“Free Exercise of Religion on Display in the Capitol” (Illinois Family Spotlight #125)

This edition spotlights the nativity in the state capitol with Thomas Brejcha from the Thomas More Society.

Tom and Monte Larrick discuss free speech, bringing nativity scenes to state capitols nationwide, religious freedom at risk in Illinois with democratic supermajorities and governor, what the Thomas More Society does over the country, sidewalk counseling and the bubble-zone lawsuit, an update on lawsuits combating taxpayer funding of abortion and Illinois’ abortion referral law, a threat to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the importance of retaining Illinois’ parental notification of abortion, and legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia.… Continue Reading

More Rauner Hypocrisy Revealed

Written by David E. Smith

This past weekend, incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner appeared on the Flannery Fired Up political program on Chicago’s local Fox32 station (WFLD). During this thirty-minute weekly program, political reporter Mike Flannery went one-on-one with Rauner, covering a number of state issues.

What caught my attention and got me fired up was their discussion about the structural imbalance of the Illinois state budget. In their exchange, Rauner had the audacity to complain that healthcare costs for state employees are “out of control,” rightly saying that it healthcare is “broken.” Rauner claims that the state could save three-quarters of a billion dollars a year by revamping healthcare plans for state employees.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Illinois General Assembly Session Recap

Written by David E. Smith

In this week’s podcast episode, Illinois Family Institute lobbyist Ralph Rivera and contract lobbyist Mark Johnson join Monte Larrick to discuss some of the action, and inaction, that occurred during the spring Illinois General Assembly session.

Rivera and Johnson weigh in on Illinois’ new budget, the possibility of a tax increase after the November election and the House resolution proposing a progressive income (“fair tax”) plan, as well as the danger of an even greater Illinois Exodus than we’ve experienced to date.… Continue Reading

David Daleiden’s Best Videos Are Still to Come (Illinois Family Spotlight #086)

State Representative Peter Breen joins Monte Larrick on this edition of our weekly podcast to comment on the State of Illinois funding abortions and the Illinois governor’s race. Representative Breen is an attorney with the Thomas More Society, who represents Mr. Daleiden (the undercover videographer) before the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to Rep. Breen, “Our greatest threat right now as a people of life, of faith, is losing hope and thinking we’ve lost.”

The battles continue in Illinois, for example, on the issue of taxpayer funded abortion.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Abortion is Expanding in Illinois

Written by John Biver

Ann Scheidler, the Executive Vice President of the Pro-Life Action League, joins Monte Larrick to discuss the Sanctity of Life in Illinois.

Background

Since HB 40 (taxpayer funding for abortion) has been enacted,  a new Planned Parenthood has popped up in Flossmoor, with an abortion clinic in the works for Rockford, with rumors of three or four additional abortion mills surfacing throughout the state.

With Republican governor Bruce Rauner signing HB 40 and permitting taxpayer funded abortions, it is expected that the number of abortions will greatly expand in Illinois.… Continue Reading

“Abortion is Expanding in Illinois” (Illinois Family Spotlight #083)

Ann Scheidler, the Executive Vice President of the Pro-Life Action League, joins Monte Larrick to discuss the Sanctity of Life in Illinois.

Since HB 40 (taxpayer funding for abortion) has been enacted,  a new Planned Parenthood has popped up in Flossmoor, with an abortion clinic in the works for Rockford, with rumors of three or four additional abortion mills surfacing throughout the state.

With Republican governor Bruce Rauner signing HB 40 and permitting taxpayer funded abortions, it is expected that the number of abortions will greatly expand in Illinois.… Continue Reading

New Jeanne Ives for Governor Ad Highlights Leftist Personal PAC’s Support of Rauner

Written by John Biver

A new ad for the Jeanne Ives for Governor campaign titled “Rauner’s Friends” brings attention to the support Bruce Rauner is receiving from radical left-wing organizations like Personal PAC.

The ad points out that Personal PAC has spent four million dollars “helping Mike Madigan defeat conservatives.” Why would a pro-Madigan political action committee that opposes conservatives support a Republican governor for re-election?

The ad explains: “Personal PAC is a pro-abortion group with the history of also funding Planned Parenthood.”

While the Leftist Personal PAC supports “Republican” Bruce Rauner, it is attacking Rauner’s Republican primary opponent Jeanne Ives.… Continue Reading

Will State Lawmakers Be Working in Springfield Before the Primary?

Written by John Biver

Monte and Dave are back with Ralph Rivera, a lobbyist for Illinois Right to Life Action and Illinois Family Institute.

This week’s edition of Spotlight features a discussion about the March 20th primary, the lawsuit surrounding HB 40, a bill enacting taxpayer funding of abortion, SB 1564 a bill that forces medical personnel to refer women to abortion clinics, the sanctuary state legislation signed by Governor Rauner, the Equal Rights Amendment, and new legislation concerns, including physician assisted suicide, and recreational marijuana.… Continue Reading

“Illinois Lawmakers Will be Working Before the Primary, Right?”(Illinois Family Spotlight #076)

Monte and Dave are back with Ralph Rivera, a lobbyist for Illinois Right to Life Action and Illinois Family Institute.

This week’s Spotlight features a discussion about the March 20th primary, the lawsuit surrounding HB 40, a bill enacting taxpayer funding of abortion, SB 1564 a bill that forces medical personnel to refer women to abortion clinics, the sanctuary state legislation signed by Governor Rauner, the Equal Rights Amendment, and new legislation concerns, including physician assisted suicide, and recreational marijuana.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: A Creche on Display in the Illinois Rotunda

Written by David E. Smith

The Springfield Nativity Scene Committee* (SNSC) recently held its annual opening day ceremony for their privately sponsored and funded display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.  This display marks the 10th straight year that this display has had a place in the center of the State Capitol Rotunda.  This is possible, thanks in large part to the help of the Thomas More Society, including our guest Tom Brejcha. … Continue Reading