A Nation Divided

Written by Thomas Hampson

We live in a divided nation. The unity we built 250 years ago is now fractured, and our disagreements have become so intense and sometimes so violent that they threaten the very fabric of our civil society.

One of the most volatile flashpoints today is the disagreement over how we enforce our national immigration laws.

Today, across the nation, hundreds of local “sanctuary” jurisdictions openly defy federal authority. We have seen this before.… Continue Reading

The Hidden Crisis of Surrogacy and Child Trafficking with Katy Faust

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this special edition of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s Dave Smith and Alyssa Sonnenburg sit down with Katy Faust to discuss her newly launched child-advocacy campaign, “Greater Than.”

Katy Faust is founder of Them Before Us, a foundation with one goal in mind: to protect the right of a child to their mother and father.

In her new “Greater Than” campaign, organizations, including Illinois Family Institute, are joining the movement to overturn the devastating Obergefell decision, a landmark Supreme Court decision which guaranteed the “right” of two men or two women to enter into a legal “marriage.”… Continue Reading

Sheridan Gorman’s Death – Tragic and Preventable

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

On March 19, 2026, Loyola University Chicago freshman, Sheridan Gorman, was fatally shot by gunman, Jose Medina.

While walking with her friends near Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago, all hoping to see the Northern Lights, a masked gunman, dressed in all black, started opening fire in a seemingly random attack, according to police.

What the media doesn’t want you to know is that this horrific crime was completely preventable.

Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national, was in the United States illegally.… Continue Reading

How Alliance Family Services Saves Lives

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this week’s episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s Dave Smith sits down with Elaine Demoulos and Angela from Alliance Family Services.

Serving the large area of Elgin and Schaumburg, Alliance Family Services is dedicated to protecting the preborn and proclaiming the Gospel to every woman that walks through their door.

“The majority of our clients have never heard the true Gospel. Alliance Women’s Clinics are front-line mission fields, partnering with the local church to reach women vulnerable to abortion with truth, compassion, and hope.

The Voice of Illinois Family Institute: An Interim Word with Monte Larrick

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this special Spotlight episode, IFI’s Dave Smith sits down with Monte Larrick.

Monte Larrick served as Spotlight’s host and IFI’s Media Director who dedicated the 11 years he was at IFI to inform Illinois constituents on important issues with conciseness and clarity.

In this episode, Monte shares untold stories and experiences in his longtime career covering politics for Moody Radio.

This is a nostalgic episode you do not want to miss.… Continue Reading

Transgenderism Introduced as a Mental Illness: Should Christians Support? | Special Guest Dr. Greg Gifford

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this special episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s Jenna Smith and Alyssa Sonnenburg sit down with special guest, Dr. Greg Gifford.

Dr. Gifford is a biblical counselor, Chair of Biblical Studies at the Master’s University, Fellow of Fortis Institute, and host of Transformed, a podcast where everyday issues meet the truth of the Bible.

Recently, Senate Bill 4832 was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly, a bill which would define “transgenderism” as a mental illness under the Illinois Health Code.… Continue Reading

The Candace Owens Problem: Clicks, Chaos, and Conspiracy

Written by Dr. Everett Piper

On Feb. 23, Candace Owens released the trailer for her upcoming “investigative series,” called “The Bride of Charlie,” whereby she removes all doubt (if any remained) that she is either an unhinged, delusional moonbat or just plain evil.

Here is just a smattering of the loony nonsense Ms. Owens continues to peddle as she proves more and more every day that she is completely deranged.

Despite zero evidence to support her claims, Candace Owens persists in suggesting that Erika Kirk and/or other Turning Point USA insiders have been complicit in a broader plot and subsequent cover-up of Charlie Kirk’s murder.… Continue Reading

Social Security in Crisis: Should We Care?

Written by Rev. Thorin Anderson

It is an established fact that the Social Security Trust Fund will be depleted sometime in 2032. What this means is that going forward from that point recipients will receive only what is available from the current withholdings from America’s workers. Social Security administrators are estimating that there will be an approximate 25% reduction in the payouts to America’s retirees.

To most Americans this may appear to be of little consequence, but the ramifications are far more serious than one might think.… Continue Reading

Protecting Minors from Mental Illness: Illinois Bills Against Transgenderism

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s David Smith sits down with two Illinois General Assembly members on new pieces of legislation they have introduced to protect children from the destructive nature of transgender ideology.

State Representative Bill Hauter, M.D., the only medical doctor serving in the Illinois General Assembly — has introduced HB 4482 to prohibit gender-transition medical procedures on children. Read more here.

SB 3842, introduced by State Senator Andrew Chesney, would expand the definition of “mental illness” to include transgenderism, giving Illinois residents who struggle with gender dysmorphia the mental help and assistance many need.… Continue Reading

SB 3572: Illinois Pastors Stepping Up

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

This episode of Illinois Family Spotlight features a conversation between IFI’s David Smith, Pastor Michael Johnson and Pastor Ceasar LeFlore.

Recently, Illinois Senator Neil Anderson introduced Senate Bill 3572, a bill with the express goal of abolishing abortion in the state of Illinois.

“Women are currently being told by the law that it is okay to kill their babies. That is unjust. We want to inform peoples’ conscience with a just law.