Press Releases
IFI Press Release: Kevin Jennings' Appointment Must Be Rescinded
Illinois Family Institute is calling for the immediate resignation of Kevin Jennings, the newly appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. In this position, Jennings would become the second-in-command in the Department of Education.
Arne Duncan's appointment of Jennings, with his long history of homosexual activism, is an affront to taxpayers, especially families of children who attend public schools. Jennings is the founder and former executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). During his tenure as executive director of GLSEN, Jennings oversaw the infamous education conference held at Tufts University formally entitled "Teach Out," but later referred to as "Fistgate" due to the obscene and deviant sexual practices to which teachers introduced teens.
Prior to his position with GLSEN, Jennings worked as a history teacher at Concord Academy, a private high school in Massachusetts where Jennings was involved in yet another scandal when he neglected to inform the authorities of his knowledge of a minor male student having sexual contact with an adult male. Not only did Jennings not report the sexual abuse as required by law, but in his book One Teacher in Ten, Jennings shared that he "listened, sympathized, and offered advice" to the 15-year-old student.
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IFI Statement on Murder of Dr. George Tiller
The Illinois Family Institute denounces the murder of George Tiller as an act of cowardice. The person or persons involved in the seemingly premeditated vigilante killing should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The murder of Dr. Tiller betrays not only the Biblical principle to value all human life but also the true purpose and intent of the vast majority of Americans who seek to end the destruction of unborn human life. Pro-life advocates seek to protect all human life because we believe that every human being is created in the image of God. The sanctity of human life must be protected, but only through vigorous, legal efforts in state houses and court rooms.
We call on all Americans to pray for the Tiller family and for all those who are affected by the tragedy of abortion.
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IFI Statement on Pres. Obama's Order for Taxpayer Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Illinois Family Institute's Executive Director David E. Smith issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's decision to allow millions of taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human embryos in the name of research:The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) absolutely supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. We oppose, however, embryonic stem cell research because it destroys human life. Moreover, IFI believes that in this economic climate, it is foolish to spend tax dollars for controversial and unproven research.
Every human life begins as an embryo. Each embryo has unique human DNA. It is the first stage of human development. This fact should not be overlooked in favor of any potential scientific advancement.
Human life should never be sacrificed in the name of a potential medical cure.
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 | Lesson:
Character Counts! |
IFI Statement on the Arrest of Gov. Blagojevich
"He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man... The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people." ~ Samuel Adams ~
As the entire country knows, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI early on Tuesday morning on corruption charges. To say that Rod Blagojevich violated the public trust would be to trivialize what he has purportedly done.
The revelations contained in the complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office have stunned a city and state long inured to political corruption. Perhaps the breathtaking degree of the corruption is the knock upside the head Illinoisans need to awaken them from their moral slumber. And perhaps this breathtaking corruption is the painful price we have to pay for our willful ignorance and the complacency it facilitates.
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IFI Press Release: IFI Objects to the Homosexuality-Affirming High School
Laurie Higgins, Director of the Division of School Advocacy at the Illinois Family Institute, issued the following statement in response to the Chicago Board of Education's decision to postpone a vote on the proposed homosexual high school:
Late last Tuesday night, the Chicago Board of Education decided to postpone for a year a vote on the proposed "gay"-affirming high school, recently renamed "Social Justice Solidarity High School," which has been endorsed by Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan.
Many Illinoisans strongly oppose the use of public funds to subsidize a school that affirms ideas they find both fallacious and offensive. The goal of making schools safe for all students is a worthy goal shared by all educators and responsible citizens. But public schools must find ways to ensure student safety without compelling taxpayers to fund unproven theories that they believe hurt teens, hurt society and violate their deeply held beliefs.
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Press Release: IFI Joins Multi-Group Press Conference to Address McDonalds' Selective "Diversity" Policy
 The McDonald's Corporation has recently joined and contributed $20,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, a radical homosexual activist organization working toward homosexual "marriage." In so doing, McDonald's has taken a public position on a very divisive issue-- a position with which the majority of Americans disagree.
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) believes that McDonald's vigorous support of the NGLCC undermines essential societal institutions-- particularly, the natural family-- while violating the deeply held convictions of many. Through both funding and corporate policies, McDonald's affirms and supports radical and culturally divisive anti-family principles.
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IFI News Release: Illinois Librarians Fight Porn Filters With Internet Shutdown
Smith and Varenhorst decry a planned protest by Illinois librarians against HB 1727 -- a Springfield bill that will use public funds and facilities to advance private political goals.
Taxpayers are footing the bill for a planned protest by Illinois librarians against a proposed internet filtering bill. On May 8th, the Illinois Library Association (ILA) issued an "action request" calling for a coordinated protest against the Internet filtering bill, HB 1727, recommending that all public libraries in the state to obstruct Internet access on Monday, May 14th.
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IFI News Release: Boycott the 'Day of Silence'
The Illinois Family Institute is part of the national pro-family NotOurKids.com coalition that is encouraging parents to keep their children home from school on Wednesday, April 18 -- to avoid being subjected to GLSEN's (The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) homosexual "Day of Silence," in which students and some supportive faculty intentionally remain silent throughout the school day to protest (perceived and real) oppression of homosexuals.
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 | The people of Pleasant Plains Illinois voted 75% to 25% to affirm traditional marriage. |
IFI Press Release: Marriage Protection Ballot Measure Passes Easily in Illinois Township, Would Pass Statewide in Illinois if Given the Chance
11/9/2006 9:29:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
In Tuesday's elections, we saw the citizens of seven states vote to pass state constitutional amendments to secure marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Tennessee, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin bring the grand total of states that affirm traditional marriage to 27.
"There is little doubt in my mind that if a marriage protection measure were put to the voters of Illinois, the referendum would win handily," said Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David E. Smith.
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 | State Rep. John Fritchey
(D-Chicago)
Fritchey says that his bill is "reasonable common ground on the very contentious issue of parental notification."
Ironically, HB 5840 has very little to do with the actual parents, but empowers siblings, step-siblings, aunts, uncles, clergy, nurses, doctors, social workers, and psychologists to approve abortions on minors. |
IFI Denounces Rep. Fritchey's 'Parental Rights Circumvention Act'
10/11/2006 4:20:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
New bill would allow certain "responsible parties" to circumvent your parental rights.
DuPage--Illinois Family Institute joins the growing chorus of critics of legislation recently introduced by State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) regarding parents' right to be notified if their minor child seeks to have an abortion. The legislation, HB 5840, is a blatant attempt to stop the Parental Notification Act of 1995 from going into effect.
"There's no compelling state interest to modify the existing law," said David E. Smith, Executive Director of Illinois Family Institute. "This bill serves the interests of the radical abortion industry in Illinois-not girls or the parents who love them. This new, so-called parental notification bill is a slap in the face to concerned parents everywhere."
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Lawrence Keitz Pleads Guilty to E-Threat against IFI
Vowed to "burn every one of your [g-d] damned churches down"
WHEATON, Illinois--Homosexual Lawrence Keitz of Chicago pled guilty yesterday to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from his 2005 e-mail threat against Illinois Family Institute in which he vowed to "burn every one of your [g-d] damned churches down" and "fight till my last breath to see that you people are destroyed."
Under a plea agreement, Keitz received "court supervision" for the crime, which allows him to escape jail time for the offense--a Class C misdemeanor carrying a maximum 30-day jail sentence--provided he does not engage in similar harassing behaviors in the next year.
Please pray for Lawrence Keitz and all the pro-homosexual activists who regularly attack IFI and other family groups--sometimes viciously or even illegally (as in this case). Because we oppose homosexuality as a matter of principle and reject "gayness" as a core identity, they label us as "haters," and, strangely, justify their ugly attacks by citing our policies and beliefs.
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IFI News Release: Smith Decries Minneapolis PD's Suspension of Christian Psychologist Due to Past Ties to IFI
8/29/2006 1:48:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
GLEN ELLYN, Illinois--Illinois Family Institute (IFI) Executive Director David Smith today decried the Minneapolis Police Department's suspension of Dr. Michael Campion, a former IFI Board Member, after reports surfaced of Campion's past affiliation with the Illinois Family Institute.
"Does this mean that any person with a Christian or moral belief system cannot work for the City of Minneapolis?" Smith asked. "This case has all the markings of blatant anti-Christian discrimination and bigotry. People of faith should follow it carefully, because they could be next."
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IFI News Release: IFI Announces Lora Sue Hauser as School Issues Advisor
8/22/2006 6:15:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
GLEN ELLYN, Illinois--Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith announced today the appointment of Deerfield family advocate Lora Sue Hauser as the IFI School Issues Advisor.
In her new position, Hauser said she plans to "advise, advocate, assist, educate, and encourage families and students who encounter a First Amendment, moral, or curricular problem in their public school."
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 | IFI's New Leader
Says Dave Smith, who has led the campaign for a Marriage Protection referendum: "I will do my best to defend marriage, life, and decency for the families of this state against the determined efforts of liberal groups to disqualify Biblically-informed thought and action." |
IFI Announces Dave Smith as New E.D.; LaBarbera Launches National Group to Counter 'Gay' Agenda
GLEN ELLYN--Illinois Family Institute today announced the appointment of David E. Smith as its new Executive Director, to succeed Peter LaBarbera, who is resigning to pursue his goal of creating a national organization dedicated to confronting the homosexual activist agenda.
"It is a great honor to be chosen to lead Illinois Family Institute," Smith said. "I will do my best to defend marriage, life, and decency for the families of this state against the determined efforts of liberal groups to disqualify Biblically-informed thought and action."
Said LaBarbera: "It has been a privilege to serve IFI and the hundreds of thousands of Illinois families it represents who yearn for a more just society that protects innocent unborn life and the God-ordained family."
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IFI News: Protect Gays, Close Down the Gay Sex Clubs
7/22/2006 3:28:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
IFI's LaBarbera Leads Peaceful Vigil Outside Bathhouse in Boystown
CHICAGO-As the culmination of its "Love & Truth" campaign in opposition to the "Gay Games," Illinois Family Institute is leading a peaceful vigil outside a homosexual bathhouse in Boystown, urging men not to go in and degrade themselves by engaging in anonymous and dangerous gay sex.
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IFI News: Battle to Get Marriage Protection Referendum on Ballot Is "Far from Over"
Legal Challenge Begins
Illinois Family Institute remains hopeful that the Marriage Protection Referendum will be on the November ballot, as the legal challenge to the state's initial review of the marriage petitions begins.
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 | Gay Anti-Religious Bigotry:
Andy Thayer's group, Gay Liberation Network, which compares IFI to the Klan, is now targeting African-American churches for weekly protests--and slandering them as "haters" for supporting traditional marriage. Such radicals may try to pressure Bible-believing pastors to "marry" homosexuals if "same-sex marriage" is legalized in Illinois. |
IFI News: IFI Decries 'Gay Liberation' Protesters' Targeting of African-American Churches; IFI in the News on Biased Poll
Illinois Family Institute today condemned the weekly protests organized by the leftist Gay Liberation Network targeting African-American churches that support a statewide referendum preserving marriage as between a man and a woman.
IFI has partnered with dozens of African-American pastors and churches in support of a Protect Marriage Illinois Referendum calling on the General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment preserving traditional marriage.
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 | 345,199 signatures were submitted to the state today for the Protect Marriage Illinois referendum.
The PMI effort collected more than 420,000 signatures in total.
(Click to enlarge photo) |
'Protect Marriage Illinois' Coalition to Deliver Over 345,000 Signatures Today to Qualify Referendum for Ballot in November
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois--Volunteers from across the state will be in the capital today to hand-deliver 345,199 signatures to the Board of Elections--to place a referendum on the November ballot asking if the General Assembly should amend the Illinois constitution to declare that "marriage between a man and a woman is the only legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State."
(The PMI effort collected more than 421,000 signatures in total, but due to the state's draconian rules regarding collecting notarized signatures, many petitions could not be submitted.)
If it survives a promised challenge by homosexual activists, the Protect Marriage Illinois (PMI) effort will be the first citizen advisory referendum to make it on the Illinois ballot in Illinois in 28 years. A total of 283,111 signatures of registered voters is required to get the referendum on the ballot, but PMI volunteers will deliver tens of thousands more than that.
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 | Since homosexual activist Rick Garcia claims the polls are on his side, why would he block a popular vote on marriage in Illinois? |
IFI Challenges Homosexual Group Not to Block Statewide Vote on Marriage Protection Referendum
GLEN ELLYN--Illinois Family Institute today challenged homosexual activist Rick Garcia not to try to stop the Protect Marriage Illinois (PMI) referendum from getting on the ballot, saying, "Since Garcia claims the polls are on his side, why would he block a popular vote?"
Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn today reported that Garcia's group, Equality Illinois, "is planning to challenge" the PMI petition. Garcia was responding to news that Protect Marriage Illinois will be submitting the required number of signatures (283,111) by May 8 to get a question on the November ballot.
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 | AFL-CIO's homosexual caucus calls on its members to be "proud union queers." |
IFI News Release: IFI Protests AFL-CIO Convention, Says Union Leaders Who Promote 'Gay Marriage' Are Way Out of Touch with Rank-and-File Workers
7/25/2005 5:55:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
They're proud, they're AFL-CIO union members, and they're "queer." The AFL-CIO's homosexual caucus is pushing an extreme homosexual agenda--including calls for "gay marriage" and bashing the Federal Marriage Amendment--that distorts real labor issues. Most rank-and-file members of the AFL-CIO, which is holding its annual convention in Chicago beginning July 25, have no idea of the radical "gay" activism being pushed by union leaders. IFI will be holding a protest at the convention to educate the attendees.
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IFI News Release: IFI Condemns Gov. Blagojevich’s ‘End Run’ to Fund Immoral Embryonic Stem Cell Research with Our Taxpayer Dollars
7/12/2005 3:40:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
IFI today condemned Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to issue an Executive Order to fund immoral embryonic stem cell research with $10 million in Illinois taxpayer dollars. "The governor has done an end-run around the legislative process to fund research that advances a utilitarian agenda in which the end justifies the means," said IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera.
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News Release: Chicago Media Should Not Be Marching in ‘Gay Pride’ Parade: IFI
6/23/2005 7:16:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
The expected participation of Chicago media organizations in the city's "gay pride" parade Sunday "mocks the ideal of media objectivity and fairness," says IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera. He urged the media not to repeat last year's spectacle in which several major Chicago media corporations, including CBS 2, ABC 7, NBC, WGN, and Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ), fielded floats in the city's erotically-charged "pride" parade.
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IFI News Release: IFI Calls on Catholics to Reject 'Rainbow Sash' Activism in Churches
5/16/2005 1:00:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
IFI responds to the latest protest by the homosexual group "Rainbow Sash" in Catholic churches today, Pentecost Sunday, calling the Sash agitators "emissaries of a self-centered spirituality grounded in their own feelings and desires, not the loving dictates of a holy God."
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IFI News Release: IFI Breaks ‘Day of Silence,’ Invites Chicagoland Students to Hear Testimony of Former Homosexual Stephen Bennett
4/13/2005 9:46:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
Hundreds of Glenbard West High School Students Reached with Truth that 'Gays' Can Change
GLEN ELLYN - Illinois Family Institute took advantage of a rare 'Day of Silence" for pro-homosexual school activists today by inviting students across Chicagoland to hear the testimony of former homosexual Stephen Bennett, who will be speaking this week on the reality of change for people struggling with same-sex desires.
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IFI Press Release: IFI Breaks 'Day of Silence,' Invites Chicagoland Students to Hear Testimony of Former Homosexual Stephen Bennett
4/13/2005 9:12:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
Hundreds of Glenbard West High School Students Reached with Truth that 'Gays' Can Change
GLEN ELLYN - Illinois Family Institute took advantage of a rare 'Day of Silence" for pro-homosexual school activists today by inviting students across Chicagoland to hear the testimony of former homosexual Stephen Bennett, who will be speaking this week on the reality of change for people struggling with same-sex desires.
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IFI News Release: Gov. Blagojevich’s Morning-After Pill Order Demonstrates His Religious Intolerance
4/5/2005 8:53:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
CHICAGO, April 5, 2005 - Illinois Family Institute condemns Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to issue an emergency rule that usurps pharmacists of their God-given liberty to live out their faith and belief system.
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IFI News: IFI Condemns ADL for Lecturing Arlington Hts. Woman for her Faith in Race for School Board
3/22/2005 1:34:00 PM
By Peter LaBarbera, IFI Executive Director
The Illinois Family Institute today condemned the Midwest branch of the Anti-Defamation League for lecturing a District 214 School Board candidate because she wrote to pastors appealing for support as a "Christian engaging the culture."
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 | FRC honored Dave Smith with the "Family, Faith & Freedom Award" for his work fighting broadcast indecency. |
IFI News Release: Family Research Council Presents IFI’s Dave Smith with ‘Family, Faith and Freedom Award
3/18/2005 1:08:00 PM
By IFI
WASHINGTON, D.C. - - Family Research Council, a leading national pro-family think tank, today presented David E. Smith, Senior Policy Analyst at the Illinois Family Institute, with its "Family, Faith and Freedom Award."
Smith was recognized for his persistence in campaigning against indecent broadcasts, particularly the 70 indecency complaints he filed over a period of four years with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against the sex- and vulgarity-laden morning radio program of Chicago shock-jock Erich "Mancow" Mueller.
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 | V. Monologues Author Eve Ensler |
IFI News Release: V. Monologues Should Not Play in Peoria
IFI on V. Monologues: 'This Play Should Not Play in Peoria'
Radical feminist play includes pedophile rape seduction scene
Peoria, IL -- IFI condemneds Bradley University in Peoria for hosting a showing of "Vagina Monologues," a play that glorifies vulgarity, hating men and lesbianism-including one a scene in which an adult woman takes a teenaged girl to her apartment, plies her with alcohol and then seduces her.
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IFI News Release: IFI Condemns as 'Preposterous' Allegation by Homosexual Activists that Abe Lincoln was 'Gay'
President Lincoln was not "gay," and the growing media and academic speculation over this preposterous allegation is evidence of the corruption caused by the cultural elite's embrace of homosexuality.
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IFI Announces New User-Friendly Website and E-mail Format
2/3/2005 6:03:00 PM
By Peter LaBarbera, IFI Executive Director
IFI Proudly announces new website and email system, hosted by 1871 Media.
I am delighted to welcome you to the debut of Illinois Family Institute's redesigned website and our new, user-friendly e-mail format. The new e-publication will come out 1-2 times per week--in addition to periodic E-Alerts--and allows you, the reader, to easily access the articles you choose simply by clicking on the headline for that article.
IFI's new website will provide you with MUCH MORE and BETTER information on a wide variety of issues, and it will be much more accessible to you.
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 | Gov. Blagojevich enthusiastically supports the "Gay Rights" bill, and will sign it into law today. |
IFI NEWS RELEASE: Governor is signing away religious freedom in Illinois today
1/21/2005 10:08:00 AM
By Peter LaBarbera, IFI Executive Director
CHICAGO-By signing into law SB 3186-a bill that, according to its sponsor, would ban churches from 'discriminating' against homosexuals-Gov. Blagojevich is signing away the First Amendment freedoms of churches and anyone who disagrees with homosexuality, Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Peter LaBarbera said today.
Blagojevich is poised to sign SB 3186 today at noon, and IFI will be leading a counter-protest at 11:30 today at 160 N. LaSalle, the Michael A. Bilandic Building.
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 | | Churches and Value based organizations now have less religious liberty in Illinois., |
IFI NEWS RELEASE: IFI Condemns Passage of SB 3186
1/11/2005 4:41:00 PM
By Peter LaBarbera
IFI Condemns Passage of SB 3186, "Gay/Transgender" Bill That Tramples Freedoms of Conscience, Religion and Association.
GLEN ELLYN, Ill.-Peter LaBarbera, Executive Director of the Illinois Family Institute, condemned the passage of SB 3186 by the House and Senate, saying legislators have passed a bill that will trample on the freedoms of others, especially people of faith opposed to homosexuality and gender confusion.
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IFI News Release: Boycott Target Stores over Salvation Army
Protest planned at Woodfield Target Saturday morning
GLEN ELLYN-Illinois Family Institute (IFI) today called for a Christmas-season boycott of Target stores, in response to Target's Scrooge-like ban of Salvation Army bell-ringers at its 1,200 stores nationwide.
"Our family is not shopping at Target this Christmas, even though it is my wife's favorite store this time of year," IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera said. "It amazes me that Target is punishing this charitable group during Christmas-all in the name of 'fairness.' Isn't that just like the ACLU and the Secular Left?"
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IFI Great News: Stem Cell, Homosexual Bills Defeated!
We have roll call on Stem Cell bill; no vote on 'gay'/trans bill, SB 3186
The Senate adjourned today without voting on the pro-homosexual/transgender bill, SB 3186. Liberals lacked the necessary votes to pass the bill and so did not call it for a vote. Thus, the homosexual agenda will be defeated in Illinois for another session barring a last-minute vote in early January...
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IFI News Release: Pro-Marriage Amendment Sweep Bodes Well for Illinois Amendment
IFI Asks Speaker Madigan to Stop Blocking Marriage Protection in Illinois After Marriage Amendment Sweep in 11 States including Liberal Oregon.
GLEN ELLYN - The passage of marriage-defense amendments in 11 states on Election Day presages a victory for a similar amendment in Illinois if politicians like House Speaker Mike Madigan would allow it to be put before the voters...
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IFI News Release: 'United We Stand' Rally in Chicago Oct. 16 Kicks Off 14-City Pro-Marriage Tour
CHICAGO - A diverse coalition of religious and community leaders will be sponsoring the "United We Stand--Defending Marriage" rally on Saturday, October 16th, at 2 p.m. in Marquette Park (67th and Kedzie), kicking off a 14-city pro-marriage rally tour that ends Oct. 22 in Joliet...
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IFI NEWS RELEASE: Chicago Shock Jock ‘Mancow’ Drops $3 Million Lawsuit against David Smith
8/2/2004 3:49:00 PM
By IFI
Federal Judge Rejects First Amendment Claims as 'Frivolous'
GLEN ELLYN--Shock jock Erich "Mancow" Muller dropped, with prejudice, the $3 million lawsuit he filed against Chicago decency advocate David Smith and Citizens for Community Values--after a federal judge rejected Mancow's claim that Smith violated his free speech rights.
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