Walk the Precinct, Change Illinois

Written by John Biver

Here is the second of two videos aimed at encouraging more Christian conservatives to run for Precinct Committeeman. IFA’s Dave Smith is joined by northern Illinois activist Jan Klaas, and the Illinois Leadership Project’s chairman Jim Edwards.

Here is Dave’s strong introduction to this important and informative discussion:

I really want our viewers and our listeners to understand that the state of Illinois is in the position that its in right now…because people of faith — conservative Christians are just not engaged the way they should be… If more of us were engaged things would look a lot different.

School Funding Bill Compromise: ‘CPS Got Bailed Out and We Made Promises We Can’t Keep’

Written by John Biver

Earlier this month, the Illinois General Assembly approved a school funding bill compromise that Governor Bruce Rauner supports. The Illinois News Network reports:

“For far too long, too many low-income students in our state have been trapped in underfunded, failing schools,” Rauner said in a statement. “The system needed to change. We have changed it. We have put aside our differences and put our kids first. It’s a historic day for Illinois.”

Illinois Democrats Collude for JB Pritzker

Written by David E. Smith

The deceitful media has talked a lot about electoral “collusion” on the national level, but there is a clear case of collusion here in Illinois and we haven’t heard a peep about it.

During the Spring session of the Illinois General Assembly, Democratic lawmakers passed  House Bill 40, on a party line vote (62-55 in the House on April 25th and 33 to 22 in the Senate on May 22nd).… Continue Reading

Conservative Christians Needed to Step Up

Monte Larrick’s introduction to the video posted below says it well:

“You see and feel what’s happening in Illinois…high taxes…fiscal chaos…businesses and your hard-working friends leaving the state…a liberal social agenda…and we can’t just blame Democrats for the mess in Illinois when too many Republicans are contributing to our state’s downfall.”

While there is much to cause despair, the truth is that Christian conservatives can make a huge impact — especially when it comes to the workings of the Republican Party.… Continue Reading

Get Involved Locally. You Might Just Save the Country.

Written by David E. Smith

Lest you think Illinois Family Action is being overly dramatic with that headline, you should know that we borrowed it from The Daily Signal, the news publication of the renowned Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.

In the article, writer Slade O’Brien lays out an encouraging argument for Americans to get involved:

While much of the media focuses on lawmakers in Washington clunking heads and getting little done, the common narrative has been that change is a pipedream.

Government as Family: Illinois’ ‘First Lady Launches Illinois Family Connects’

Written by John Biver

The Illinois state government’s fiscal condition has been a national news story for some time – even the butt of jokes and sarcasm as illustrated by this headline:

State That Can’t Pay Its Bills Gets Obama Holiday

(In case you missed that Obama holiday news, click here.)

That means it’s time for a new state-sponsored program, wouldn’t you say?

Back in May, the Office of the Governor broke the news with these four paragraphs (I’ve bolded a few passages for emphasis):

First Lady Launches Illinois Family Connects

FREEPORT — First Lady Diana Rauner is celebrating the launch of the Illinois Family Connects pilot program, a universal newborn support system.

Former Miss America Wants to Unseat Lisa Madigan as Illinois Attorney General

Written by Dan McCaleb

Former Miss America Erika Harold announced Tuesday that she plans to seek the GOP nomination for Illinois attorney general with hopes of taking on Lisa Madigan next fall.

An attorney from Urbana, Harold in 2012 and 2014 unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 13th District.

Harold is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She says she entered the Miss America pageant to help fund her graduate education at Harvard Law School.… Continue Reading

Illinois Republicans Set National Record for Losing Elections

Written by John Biver

The Illinois News Network reported some big news about a new national “political power” record that was set this week:

Illinois’ longest serving House speaker is now the United State’s longest serving statehouse speaker.

The title was held for years by a South Carolina politician from the 1970s, but the title now goes to Chicago Democrat Michael Madigan.

Madigan has been speaker of the Illinois House every year since 1983, except for two years in the 1990s when Republicans were in the majority.

U.S. Supreme Court’s Possible Challenge to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

Written by John Biver

The above headline is from an informative short post by Dennis Bryne over at the “Barbershop.” The topic is “gerrymandering,” the now 200-year-old fight over how legislative district lines are drawn.

Every ten years it’s big news here in Illinois — and, of course — around the country. Following each U.S. census, legislative districts are reapportioned and district lines are redrawn.

Whichever party happens to be in power has the chance to create districts that favor their own candidates.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Tax, Spend, Repeat

Written by David E. Smith

As most readers know, the Illinois General Assembly voted to approve a massive income tax increase on citizens and corporations in Illinois over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed this tax grab as soon as it arrived on his desk. But within two days of his veto, Democrats in the Illinois Senate and House overrode his veto with the help of eleven weak-kneed Republicans.  Ironically, many of these state lawmakers openly acknowledge how fiscally irresponsible the state has been in the stewardship of taxpayer dollars.… Continue Reading