The central element of the recently passed [Illinois] state law legitimized civil unions which, according to the state, means Catholic Charities can no longer deny gay couples the right to be foster parents just because they are gay.

So the contract between the state and Catholic Charities to administer foster care was not renewed. Catholic Charities would not agree to that and sued.

A Sangamon County judge wisely called a timeout until a decisive Aug. 17 hearing. That means the 2,000 foster children assigned by Catholic Charities will stay where they are for now.

In Cook County, it won’t mean much. The Archdiocese of Chicago isn’t involved in this dispute because it quit offering foster care and adoption services on behalf of the state in 2007. But for hundreds of displaced and at-risk children in Will County, this is fraught with danger if it’s not handled with some wisdom.