The Clean Face of a Dirty Business

Written by Thomas Hampson

John Adams’s test of character, the Pritzker story J.B. tells, and the history the polished biographies leave out

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams, October 11, 1798 _[1]

John Adams was not advocating a religious test for office. He was arguing that in self-government, our constitution—our laws—cannot replace character. In the same letter, Adams warned that avarice, ambition, revenge, and other passions, if unrestrained by morality and religion, could break even the strongest constitutional restraints.… 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

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

Illinois Freedom Caucus: “Cut the Waste & Bloat”

Written by David E. Smith

Illinois lawmakers are actively shaping the state’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget as the May 31st legislative deadline approaches. Governor JB Pritzker has proposed a budget of $55.45 billion – an increase of $2.35 billion over last year, but final numbers are still under negotiation.

On May 13, 2025, Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives held a press conference, urging substantial budget reductions. They claimed over $1 billion in wasteful spending, fraud, and abuse could be eliminated to save citizens from new or increased tax proposals.… Continue Reading

Daily Herald Endorses “No” Vote on Amendment 1

Written by John Lopez

On Sunday October 16, the Daily Herald urged a “No” vote on the top-of-the-ballot question on Amendment 1.

Illinois Family Action, like other freedom-loving and higher-taxes-loathing conservative organizations, is grateful for the newspaper’s rejection of Amendment 1. Interestingly, the Herald‘s editorial board also skewered some proponents who tried to use the abortion issue as a reason to vote for Amendment 1.

The Daily Herald on September 29 hosted a joint endorsement session with multiple newspapers around the state. … Continue Reading

Chicago Tribune Endorses NO Vote on Amendment 1

Written by John Lopez

On Monday morning of Columbus Day, the Chicago Tribune issued its first endorsement for the 2022 General Election, and it was a “No” vote on Amendment 1.

“We endorse a no vote.  We support the rights of unions to represent their members and to bargain collectively for the best deal they can secure.  But we do not see an Illinois threat to those rights, and we see this endorsement as an opening to skew the balance of power in the public sector to an unacceptable degree.”

Amendment 1 and Worker Classification, “Other states should become aware and alarmed by these non-progressive and regressive regulations”

Written by John Lopez

Creative artwork of AB5 from Lisa Rothstein, San Diego, CA

This article continues addressing a ballot measure that Illinois voters must vote on this election cycle.
We urge voters to reject Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that
would elevate collective bargaining rights in the Illinois Constitution,
allowing government union contracts to override state law.

Thursday afternoon, the Daily Herald hosted a virtual debate including Shaw Media to discuss Amendment 1 and answer questions. … Continue Reading

National Review: Rauner is the Worst GOP Governor in America

Written by John Biver

Illinoisans have a lot to be proud of — we live in a beautiful state in the heart of America. Our people are hardworking, our soil is among the most productive in the world, our transportation systems are first rate, we have a world-class city and hundreds of great small towns. The list could go on and on.

But to our shame is our state government. Illinois is at or near the top on a lot of bad lists: corruption, tax burden, unfunded liabilities, and debt.… Continue Reading

Two Questions: Could Illinois File Bankruptcy? Why Vote for Tax-Raising Politicians?

Written by John Biver

The news headlines these days should destroy forever the use of the cliché “it can’t get any worse” when the topic is Illinois politics – and that includes Republican, Democrat, fiscal, etc.

The first question in the above headline is from a very unsurprising CBS News report about just how bad things are in Illinois. A few excerpts from the article:

A financial crunch is spiraling into a serious problem for Illinois lawmakers, prompting some observers to wonder if the state might make history by becoming the first to go bankrupt.

State Lawmakers Accused of Pay Raise by Committee