SPOTLIGHT: Lobby Your Lawmakers

Written by David E. Smith

If you’ve ever wondered how best to effectively communicate with your state representatives and senators, this edition of Spotlight will be of special interest to you!

In a presentation at the 2019 SpeakOut Illinois conference, former state representative Peter Breen gives us an insider’s view of the life of a legislator and offers valuable tips for interacting with those individuals who are hard against an issue, hard in favor of an issue, or “neutral.”… Continue Reading

Old Fashioned and Modern Day Election Fraud

Written by Jane Ryan Carrell

Let’s look at some of the early forms of election fraud.  A historian might tell us of elections two centuries ago, but we won’t go back that far. Instead, let’s consider forms of fraud practiced in Chicago in the Richard J. Daley era: the fifties, sixties and early seventies. Daley died of a heart attack Dec. 20, 1976 at the age of 74, after being elected in 1975 for his sixth 4-year term, holding office until his death.… Continue Reading

Draining the Swamp Begins Here at Home

Written by James Blair

The 1912 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois Volume 2 describes Sangamon County, home of Springfield as the “…low swamp lands in Sangamon County, and the green coated stagnant ponds that stood from year to year, filling the atmosphere with so much malaria that almost every man, woman, and child in the county were more or less afflicted with chills and fever…”  Here in 2020 the physical swamp is gone, but a bureaucratic swamp remains stifling the growth of Illinois.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: 2019 Year in Review

Written by David E. Smith

As we prepare to greet a new year – and a new decade – it is fitting that we also take a look back at the issues and events that were at the heart of IFI’s work this year. Kathy Valente, IFI Director of Operations and Mary Nieves, IFI Development Officer, join the energetic Spotlight duo of David Smith and Monte Larrick for a recap of 2019. They discuss new, regressive legislation (specifically the legalization of recreational marijuana and extreme pro-abortion legislation), increased taxation, corruption, and ethics reform, as well as the success of the spring pro-life rally in Springfield and our very informative Worldview Conference on “Trans” Ideology.… Continue Reading

Will County GOP Board Member Running for Congress

Written by Steve Balich

Will County board member Mike Fricilone, a 65-year-old Homer Glen resident who works as a sales manager for a furniture retailer, recently filed his petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections as a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District. He will face two other Republicans in the March 17th primary election.

The district is located on the south and southwest side of Chicago and it’s suburbs, including Oak Lawn, Burbank, Summit, Hickory Hills, Palos Hills, Homer Glen, Orland Hills, Lockport and Lemont.… Continue Reading

Illinois Conservative Union Demands Voter Registration Records

Written by Jane Ryan Carrell

There’s exciting news for Illinois voters concerned about the integrity of our elections! A statewide organization, Illinois Conservative Union (ICU), has given notice to the state election authority that it must provide ICU a copy of the state voter rolls, or face a lawsuit.

ICU, an Illinois civic organization, contacted the Illinois State Board of Elections in July, requesting the Illinois voter list data file. The data file is required for analysis by the ICU Election Integrity Program to ensure that the state is conducting proper list maintenance as required by federal law.… Continue Reading

Pastor and State Rep Candidate Models Holy Courage

Written by David E. Smith

God desires for His people to walk in righteousness and stand for truth, justice and the sanctity of life. His Word instructs us to be bold and courageous, to expose what is wicked, and to uphold what is right, honorable and praiseworthy.

Unfortunately, God’s people often fail to step up to the challenge in our hostile and dark culture. But those who answer God’s call and become bold truth tellers are worth highlighting, because it encourages us to emulate them.… Continue Reading

Dr. Eric Wallace Needs Your Help to Get on the Ballot!

Chicago Is Tough On Guns And Soft On Crime, And The People Suffer

Written by Daniel Horowitz

It’s the sort of gun violence that happens every day, but is conveniently ignored by those who hate guns, except in the hands of repeat violent offenders. A seven-year-old girl was out trick-or-treating with her father in Chicago dressed up as a bumblebee. Suddenly, they were caught in the crossfire of a Latin Kings gang war, and the child was shot in the neck and chest.

While the identity of the suspected gunman has not yet been revealed, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the target of the gunfire was a 32-year-old Latin King man “with a record of drug and assault arrests.”… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Black Robe Pastor and State House Candidate Cory Musgrave

Written by Benjamin Smith

Pastor Cory Musgrave joined Monte Larrick on this edition of Illinois Family Spotlight to discuss his invocation on the Illinois House floor earlier this year.

State Rep. Darren Bailey invited Pastor Musgrave to open the Illinois House in prayer, and Pastor Musgrave took the opportunity to ask God to forgive us for the recent passage of a radical abortion expansion bill that will result in even more innocent bloodshed.

He also answers questions about why he is running for Illinois State Representative in the 109^th district (current State Rep.… Continue Reading