director of communications.

“He is presenting an award – titled the Pro-Choice Leadership Award – at an event hosted by Personal PAC, an organization that describes itself as a ‘political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office in Illinois.’ This action is irreconcilable with any honest profession of the Catholic faith, and it is what prompted the Bishops’ statement.”

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Yesterday, Cardinal George and all Illinois Catholic bishops issued an open letter blasting Gov. Pat Quinn for presenting an award at a Personal PAC event, saying the governor was now going beyond “supporting the legal right to kill children in their mother’s wombs” to the point of “rewarding those deemed most successful in this terrible work.”

The governor was asked about the statement today…

“I am going to the event to present an award to a woman who was a victim of rape and who is a very strong advocate of helping rape victims all over our state [and] our country,” Quinn said after an appearance in Chicago to announce state funding to overhaul the CTA’s Red Line. “I really feel that’s a proper, Christian thing to do to honor someone who’s doing someone that helps the community at large.”

Asked whether he’s offended that George and the other bishops were questioning his credentials as a Roman Catholic, Quinn said, “No, I just follow my conscience. That’s all you can do in life.”

* Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove…

“The governor is saying a few kind words about a woman who has been raped and had the courage to tell her story,” Cosgrove said. “The Catholic Bishops attacking him for that and accusing women of killing their children is a new low in public discourse, even for them.”

* The woman being honored by Quinn was featured in a Personal PAC TV ad last year…

Powerful stuff. Personal PAC’s ads, mailers and phone calls did more to elect Pat Quinn governor than anything else last year. Quinn defeated pro-life Catholic Bill Brady.

* Whether or not you agree with the Cardinal and the bishops, this is still a free country and they have a right to voice their opinion. If Quinn was presenting an award at a pro-life fundraiser, I’m sure Cosgrove would have something to say about it. If Quinn was an AFSCME member, he’d have lost his union card by now.

So, please, try to keep your “separation of church and state” notions in line with reality when you comment. Thanks.

* In other news, three Republican legislators from Springfield say they doubt that any major pension reforms will surface next week…

Springfield’s lawmakers said Wednesday they do not think a bill revamping pensions for current state employees will be called for a vote during the remaining three days of the veto session.

Appearing before The State Journal-Register editorial board, Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, and Reps. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, and Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg, also said they might consider a borrowing plan for the state if the money could be repaid in less than a year and Gov. Pat Quinn specifies exactly how the borrowed money will be spent. […]

“I’m inclined to think it won’t occur this year, nor will it in the spring,” Bomke said.

His argument is that lawmakers face elections next year and will be running in newly drawn districts, making them reluctant to deal with a controversial issue like changing pensions.

Springfield Republicans probably aren’t the best source for news about pension reform, for obvious reasons, but they’re not alone in predicting a lack of action. We’ll see soon enough.

* Roundup…

* CTA plans $1 billion L overhaul to quicken commutes, fix stations

* Quinn’s picks for Illinois Racing Board mum on slots at tracks

* Editorial: Slots at tracks a cure-all? Maybe not

* Frustration abounds after Tinley Park Mental Health Center hearing

* Tinley Park Mayor Says the Health Center Has a ‘Checkered’ Past but Has ‘Always Served a Real Purpose’

* Bill at Statehouse seeks access to health records for survivors