Illinois Congressional Democrats Reject Bill Protecting Parents’ Rights

Written by David E. Smith

The U.S. House of Representatives took an important step this week, when it passed H.R. 2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, by a vote of 217-198. The legislation seeks to safeguard parental rights by ensuring that schools cannot hide major decisions regarding a child’s gender identity from moms and dads. This legisation would also require schools to notify parents if school staff encourage or facilitate a child’s “social transition” at school.… Continue Reading

Rep. Niemerg Sounds Alarm Over Noncitizen Voter Registration Mailings

Written by David E. Smith

Last week, we reported on comments made by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Effingham) in which he raised serious concerns after discovering that the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) had sent voter registration materials to noncitizens applying for state assistance. That revelation alone sparked widespread concern and raised an obvious question: Why would a state agency be placing voter registration materials into the hands of individuals who are not legally eligible to vote?… Continue Reading

Red Flags in Springfield: Bills That Should Alarm Parents

Written by David E. Smith

Rather than strengthening families and reinforcing accountability, these proposals continue to sideline parents and replace parental authority with government control.… Continue Reading

Why Are Noncitizens Receiving Voter Registration Forms?

Written by David E. Smith

Illinois State Senator Steve McClure (R-Effingham) continues to sound the alarm over election integrity as it pertains to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the distribution of voter registration materials to illegal immigrants applying for state benefits.

In a January 7, 2025 press release, McClure revealed that IDHS had been sending packets to noncitizens that included “pre-filled” voter registration applications already addressed to county clerk offices. He warned that such practices create confusion and could open the door to unlawful voter registration.… Continue Reading

Dulce Quintero: “They/Them” Secretary of IDHS

Written by David E. Smith

JB Pritzker appointed Dulce Quintero in September 2023 as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), making Quintero the first gender-confused appointee to lead a statewide agency in Illinois. She was re-appointed and confirmed by Illinois Senate Democrats earlier this week.

Quintero is an LGBTQIA+ activist who was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2017 in recognition of her advocacy and leadership on behalf of LGBTQIA+ youth in Chicago.… Continue Reading

The Affordability Crisis Fostered by Government Policies

Written by David E. Smith

Americans are feeling the squeeze. Housing costs, groceries, insurance, utilities, gasoline, and property taxes continue to rise while many families are scrambling to figure out how to pay all the bills. Young adults are delaying marriage, homeownership, and starting families because the American Dream feels increasingly out of reach.

A new report from The Heartland Institute argues that the affordability crisis devastating many American families is not primarily the result of “greedy corporations” or “market failure,” but rather years of destructive government policies, inflationary spending, overregulation, and economic mismanagement.… Continue Reading

The Gen Z Paradox: Rising Faith, Collapsing Worldview

Written by David E. Smith

A new survey from Arizona Christian University and researcher Dr. George Barna reveals a troubling contradiction within Generation Z: while more young people are identifying as Christians, very few actually hold a biblical worldview.

According to the study, Gen Z is showing increased interest in matters of faith. More young adults claim to be Christians, report a deeper commitment to practicing their beliefs, and say they are reading the Bible regularly.… Continue Reading

SCOTUS Redistricting Ruling Sparks Pushback from Pritzker

Written by David E. Smith

Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on race-based redistricting, calling it “an attack on a crown jewel of our democracy.”

The Court ruled 6–3 that Louisiana’s addition of a second majority-black congressional district constituted an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The decision is expected to narrow how the Voting Rights Act is applied moving forward—particularly in cases involving race-based districting.

Speaking to Chicago media, Pritzker said,

“Illinois is the proud home of having sent more black members of Congress to Washington than any other state in the country.

SAFE-T Act Reform Urgently Needed

Written by David E. Smith

Christine Shanahan McGovern, a Republican candidate for Illinois Senate District 18, recently attended a press conference calling for major reforms in the Illinois SAFE-T Act. This legislation, enacted in 2021, represents the most significant overhaul of the criminal justice system.

One of the major controversial components was the elimination of cash bail. In the years since it has gone into effect, critics of this soft-on-crime legislation point out that the elimination of cash bail also limits a judges’ ability to detain individuals deemed dangerous, potentially releasing repeat or violent offenders back into communities and increasing the risk of re-offending.… Continue Reading

Illinois Democrats Push Redistricting. Again.

Written by David E. Smith

Rigging the Map 

On Monday, April 20, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch filed House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28 (HJRCA 28), a proposal to amend the state constitution and redefine how legislative and congressional districts are drawn.

After suspending the rules to fast-track this legislation, House Democrats moved the measure out of committee on a partisan vote. It was quickly moved to the House floor where the Democrats voted 74 to 38 to pass it.… Continue Reading