Illinois is Taking Control Away From Parents: What You Need to Know

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, IFI’s David Smith sits down with Thomas Hampson to discuss the pending legislation that is aimed at usurping parental rights.

Thomas Hampson is an Air Force veteran where he served as an intelligence analyst in Western Europe. He served as Chief Investigator for the Illinois Legislation Investigative Commission and served on the Chicago Crime Commission as a Board member.

His investigative work led him to start his organization, Truth Alliance Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.… 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.

A Preventable Death—and a Call to Fix Illinois Law

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Passed in 2017, the Illinois TRUST Act set heavy boundaries on local law enforcement cooperation with federal law enforcement.

Functionally, the Illinois TRUST Act:

• Prohibits local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration law,

• Prohibits detaining individuals for purely immigration status reasons,

• Prohibits local law enforcement from assisting in federal immigration operations, and

• Prohibits local law enforcement from transferring detainees into ICE custody without proper authorization.

Because of this, Illinois is broadly known as a “sanctuary state” for illegal immigrants.… Continue Reading

The “SAFE-T” Act is Anything But “Safe”

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

Passed in 2021, the SAFE-T Act, which stands for Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity- Today Act, gave Illinois a major overhaul of the state’s criminal-justice protocol.

Most notably, the SAFE-T Act put an end to cash bail. Democrat proponents argued that requiring bail unfairly targeted the poor. They claimed that these individuals were detained in jail not because of how dangerous they were, but on whether or not they were able to pay bail.… Continue Reading

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

Millionaire Tax Framed as “Relief” for High Property Tax Burden

Written by David E. Smith

Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently held a press conference at the State Capitol to push for property tax relief. And he’s right about one thing: Illinois property taxes are crushing families. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, our state has the second highest property tax in the nation. And yes, we agree that relief is needed.

But instead of addressing the root problem—out-of-control government spending—Democrats are proposing yet another tax.… Continue Reading

The Fight For Your Kids’ Mind: HB 4966

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

In this important episode, David Smith sits down with David Curtin to discuss House Bill 4966– legislation aimed to expand DCFS services and limit counseling options for gender confused youths.

David Curtin is a veteran pro-life advocate, political consultant, and a lobbyist for the Illinois Family Institute among other organizations.

In the second half of this episode, Illinois Senator Chris Balkema (R-Pontiac) discusses the behind the scenes realities of the political battles in Springfield from the effort to defund abortion to the fight against physician-assisted suicide.… Continue Reading

Tell Your Lawmakers We Need Gas Tax Relief

Written by David E. Smith

Illinois families are constantly being squeezed by state lawmakers, and this is especially true at the gas pump.

State Representatives Regan Deering (R-Decatur), C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), and Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) are calling for immediate relief through House Bill 5738, which would suspend the state’s sales tax on gasoline for six months. At current prices, that would mean roughly 20 cents per gallon back in the pockets of Illinois families.

As gasoline prices climb above $4.00 per gallon in many parts of the state, Illinois drivers are paying not only for global energy pressures, but for one of the highest gas tax burdens in the nation.… Continue Reading

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