Spotlight

This episode highlights remarks made by the honorable Sam Brownback during an IFI Forum on religious liberty, which was held at Jubilee Bible church in Medinah IL. Brownback served as governor of Kansas and represented the people of Kansas in the U.S. House & Senate during President Trump’s administration and served as U.S. Ambassador at large for International religious freedom. Brownback is currently the chairman for the National Committee for religious freedom, and in that capacity he has his finger on the pulse on the status of religious liberty around the world and here in America.… Continue Reading

Thanks for making Illinois Family Spotlight part of your day! During this edition, we’re highlighting remarks made by Kevin Sorbo at Illinois Family Institute’s 2022 Faith, Family & Freedom banquet. Sorbo is best known as an actor, but he is also a staunch Christian conservative, author, filmmaker, producer and more. In his talk, Sorbo shares how cancel culture is a poison to our culture, and how he overcame a serious health crisis that redirected his focus to Christ.… Continue Reading

This episode highlights remarks made by Sam Sorbo during the 2022 IFI banquet. In addition to acting, Sorbo is an author, filmmaker, radio host and a strong advocate for education freedom. Her book “They’re Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate” chronicles her family’s journey with homeschooling. Sorbo speaks on education freedom through the lens of faith. Take a listen!… Continue Reading

Horace Cooper is a senior fellow with the National Center for Public Policy Research, chairman of the Project 21 National Advisory Board and a legal commentator. Cooper averages over 400 talk radio appearances per year, representing the National Center and Project 21, in addition to regular television appearances and interviews by the print media. Cooper also taught constitutional law at George Mason University in Virginia and was a senior counsel to U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey.… Continue Reading

Former State Rep. Peter Breen joins Monte Larrick in this segment of Illinois Family Spotlight. He is the Executive Vice President of the Thomas More Society. The Thomas More Society is dedicated to restoring law for life, liberty, religious freedom, family and election integrity, and in this episode, Breen discusses the multiple cases the nonprofit law firm is taking on.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, Monte Larrick discusses Illinois and the abortion debate with Eric Schiedler.… Continue Reading

This Spotlight features attorney David Shestokas, former candidate for Attorney General and author of several books, including Creating the Declaration of Independence and Constitutional Soundbites. Monte Larrick and David Shestokas address why it is so important to acknowledge our country’s freedom and how to peacefully defend our rights.… Continue Reading

During this edition, we’re highlighting remarks from IFI’s 2023 annual Worldview Conference, which was hosted at Village Church of Barrington. This lecture was presented by Dr. Jonathan Diggs, who has practiced medicine for over 35 years, and in the following episode, he outlines the consequences of sexual immorality.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, we are featuring remarks from Dr. Michelle Cretella given at IFI’s 2019 Worldview Conference. Dr. Cretella discusses the differences between true, biological science, which supports pro-life and pro-family propositions, and the anti-science cult of gender ideology, which is preached by mainstream medicine, psychiatry, public and private education systems, and social and mass media. Dr. Cretella also addresses the serious implications of the transgender movement: erasure of parents’ rights, women’s rights, and religious freedom; establishment of gender identity as a protected class; as well as potential legal action that awaits anyone who persists in using “discriminatory” language, i.e.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Voddie Baucham discusses the importance of acknowledging that the devil is indeed prowling about like a roaring lion, seeking whom it may devour. Monte Larrick caught 20 minutes with evangelist Dr. Voddie Baucham back in March at the Black Conservative Summit. Throughout the episode, the two cover the blessing of good Christian education, the silence of the American church, how to reach the African American community and how to prepare for the 2024 elections.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Illinois Family Spotlight, Monte Larrick interviews Kirk Smith, executive director of the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE). Over the weekend of May 20th, ICHE hosted their annual homeschool conference at Olivet Nazarene University where families were not only encouraged to educate their children academically, but educate them spiritually. When asked about the difference between public school and home school, Smith replied that children in government education are being taught anti-Christian morals. “They are learning all these.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick converses with Peter Breen, head of the Thomas More Society’s Legal Team in service of its Life, Family, and Religious Liberty missions. Breen is actively following the threat Illinois pregnancy care centers are facing, and discusses what exactly they’re facing with SB 1909 To find out more, listen to today’s episode!… Continue Reading

In this episode, we’re talking with Lt. Col. Allen West at the 2023 Black Conservative Summit.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick converses with Presidential Candidate Larry Elder at the 2023 Black Conservative Summit.… Continue Reading

Pastor Leflore and David Smith sit down with one of Chicago’s finest pastors in this episode. Pastor Charles Moodie is head of Chicago City Life Center, right in the middle of the Englewood neighborhood. His church is building a crisis pregnancy center, and you can find out more by going to their website.… Continue Reading

In this episode, we feature remarks from attorney Ann O’Connor with the National Institute for Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). O’Connor recently presented this lecture at Speakout Illinois’ 2023 pro-life conference, and called attention to legislation that is targeting crisis pregnancy centers with the goal being to shut them down. O’Connor is the Vice President of legal affairs at NIFLA, and is a champion of 1st Amendment rights. You can find more information about NIFLA by clicking here.… Continue Reading

This is the second segment in David Smith’s conversation with Eric Hovind and Helmut Welke. This conversation spans faux fossils, training your children to ask the right questions, and why a young earth perspective is crucial to a Biblical worldview. When asked why the question of young earth/old earth is still being debated in American churches, Eric Hovind captured the problem in one sentence: “Pastors are taking a book that has never been proven wrong and compromising it with a theory that has never been proven right.”… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, David Smith co-hosts with Self Evident’s Jenna Smith to converse with two spectacular guests about the importance of Scripture and the necessity of knowing Someone Who knows everything. President and Founder of Pensacola-based organization, Creation Today, Eric’s passion to reach people with the life-changing message of the Gospel has driven him to speak in five foreign countries and all fifty states. He lives in Pensacola, Florida with his wife Tanya and three children and remains excited about the tremendous opportunity to lead an apologetics ministry in the war against evolution and humanism.… Continue Reading

This special episode of Spotlight has one of IFI’s favorite people: Stephanie Trussell! Stephanie is a mom, grandmother, entrepreneur, board member for the Illinois Family Institute & Good Soil, Good Seed, and former candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor. Monte, David and Stephanie recap the November 8th election, the campaign trail that led up to it, and Stephanie regales mostly humorous anecdotes that occurred to her while traveling the state of Illinois. One of the questions that comes up in this episode is how can Illinois Republican voter turnout improve.… Continue Reading

40 Days for Life is a vital part of the pro-life movement. The intercession they make to God on behalf of those stumbling to the slaughter, the silent witness to passersby, and the love they show by merely standing outside of an abortion clinic can make the difference of a mother in crisis pregnancy choosing life. What with our lawmakers turning Illinois into a sanctuary state for abortion and now taking steps to ban crisis pregnancy centers, prayer warriors are needed now more than ever before.… Continue Reading

“Every Republican who lives in Illinois who really want to see the strength of the party grow need to be at the Black Conservative Summit. . .” ~Bishop Ceasar Leflore Dr. Eric Wallace is the leader of the Freedom Journal Institute and is hosting an event on the weekend of March 25th that you do not want to miss. The Black Conservative Summit is occurring March 24-25 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. The reason it is the Black Conservative Summit is because the conservative movement must reach beyond its base to the African American community if it is ever to regain its former influence.… Continue Reading

Earlier this month, Monte Larrick attended the Pro-Life Action League’s protest against Walgreens and CVS pharmacies contemplating the sale of abortifacients, and talked with Eric Scheidler about this potential product. Eric Scheidler is the executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, and believes this is a move on the part of the corporations to prove they’re woke. “We know that American corporations are becoming more and more woke. . .acting at the behest of the Democratic party and the progressive movement.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, David & guest host Jenna converse with IFI partner Tom Burrows. Burrows is the field director of the Good Soil Good Seed Foundation (gsgsfoundation.com), and the three of them list reasons why you should ensure that your children and grandchildren are receiving a Biblical education.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, David E. Smith discusses the upcoming bills with IFI’s lobbyist David Curtain. In the second half, Jennifer Korte opines on school board scandals and Biden’s summary of the state of our nation.… Continue Reading

In this episode of IFS, Monte Larrick converses with Anthony Catella, a candidate for the St. Charles library board. The two discuss theology, the military, and why t’s important to run for your local office.… Continue Reading

Nancy Valko is a registered nurse, legal consultant and a spokesperson for the National Association of Pro-Life Nurses. Monte Larrick had the opportunity to speak with her at a Lake County Right To Life forum, where she keynoted and spoke on the dangers of saying nothing when it comes to medically assisted suicide. “The problem is, if doctors themselves don’t take a position on the most important issue they have–the most important covenant they have with their patients, which is they will not kill them–what else is open?”… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, IFI’s David Smith and Public School Exit’s Ceasar Leflore converse with the one and only Juan Elias-Riesco, former owner of the famous Nini’s Deli (which you can learn about through the documentary Paint the Wall Black) and a blazing torch for the kingdom of Christ. Elias-Riesco’s testimony of how he became a Christian is anything but boring. Growing up on the streets of Chicago, he quickly became hardened to shoplifting and spiraled into a sinful lifestyle that had him in prison and rejecting God’s design for sexuality.… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick is joined by Shane Hartman, the executive director of the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems (ILCAAAP). Springfield has made slaves of so many Illinois citizens, through the legalization of recreational marijuana and betting on anything. ILCAAAP is working to combat the evil coming out of our legislature through educating Illinois youth about the dangers of drugs, gambling and liquor. “The main thing is to let the kids know you care.” Hartman stated when asked what is the most persuasive argument to reach kids in our age of social media.… Continue Reading

In this episode, David Curtain explains his job as IFI’s lobbyist in Springfield, the bills that are threatening to family values, and how we can be active in our state capitol from every part of the state.… Continue Reading

I recently gave a short New Year exhortation at my church and since we captured the audio, I thought we could post it as a special addition for those who may be interested. In this short message (15 minutes), I emphasis Paul’s statement in vs 12-14 in which he confesses: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. … Continue Reading

This is a throwback episode, where we present a lecture that is still relevant today as it was when it was given–if not more so. Pastor Douglas Wilson of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, spoke at IFI’s 2019 worldview conference regarding trans ideology and the Christian. You can watch this talk here. Sanity as Insurrection is the title of the final session of the 2019 Illinois Family Institute Worldview Conference on the “trans” ideology. In this presentation, Pastor Doug Wilson stressed the importance of asking sane questions, ones that strike at the heart of the matter, when we engage in debate with our adversaries because “deliberate and premeditated sanity is a challenge to the powers that be.”… Continue Reading

In this segment of Spotlight, we’re highlighting remarks made at IFI’s Medical Freedom Forum held earlier this year at Jubilee Bible Church. Doctors Mark Zumhagen and Simon Gold pointed out the wrong occurring in their respective fields and answered questions from the audience.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick is at Illinois’ state capital, at the annual Christmas nativity reveal. Delbra Pratt speaks on the importance of the display in this dark corner of Illinois, and what it means.… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick interviews Julie Garafalo, executive director of Waterleaf. Waterleaf is slightly different than your average women’s center in that they provide professional and medical help. An especially important service Waterleaf offers is early pregnancy screenings. That screening includes a medical grade pregnancy test and ultrasound, which helps the patient determine whether she is truly pregnant, and if so, how far along and how healthy the baby is. This gives the mother the facts she needs to make a fully informed decision.… Continue Reading

“. . .fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” ~Genesis 1:28 Rachel Mikottis is a homeschooled wonder of a woman who believes that nature is the best classroom in the world. She joins IFI’s David Smith and Self Evident’s Jenna Smith for a conversation about her forest school: Free Haven. Rachel, in her words, was a free range homeschooler.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, we feature a timely message from IFI’s 2022 Worldview Conference. “The Religion of Wokism” is a lecture given by Dr. Everett Piper.  … Continue Reading

In this Episode, we highlight remarks made by Ryan Bomberger, the founder of the Radiance Foundation.… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick interviews Eric Schiedler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League regarding expanding abortion laws and what pro life activists can do.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, we have remarks from IFI’s David Smith at the 2021 Faith, Family and Freedom banquet. We Also have Dr. Lutzer’s Q&A segment from the same event.… Continue Reading

Kathleen Murray was born and raised in Lombard, and that has given her the perspective of the people Kathleen wishes to represent. She has lived and worked all over the US as well as internationally during her time in college. In 2001 she purchased her childhood family home, with the intent to raise her children in the same home and the same city she grew up in. In this episode, Monte Larrick and Murray discuss what is facing Illinois, why she is running and why people should vote red come November 8th.… Continue Reading

David Smith and Self Evident’s Jenna Smith converse with police chief David Sheppard, who is running to represent the 36th district of Illinois.… Continue Reading

Thomas Devore, candidate for Illinois Attorney General, spoke recently at the Crete Township Republican meeting on the dangers of the SAFE-T Act. During his presentation, he delivered a damning legal analysis of the Democrat’s SAFE-T Act (HB 3653) , which will fully go into effect on January 1, 2023. Most Democrats voted YES and every single Republican voted NO. Devore warns that the ‘no-cash bail’ provision in the SAFE-T Act opens up Illinois courts to civil rights violations.… Continue Reading

Today meet Scott Greene, Representative candidate for District 86. He’s mustered the strength to challenge Democratic incumbent Larry Walsh and bring some trucker sense to the Capital. Knowing that faith, family, and freedom are on the line, he will try his best to represent his district. Greene wants to empower everyone by removing liberal policies that threaten life and livelihood. Cheap energy, strong infrastructure, security, and the importance of the family are of highest concern. Walsh, on the other hand, has openly supported government overreach, mandatory sex-ed in kindergarten, and wretched economic policies that do not benefit or represent the people.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Pastor Ceasar Leflore (field director of Public School Exit) and David Smith interview Frederick Walls, candidate for the 34th district of Illinois.… Continue Reading

This episode we have guests Ricki Giersch and Catherine Walker of 40 Days for life, along with a special guest from the WaterLeaf Women’s Center.… Continue Reading

Monte Larrick asks Illinois Conservative Union champion Jan Shaw how to ensure that your vote counts on November 8th.… Continue Reading

David Smith and Monte Larrick sit down with state Senate candidate Diane Harris. Harris is running for the 43rd district and you can find her at dianeharrisforstatesenate.com.… Continue Reading

“Disturb us, Lord, when With the abundance of things we possess We have lost our thirst For the waters of life; Having fallen in love with life, We have ceased to dream of eternity And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision Of the new Heaven to dim.” ~excerpt of a prayer from Sir Francis Drake Dr. Erwin Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago and was Illinois Family Institute’s keynote speaker at our 2021 annual banquet.… Continue Reading

In this episode we interview Patricia Bonk, Republican Candidate for 30th House District. Patricia Bonk uses her unique experience as an ER nurse and firefighter to address important issues like public safety, abortion, property taxes, school reform, child protection, voting integrity, and SB 1169. Giving voters an option for reform, Patricia Bonk is challenging returning Democrat Will Davis. Hear how Davis supported several harmful bills and ignored voters; and is now being held accountable by Patricia Bonk!… Continue Reading

Thanks for making Illinois Family Spotlight part of your day. Government school students are exposed to x-rated sex ed, hate America history, and godless, leftist ideology. And to top it off, a lot of these taxpayer funded schools are graduating kids who lack math, science and reading skills–even in high income districts. IFI believes there is a better way to educate our kids, and that’s why we’ve launched Rescuing our Children: a government school exit action plan.… Continue Reading