Election 2022 Recap

Written by David E. Smith

The hope in a “Red Wave” election didn’t come to fruition in November. The work to flip the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to Republican control produced mixed results.

The GOP barely gained control of the U.S. House, which means Nancy Pelosi will no longer be the Speaker of the U.S. House, and third in line to the presidency.

Of our state’s 17 Congressional seats, three downstate districts have Republican representation, as we lost one to redistricting and one to a Democrat candidate in the newly redrawn 13^th district in central Illinois.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: The Ultimate Guardrail For Your Daughters

Written by Jenna Smith

To the great sorrow of pro-life, pro-family citizens of Illinois, on December 17, 2021,  Governor JB Pritzker signed into law House Bill 370, thereby repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act and eliminating the right for parents to be made aware of a minor daughter’s pregnancy and impending abortion.

Joining me for an important Spotlight conversation are IFI contributors Kenna Rose and Alyssa. Please listen as we discuss the impact of the repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act and the repercussions of HB 370, the disingenuously named Illinois Youth Health and Safety Act.… Continue Reading

Pritzker Repeals Parental Rights and Biden Facilitates Mail-Order Abortions

Written by David E. Smith

Over the past few days, we’ve seen a setback in the cause for sanctity of life. In their pursuit of women’s so-called “autonomy,” abortion cheerleaders have successfully secured some dangerous policy victories.

On Friday afternoon, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the euphemistically titled “Youth Health and Safety Act” (HB 370), which repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. By adding his signature to this repeal, Governor Pritzker—and the 94 Democrats who voted for it—usurp parental rights to be involved in major health decisions of their minor daughters by removing the last major abortion restriction in the state of Illinois.… Continue Reading

PODCAST: Defying Scriptural Hierarchies in Every Way Possible

Written by Benjamin Smith

For better or worse, the Illinois General Assembly is back in session and a plethora of controversial, radical, and just plain ridiculous bills are scheduled for consideration. Monte Larrick and David Smith are joined by Jenna Smith, David’s oldest daughter, as they discuss the compelling reasons to retain the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Jenna shares her perspective as an older teen and articulates the devastating mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences that could impact young girls (17-years and younger) if parental notification is repealed.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Anti-Life Legislation, Parental Rights and Sex Trafficking

Written by David E. Smith

Legislation has consequences. Good legislation can bring about beneficial improvements and protections, but unwise legislation can have harmful, devastating effects on the people who must abide by it. With that dichotomy in mind, this edition of Spotlight takes an in-depth look at the ramifications of repealing Illinois’ Parental Notice of Abortion Act by considering its impact on the unborn child, the underage mother-to-be and her parents, compassionate and helpful pregnancy center workers, and Planned Parenthood’s bottom line.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: In Defense of Parental Notice of Abortion

Written by David E. Smith

Parents for the Protection of Girls – a grassroots movement to uphold and defend parental notice – recently hosted an online news conference in defense of Illinois’s Parental Notice of Abortion Act. This edition of Spotlight provides especially timely information from the event and highlights numerous reasons why the Parental Notice of Abortion Act must be upheld. Following is a list of conference participants:

Mary Hallan FioRito, a fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center and moderator of the forum.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Religious Liberties are Essential in Illinois

Written by David E. Smith

While numerous businesses have been designated as “essential” and allowed to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ governor has deemed houses of worship for all faith traditions as non-essential entities, denying people of faith access to these facilities for corporate worship and prayer.

Illinois Family’s Monte Larrick recently spoke with Pro-Life Action League’s Ann Scheidler at a May 1st prayer vigil, held outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, to protest Governor JB Pritzker’s overreach.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Mary Louise Hengesbaugh on the Right to Life

Written by David E. Smith

Right to Life issues have been under attack for quite some time in our state, so it should come as no surprise that Illinois’ “progressive” legislators have their sights trained on yet another pro-life, pro-female protective measure. In a conversation at the SpeakOut Illinois conference in February, Mary Louise Hengesbaugh, director of Illinois Citizens for Ethics PAC, and Monte Larrick discuss the crucial benefits and protections afforded minors by the Parental Notice of Abortion Act.… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT: Peter Breen Talks About Abortion, Redistricting and Fair Maps

Written by David E. Smith

Monte Larrick caught up with Peter Breen, Vice President and Senior Counsel for the Thomas More Society, at the recent SpeakOut Illinois event in Oakbrook Terrace. They talk about Breen’s candidacy for the 48th House district and his work on the Fair Maps petition. Breen also addresses a threat to Illinois families in the form of the erasure of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act.

After the break, Monte and Peter consider the possibility of abortions becoming available in Illinois public schools.… Continue Reading