Success in Classrooms

Written by John Stossel

Government-run schools keep failing. It shouldn’t surprise us. Monopolies rarely serve customers well.

People call them “public schools,” but “government-run” is more accurate. After all, charter schools are available to the public. Privately run supermarkets are open to the public for more hours than “public” schools are.

International tests show American kids don’t learn as much as kids in other countries. During the pandemic, they did even worse because our teachers unions kept schools closed.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Awake Illinois with Shannon Adcock

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

This Spotlight episode features Shannon Adcock’s speech that she presented at Foundations of Faith and Family Conference.

Shannon Adcock is the founder of Awake Illinois, a grassroots organization that was founded to expose the public schools’ sexualization of children.

In her speech Shannon highlights the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, which protects the “fundamental right of parents to direct the care, upbringing, and education to their children.” She comments,

This [parental right] is fundamental.

SPOTLIGHT: Dave’s Banquet Exhortation

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

The first segment of this episode of Spotlight features remarks made by IFI’s Executive Director David Smith at the annual banquet. The second segment features a Q & A time with Eric Metaxas. You will love how he answers some pressing questions from notable Illinois pastors.

Though our present situation in Illinois celebrates radical abortion policies, an “untenable” immigration crisis, foolish gender confusion and sex-education in our government schools, Dave has encouraging words for his audience:

“Be encouraged.

SPOTLIGHT: Education Freedom: Insights From Sam Sorbo

Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg

This episode of Illinois Family Spotlight features remarks given by Sam Sorbo at Illinois Family Institute’s 2022 Faith, Family, and Freedom Banquet.

Sam Sorbo is an actress, filmmaker, radio host, and a staunch advocate for educational freedom. Her book, They’re Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, chronicles her family’s experience with homeschooling.

In her speech, Sam insightfully notes the lies of the educational framework in America, what true education is, and how parents can fight for their child’s education.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: A Conversation with Larry Elder

In this special episode of Illinois Family Spotlight, Monte Larrick converses with 2024 Presidential Candidate Larry Elder at the 2023 Black Conservative Summit. Larry Elder is a commentator, film-maker, Epoch Times contributor, and is the executive producer of Uncle Tom and Uncle Tom: An American Odyssey.

Larry Elder, in this interview, capitalizes on the importance of black fathers being present in the home, as this is the greatest threat that is facing black America.… Continue Reading

“Busting Myths, Homeschool Style” (Illinois Family Spotlight #254)

Producer’s note: I apologize for not apprising listeners that last week’s podcast (#253) would be one segment and not two. This podcast will have the same format, likewise the third part next week. David Smith, Rich Hartian and their daughters recorded this series of podcasts all at one time, thus the questionable ending last week.

Any homeschooler who’s had any homeschooling experience at all has heard myths about homeschooling. These include the “unsocialized homeschooler,” the homeschooler that has no extra-curricular opportunities, or that poor homeschooler who won’t be able to go to college.… Continue Reading

“Too Far Gone” (Illinois Family Spotlight #240)

According to Laurie Higgins, public schools in Illinois are too far gone – no Christian parent should subject their children to the indoctrination curricula that is being forced on our state’s K-12 students. Laurie was speaking as a featured guest of Janet Parshall on her radio program, In the Market with Janet Parshall, where they discussed the tsunami of radically liberal, pro-LGBTQ and anti-Christian laws and teaching “standards” that are inundating our tax payer-supported public school classrooms.… Continue Reading

“Black Families Matter, Part 2” (Illinois Family Spotlight #212)

Spotlight revisits the recent Black Families Matter rally that was held in south suburban Flossmoor, right next door to the Planned Parenthood abortion center. Latasha Fields delivers a passionate, well-reasoned, and biblically based call for Christian parents to stop advocating for public education and instead take personal responsibility for their children’s instruction. She also addresses the destructive agenda and influence of groups such as Black Lives Matter at School and the New York Times 1619 Project’s K-12 Black History Curriculum in government schools – and their intent to undermine and dismantle the Black nuclear family.… Continue Reading

“Living the Truth in the Context of this Cultural Moment” (Illinois Family Spotlight #202)

More parents are looking to homeschooling and private education as government schools in Illinois face uncertainty because of the CCP virus and pro-LGBT history in classrooms starting very soon. During this time of racial unrest, leftists are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass The Equality Act: the game-changing legislation which would raise sexual attraction and “gender” perception to the same level as race in our laws. BreakPoint commentator John Stonestreet weighs in during this edition of Illinois Family Spotlight.… Continue Reading

“Parental Rights, Religious Liberty and American History” (Illinois Family Spotlight #187)

Latasha Fields, founder and director of CHESS – Christian Home Educators Support System, joins IFI executive director David Smith on this edition of Spotlight. In the first half of the podcast, David and Latasha discuss egregious legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly that aims to eviscerate parental rights and eliminate religious liberty.

State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) recently introduced HB 4870 would mandate the HPV vaccination for ALL Illinois students at the 6^th grade level.… Continue Reading