“Parents Are Either Important, or They’re Not” (Illinois Family Spotlight #190)

At the recent SpeakOut Illinois conference, Monte Larrick had the opportunity to connect with Illinois State Senator Dan McConchie of the 26^th district. To begin this edition of Spotlight, Sen. McConchie described his approach to his senatorial responsibilities and gave detailed advice to constituents who want to have productive interactions with their elected officials in Springfield. Monte and Sen. McConchie considered how efforts to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, mandate HPV vaccinations for ALL Illinois youth, and eliminate any religious exemption for immunizations are trampling on parental rights.… Continue Reading

“Let’s Take the Mapping Power from Mike Madigan” (Illinois Family Spotlight #189)

Monte Larrick caught up with Peter Breen, the Vice President and Senior Counsel for the Thomas More Society, at the recent SpeakOut Illinois event in Oakbrook Terrace. They talked about Breen’s candidacy for the 48th House district, his work on the fair maps petition, and the threats to families in Illinois–taking the form of the erasure of parental notice of abortion, the trampling of parental rights with the mandatory HPV vaccine, and the elimination of informed and religious objection to vaccines generally.… Continue Reading

“If you Compromise on Life, It’s Easy to Compromise on Anything Else” (Illinois Family Spotlight #186)

The Reverend Franklin Graham joined Monte Larrick for an interview right before the IFI fall fundraising banquet last year and is featured on this episode. They talked about freedom of speech, why Christians need to be involved in politics, why only God can ultimately change today’s culture, how Rev. Graham believes we can change the education system, where civil disobedience is permitted, the conundrum in Illinois education with the new LGBTQ history mandate, and finally a message from Reverend Graham to the Christians in Illinois.… Continue Reading

“Why Rally, Why March?” (Illinois Family Spotlight #180)

In advance of the upcoming March for Life Chicago, Monte Larrick interviewed Eric Scheidler to talk about the big March, but looming in the background is the recent passage of a big anti-life law in Illinois, which prompts some to ask: why should we rally and march for life?

After that, they discuss activating more people for the pro-life movement, what the Pro-Life Action League does for the unborn, a potential legislative reversal of the parental notice of abortion in Illinois, how constituents could lobby their pro-abortion lawmakers against it, sex trafficking and parental notice, and is abortion coming to the public schools?… Continue Reading

“Merry Christmas! Illinois Lawmakers Gift You More Drugs and Gambling” (Illinois Family Spotlight 176)

This spotlight features an interview with ILCAAAP’s Anita Bedell to discuss seemingly increased vice in Illinois, or maybe just more exposed government corruption. Anita Bedell talks with Monte Larrick about more casinos therefore more gambling, how to fight commercial marijuana, and their combination link to corruption in politics.

“Match Your Passion With Your Action” (Illinois Family Spotlight #173)

According to Brigitte Gabriel, “Two percent of the passionate will always rule the ninety-eight percent indifferent.” As a conservative author, political commentator, and the founder of ACT for America, Ms. Gabriel is definitely passionate about educating and mobilizing Americans to take practical steps to preserve our national identity and protect our country from radical Islam.

Brigitte Gabriel joins Monte Larrick on this week’s Spotlight to discuss a variety of topics including legal immigration, sharia law in U.S.… Continue Reading

“We The People Still Have Authority; We are Not Serfs” (Illinois Family Spotlight #169)

This spotlight centers around the Reverend C.L. Bryant, a Senior Fellow at Freedom Works, and the host of a syndicated radio show, namely, the C.L. Bryant show on Red State Talk Radio.

He joins Monte Larrick to discuss freedom generally, including inattentive politicians locally and nationally, the politics of race, if Trump should triple down smashing Dems for their continuing failed policies while in control of major cities, and a sinister trend of detrimental policies in majority black neighborhoods.… Continue Reading

“They Went Out From Us, But Not Of Us” (Illinois Family Spotlight #162)

This episode features the second part of Calvin Lindstrom’s conversation with Monte Larrick and David Smith about education. They also address the dramatic collapse of some rather high-profile Christian leaders in the recent past, and the shift from biblical principles in some national churches.

How Regressive Legislation Forms Cultural Norms About Key Issues (Illinois Family Spotlight #160)

During this edition of Illinois Family Spotlight, Calvin Lindstrom joins Dave Smith and Monte Larrick at the IFA home studio to discuss the advent of legal pot and what communities can do about it county-wide, Christian influence in areas other than legislative battles, the nuts and bolts of LGBTQ+ history in schools, the importance of Christian private schools, and starting and maintaining Christian schools.

Pastor Calvin Lindstrom is the principal at Christian Liberty Academy and the Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights and is also an IFA board member.… Continue Reading

“So, You Want to Go On Offense?” (Illinois Family Spotlight #133)

David Avignone, the Executive Director of Illinois Citizens for Ethics PAC joins Monte Larrick and David Smith to discuss Illinois’ ethical woes.

They discuss the link between ethical politics and the ethics of supporting abortion, the Chicago mayoral race, bubble zones, what ICE-PAC is up to, combating the tremendous amount of money spent by pro-abortion candidates, and Illinois republicans collective lack of spine and leadership in taking on abortion.

Check out the Illinois Family Institute’s upcoming events here.… Continue Reading