Skip to Main Content

Bishops Sign Joint Statement on Sports Betting

Posted: June 26 2018 at 01:08 PM

Bishop Sally Dyck and Illinois Great Rivers Bishop Frank J. Beard are expressing their concerns on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision clearing the way for states to legalize sports betting, striking down a 1992 federal law that had prohibited most states from authorizing sports betting.

"As United Methodists, we have long held that 'gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic and spiritual life [and] destructive of good government' (Social Principles, ¶163G). Our concern for Illinoisans is the seduction of an easy way out of our state's financial mess with unfunded pension liabilities and a backlog of unpaid bills. Advocates will once again parrot a familiar refrain that we can solve our financial problems on someone else's dime." 

Read the full statement here.

For resources and advocacy contact Anita Bedell, Executive Director of ILCAAAP at 217-546-6871 or through the website www.ilcaaap.org.  

News & Announcements

Rev Hannah Offering Communion Cmyk

With Warm Faith, Pastors Seek to Counter ICE

United Methodists are striving to lead courageously as their cities face threats of militarization and an onslaught of masked federal agents. In both the Northern Illinois (and othe…

Jesus Wouldnt Do This Sign At Protest Cmyk

The Connectionalism of Rapid Response

Trained and ready, church members have quickly mobilized to assist those affected by ICE raids and detentions. Their response is a part of the Chicagoland United Methodist Rapid Response n…

Hispanic Latinx Ministry Celebracion Logo 2025 Cmyk

‘Pilgrim People Under God’s Grace’ Gather for the Hispanic/Latine Celebration

The Northern Illinois Conference Hispanic/Latinx community celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Oct. 18 with a virtual gathering centered on…

Comehomeletters

What It Means to Be a Reconciling Church

The people of Friendship United Methodist Church in Bolingbrook, a Reconciling community, aim to move from saying “all are welcome” to living “all are home.” 

Print