Illinois Politics
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching
Are you registered to vote? Are there people in your church or community who have not registered? The deadline for registering to vote for the February 2nd primary election is fast approaching.
To encourage more citizens to vote, IFI is urging you to make sure you are registered to vote in this year's elections, and then ask your church leadership to hold a voter registration drive in your church over the next two Sundays.
The deadline to register to vote in February's crucial election is Tuesday, January5th.
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Second Annual Nativity Scene To Stand In Illinois State Capitol Rotunda
11/23/2009 4:22:00 PM
By Daniel T. Zanoza
-Springfield Nativity Scene Committee
On December 1st, 2009, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) will again erect a display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. For the second year in a row, the crèche will stand in the State Capitol Rotunda Building in Springfield, Illinois.
In 2008, the SNSC made history when the Sec. of State's office granted a permit to the group, allowing the Nativity Scene to go on display. The crèche and manger scene stood in the State Capitol Building, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution which provides for such religious expression in the public square as long as such displays are privately-funded.
The SNSC's primary goal is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A secondary mission of the group is to inform the public regarding the constitutionality of such expressions of faith in the public square.
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2009 Marriage Rally at the Illinois Capitol
Approximately 150-175 people gathered in the rain at the Lincoln statue last Thursday (Oct. 29th) to rally for natural marriage and encourage Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to "let the people vote" on the a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as "One Man, One Woman." Speaker Madigan has held this amendment captive for six years now, not even letting it move to a legislative committee to have a hearing.
Two busses left from the Chicago suburbs to meet with others from downstate. After the rally, concerned citizens went into the Capitol to lobby to protect the institution of marriage, and against "civil unions" legislation. Much good was done by the 100+ individuals who lobbied their representatives and senators wearing white T-shirts with red wording, LET THE PEOPLE VOTE, and a symbol showing a man, woman and child, with the words, "Marriage one man, one woman."
Below you will see pictures of State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) and State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) who spoke in favor of marriage. Not pictured were State Representative John Bradley (D-Marion) and State Representative David Reis (R-Olney) who are also strong outspoiken supporters of protecting marriage from radical redefinition. As you can tell from the party affiliation of the lawmakers listed above -- and it is important to point out -- the issue of marriage and family have bi-partisan support.
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 | Call the IFI office at
877-2 BE-SALT
(877-223-7258)
or email us here to request a free IFI Voter Registration Toolkit. |
Hold a Voter Registration Drive!!
January 5th is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming February 2nd Primary Election.
Registering to vote is the first step in engaging in civic life and becoming a good steward of your God-given responsibility of self-government. Any Illinois citizen who will be eighteen by Primary Election Day -- February 2nd -- is eligible to register.
The process for registering is easy and convenient, but, sadly, millions of Americans choose not to take the time. Estimates count that from 35 percent to 50 percent of Americans are not registered to vote.
It seems to be even worse among self-professing Christians. Research shows that only about 60 percent of Christians are registered to vote, and of those, only 60 percent actually vote. This means that only 36 percent of Christians actually vote.
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IFI E-Alert: Become a Community Ambassador
Are you concerned about preserving Christian values in our culture, and protecting our religious freedom? Are you willing to get personally involved in doing something about this? If so...
Join us in becoming a Community Ambassador for IFI, where you'll be on the front lines of making a meaningful impact in your home town. To learn more, please take a moment to watch this VIDEO.
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CCA Candidate Forums in Rockford!
Concerned Citizens For America
Motivating, Educating, and Supporting Social and Fiscal Conservatives
P O Box 7996 -- Rockford IL 61126
CCA Candidate Forums: Who are the real conservatives?
Conservative candidates need your votes in the Primary in order to become the conservative candidate in the November General Election... these forums will help you make this informed decision! Straw polls will be taken of those in attendance; come and make your opinion count!
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IFI Update: Video Gambling Repeal Introduced
Our Illinois state lawmakers are back in Springfield for the Veto Session, which is scheduled for October 14-16 and October 28-30.
State Representative Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) has introduced a bill (HB 4629) to repeal the anti-family Video Gambling Act that was signed into law this past summer.
Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or fax to your State Legislators and the Governor to tell them you support the repeal.
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 | State Sen. Heather Steans
(D-Chicago)
Marriage Rally!
Click HERE to download a flyer to distribute at church and in your community. |
Gay "Marriage" Bill in Illinois Senate
Join us for a Marriage Rally and Lobby Day at the Capitol on Oct. 29th!
Last week, Illinois State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) introduced a bill to legalize gay "marriage" in our state. Given the current make-up of the Illinois General Assembly, this bill has little chance of passing. But the fact that a homosexual "marriage" bill has been filed for the first time in the Illinois State Senate may just be another sign of the times -- or should I say, the upcoming election cycle.
Senator Steans' 7th District seat is being challenged by openly gay Democrat candidate Jim Madigan. The district includes "Boys Town," Chicago's largest homosexual neighborhood, so the two candidates are competing for the gay vote. According to an article the gay publication On Top magazine, Madigan claims that the introduction of this gay "marriage" bill is simply a plublicity stunt to attract more gay votes.
Madigan may be right, but Sen. Steans has been a strong pro-gay proponent since her appointment in 2008.
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Bambenek Put-Back Amendment: Illinois Reformer Strives To Put More Power In "Hands Of The People"
Illinois citizen and activist John Bambenek began a petition drive on Wednesday to place a state constitutional amendment on the November 2010 general election ballot.
The initiative is titled the "Bambenek Put-Back Amendment". Bambenek, a political reformer and resident of Champaign, Illinois, is leading an effort to implement a comprehensive package of reforms designed to end the back-room dealings of the General Assembly.
"We started this non-partisan reform effort to reform the Illinois General Assembly and put the people back in charge," Bambenek told the Illinois Family Institute. "If you're like us, you've witnessed the mess in Springfield with utter shock. We were told it was just Rod Blagojevich, but now he's been removed and the mess remains. The only consistent feature of our dysfunctional state government is the legislature."
According to Bambenek, most legislation is written behind closed doors and is never seen by most legislators (much less the public) before they are required to vote on it.
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 | MeLisa Cleary |
IFI SPECIAL REPORT: Is DCFS Compounding A Tragedy? Agency Tells Mother of Murdered Daughter She May Never See Her Grandchildren Again
It was one of those phone calls no parent wants to receive. In fact, it was the beginning of a nightmare for Jean Cohoon. Cohoon's daughter, MeLisa Cleary, 30, a mother of three, was missing. It's a story which, tragically, is repeated all too often in America today. A woman's car is found, her purse and cell phone are left behind, but she is nowhere to be found.
During the first three days after MeLisa's disappearance, a frantic search for the young mother took place. Family, friends, neighbors, and good people who simply wanted to help began the search for MeLisa. Flyers were printed up, the media reported on the case and search teams were organized to scour the town of Mackinaw in Tazewell County, Illinois in the desperate hunt for clues to MeLisa's disappearance.
But on June 10th of 2008, Jean Cohoon's nightmare became reality. Her daughter's lifeless body was found in a rural area near Hartsburg in Logan County. The central Illinois location was not 20 minutes away from her home. MeLisa had been brutally murdered and disposed of like a piece of trash.
Little did Jean Cohoon know that the murder of her oldest daughter was only the beginning of a horrible saga which continues until this very day.
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Will County Tea Party Rally
The National Tea Party Express is coming to New Lenox, IL.
Commons Performing Arts Pavilion
101 Veterans Parkway
New Lenox, IL 60451
Monday, September 7th 10:00 A.M.
From August 28th to September 12th, the Tea Party Express bus is touring across the country hosting tea party rallies across America. We're speaking out against the out-of-control tax-and-spend policies and unprecedented power grab of our government. Please join us.
 FOX News On Bus To Cover Our Event Leading To Final Rally in Washington D.C. Sept. 12.
Please plan to attend to help change the tide of what is happening in our country. Bring a friend, bring flag or sign as well (try to keep them respectful). The Commons is a beautiful Ravinia style facility with a large band shelter and plenty of lawn seating as well. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair. Ample parking is available.
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 | Where:
Federal Plaza
230 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60604
When:
Noon
Sat., Aug 22. |
Cisco Cotto Hosts a Townhall Meeting Because Sen. Durbin Won't
Illinois' U.S. Senator Dick Durbin doesn't want to hold a townhall meeting to hear from his constituents. A group of citizens are going to get together to let the senator know by their numbers that they are serious about the state of our government.
This Saturday, AM 560 WIND's Cisco Cotto will moderate a special townhall meeting outside the Chicago offices of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin where citizens can voice their opinions on the issue of health care reform. Durbin told reporters earlier this month that he doesn't see value in holding townhall meetings. "I don't think that's a productive use of my time."
"The people Dick Durbin represents deserve to be heard before he votes on such a radical change to our health care," said Cisco Cotto, co-host of the John Howell and Cisco Cotto morning show on AM 560.
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Thomas More Society Claims Victory for Illinois Parents
Praise God!! Illinois Parental Rights are Restored!!
Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dissolved the federal injunction against the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act. As a direct result of the court's decision (Zbaraz v. Hartigan), Illinois parents will be entitled, for the first time since Roe v. Wade was decided, to notification before their minor daughters are taken for abortions. The decision is the culmination of four years work by the Thomas More Society (TMS), particularly TMS Special Counsel Paul Linton, who devised the legal strategy which ultimately led to the lifting of the injunction.
"This is an incredible victory for Illinois parents and their children," said Peter Breen, Executive Director and Legal Counsel of the Thomas More Society. "Parental involvement laws enjoy overwhelming public support. These laws promote the integrity of the family and ensure that parents are consulted so that their children are not forced into an abortion decision. A wealth of social science data indicates that parental involvement laws lead to lower pregnancy rates, out-of-wedlock births and abortions."
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 | Take ACTION:
An income tax hike is still being promoted by Gov. Quinn.
Click HERE to ask the governor and your state lawmakers to vote against any legislative proposal that would increase any tax burden for Illinois citizens. |
Illinois Budget Needs Trimming: Rep. Reis' HR 417 De-Funding Planned Parenthood Would Be A Good Start
You may have seen political ads on television warning of pending budget cuts targeting services like homecare for senior citizens and assistance to the physically or mentally handicapped in Illinois. There has also been an intensive phone campaign warning Illinois citizens of falling state revenue and a budget deficit which will impact the most needy in the state.
The bottom line of this political outreach is meant to frighten the public. The resolution of all Illinois' fiscal woes would, supposedly, be solved by raising taxes. Now, the television ads do not call for the public's support of increased taxation because calling for higher taxes is truly the third rail in today's political world. However, households in some legislative districts have received calls -- from advocacy groups, supposedly not affiliated with any political party -- stating services to the elderly will be cut unless taxes are raised.
"The sky is falling" mantra is designed to give the impression specific services would be cut in the fiscal year 2010 state budget unless the public agrees with the need for higher taxes. As in all things, there is a modicum of truth in what also may be considered a campaign of deception.
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 | You can find a summary of the complete list of bills we monitored by clicking HERE. |
IFI Update: Legislative Session Wrap-Up-- June 2009
As the month of May came to a close, so did the regular session of the Illinois General Assembly. While the state budget has still not been finalized, lawmakers did not have the political will to raise our taxes. They will have to go back to Springfield this summer to hammer out the budget.
You can find a summary of the complete list of bills we monitored by clicking HERE.
Perhaps the best news is, despite the intense media push suggesting that it was imminent, the Civil Union bill -- SB 1716 (formerly HB 2234) failed to pass during the regular session. Yet I want to remind you that gay activists are already regrouping and planning to make another push to pass this bill in the Veto Session in November. Equality Illinois, and the ACLU hired a number of high profile lobbyists, some from a powerful Chicago law firm. We expect another "full court press" in the future.
Your calls, emails and letters worked!!! We've heard from a number of House secretaries that the highest number of calls to their offices were coming in against the income tax increase proposal and the civil union bill.
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IFI Update: Gambling Bill (HB 255) Passes in the House!
How did they vote?
Springfield lawmakers introduced, considered and passed this gambling bill in a little over 24 hours.
Despite an outpouring of calls, emails, and faxes against expanded gambling concerned Illinois citizens, lawmakers in the Illinois House passed HB 255 on Friday by a vote of 86 to 30. This bill will legalize video poker and Internet Lottery to help pay for capital construction projects.
Take ACTION: Governor Patrick Quinn is the only one who can stop this bill now. Call his office at 800-642-3112 and ask him to VETO the Video Poker and Internet Lottery out of HB 255 and keep his promise voters.
Look at the chart below to see how your state representative voted, or you can download it by clicking HERE. To see how your state senator voted, please click HERE.
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IFI Update: Gambling Bill (HB 255) Passed in the Senate!
How did they vote?
Wednesday, lawmakers in the Illinois Senate passed HB 255 by a vote of 47 to 12. This bill will legalize video poker and Internet Lottery, to pay for capital construction projects.
This bill is now being considered by the Illinois House. With less than 10 days left in the session, this bill will move fast.
Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or fax to your state representative to tell them 'NO' to more gambling in Illinois! You can also call your state representative in Springfield at 217-782-2000.
Look at the chart below to see how your state senator voted, or you can download it by clicking HERE.
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Pro-lifers Target of Hate Crime in Illinois Town
A hate crimes lawsuit has been filed against the owner of an abortion clinic in Rockford, Illinois.
Wayne Webster's abortion clinic -- located in a community about 90 miles northeast of Chicago -- has gained some notoriety, according to Tom Brechja, president and senior counsel at the Thomas More Society.
"The proprietor of this abortion clinic has been a rather bizarre personality with -- believe it or not -- rubber chickens hanging in the window from nooses," Brechja relates. "He's got religious symbols in the window. They are sacrilegiously defamed." In addition, he says, there is a doll of a nun lying in a coffin with a needle stuck in its heart.
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Congressman Mark Kirk's Feverish Defense of Thought Crimes Legislation
At a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 25, Congressman Mark Kirk attempted to justify "hate crimes" legislation (H.R. 1913) by summoning up the specter of the genocide in Bosnia, and in so doing perpetuated the erroneous claim that homosexuality is analogous to race or ethnicity. In addition, he failed to address the ethical problem of requiring that certain groups be treated unequally before the law; he failed miserably to justify government intrusion into the thought lives of Americans; and he failed to address the likely possibility of hate crimes legislation being used to undermine speech and religious rights.
This proposed legislation, which would designate homosexuals and cross-dressers as protected minority groups, advances the frightening notion that the force of government should be used to coerce and control thoughts. The acts that would be covered by hate crimes legislation are already illegal, punishable, and punished. This legislation does not make illegal any acts that are currently legal. Rather, this legislation would enhance or intensify punishment based on the thoughts, beliefs, or feelings of the perpetrator. This act would require the government to do what no legitimate government has the right or moral authority to do: invade the thought lives of citizens.
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'Choose Life Illinois' Adoption Aid Specialty License Plate Effort
Recently I met with Thomas Brejcha. We discussed with Tom, our lead attorney on the seven year journey we have taken on our efforts to establish the adoption aid specialty license plate, CHOOSE LIFE ILLINOIS as an available plate offered in Illinois.
This effort began in July of 2002. Since that time, 20 states have allowed the Choose Life plates on their highways, with many more (such as Illinois) in the process of approval. We should be aware that in Illinois the approval policy is legislative (the politicians must approve) and not administrative where the policy for approval (such as number of presold plates) is clearly spelled out.
The first trip to the state capitol to get approval was in December of 2002. This was followed by two other efforts (3-03 and 3-04) We were denied a hearing in each instance-- this, with over 60 specialty plates already on the approved list. To the best of my knowledge, CL became the sole plate turned down by the legislators, or for that matter, even denied a hearing in front of the members of the House or Senate. An interesting sideline to this is that the Health and Human Services committee in the Senate was assigned the bill (not the normal Transportation Committee that new plates go through) and the head of this committee who buried the bill in a sub committee was none other than Senator Barack Obama.
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IFI E-Alert: April 7th Local Elections
Often Overlooked, But Very Important
Every two years, Americans go to the polls to elect members to the United States Congress. In four year intervals, the country chooses a president. But too many citizens overlook local races which can have a greater influence on their lives at the grassroots level.
On April 7th, Illinois voters will have an opportunity to the polls to elect candidates running for offices, including local school boards, library boards, township and city council races and a plethora of important elections and referendums which will have a direct impact on policies in the neighborhood. To say these elections are important would be an understatement. School officials determine school administrators, policy and curriculum; county and township commissioners set municipal tax structures and determine the priority of spending your tax dollars; and local township and city council races can influence the path a small town or city may take for years to come.
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Taxpayer Watchdog Responds to Governor Quinn's Budget Proposal, Offers Constructive Solutions
The Illinois chapter of the free market grassroots organization Americans for Prosperity (AFP-IL) today responded to the governor's budget by offering suggestions on how Governor Quinn could reform state government after six years of corruption.
The group was encouraged that the governor spoke of stimulating the economy by cutting taxes for middle-class families and some businesses. They also support trimming wasteful spending from the budget and reducing government spending by 3 percent from all departments except health, safety, and education.
"Governor Quinn provided much hope in his proposed reform agenda. AFP looks forward to working with the governor to enact some of these much needed reforms. However, the governor failed to address how he will reform the states antiquated budgeting process. There should be no rush to pass a tax and spend budget until a process in place that provides a review of how every tax dollar is being spent and to justify those expenditures in a transparent forum," stated AFP-IL State Director Joe Calomino.
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IFI Update: House Committee Passes Homosexual "Civil Unions" Bill
How did they vote?
Despite the fact that Austin Nimocks, Senior Counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), testified against the homosexual "civil unions" bill (HB 2234), it passed out of the Youth & Family Committee today by a vote of 4 to 3 -- strictly along party lines.
TAKE ACTION: Click >>>HERE<<< to send an email or fax to your State Representative today and ask him/her to vote 'NO' to HB 2234 or any other legislation designed to subsidize and legitimize homosexual relationships and change the God-ordained institutions of marriage and family.
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 | Chris Lauzen
State Senator, (R-Aurora)
|
Support SB 600 - Bill for Popular Election of IL GOP State Central Committee
Illinois State Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) has again sponsored SB 600, a bill that will restore direct, popular election of the Republican State Central Committee, so that the State Central Committees of the two major parties in Illinois would be chosen on the same statutory basis.
ACTION: The Illinois Senate Elections Committee has scheduled a hearing on SB 600 for this coming Wednesday, March 4th, in Springfield. Contact these State Senators and let them know you SUPPORT passage of SB 600:Senate Elections Committee:
Chairperson Maggie Crotty (D) - (217) 782-9595
Vice-Chairperson Terry Link (D) - (217) 782-8181
Michael Bond (D) - (217) 782-7353
James Meeks (D) - (217) 782-8066
Louis Viverito (D) - (217) 782-0054
Dale Righter (R) - (217) 782-6674
Randy Hultgren (R) - (217) 782-8022
Dave Luechtefeld (R) - (217) 782-8137
Dan Rutherford (R) - (217) 782-6597
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Illinois Sec. of State Jesse White Says "Anything Goes" at the State Capitol Rotunda
Grants Permission for the Celebration of Nothing, Alongside Nativity Scene and Menorah
It was a great moment. On December 2nd, a Nativity scene was put on display in the state Capitol Building of Illinois. Standing in the Rotunda, a scene depicting the birth of Christ was meant to celebrate the Christmas season. It was truly an uplifting moment for 85% of the population who call themselves Christians. However, I suppose, with the good must come some bad. It is a mark of our society. Sadly, just days after the manger scene went on exhibit, a group of atheists felt the need to erect their own sign. Even though this organization is against the display of any religious message in such a public venue, they decided to put up a sign of their own. Despite facing charges of hypocrisy, the group's disparaging message stands just feet away from the Nativity scene.
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Historic Nativity Scene To Be Unveiled In Illinois State Capitol Building Tuesday, Dec. 2nd
12/1/2008 8:54:00 AM By Daniel T. Zanoza
- RFFM.org
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008, a privately-supported Nativity Scene will go on display in the state Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois. Solely funded and constructed as a result of donations from private citizens, the display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ will stand in the East Hall of the Capitol Building from December 2nd through the 28th.
The Nativity Scene and events surrounding the exhibit are being organized by the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC). The scene -- designed and constructed by Chicago-based builder Karl Fritz and his son master craftsman Timothy Fritz -- will feature the baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary within a manger.
The Nativity Scene can be viewed by the public during normal business hours each day. Also, choirs will be performing near the display throughout the Christmas season, including a performance by the Joyful Senior Singers & Ringers from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur on December 9th.
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Pictures from Marriage Rally & Lobby Day
Approximately eight hundred Illinois residents from around the state joined Illinois Family Institute, Rev. Bob Vanden Bosch, and other Christian leaders in Springfield yesterday to rally, pray, and lobby for natural marriage, religious freedom, parental rights and the innocence of our children. (See photos below.)
State Representatives David Reis (R-Olney) and John Bradley (D-Marion) also joined us in support of natural marriage.
This strong showing sent a critical message to our Illinois lawmakers to stand firm against counterfeit "marriage" (HB 1826).
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Illinois "Choose Life" License Plate Initiative
It was for that worthy purpose that the Illinois Choose Life License Plate Committee was formed, chaired by IFI's own Jim Finnegan. Funds generated from the sale of these tags will support adoption services throughout Illinois.
As of May 2008, 19 states have approved Choose Life specialty license plates; 17 of these states have plates for purchase, with Florida having the most on the road. The concept of Choose Life license plates originated in Florida, where over $5.5 million dollars have already been raised to support adoption. Women are being assisted with the expenses of a full term pregnancy, such as medical bills, temporary housing, transportation, utility bills, food, maternity clothing and related expenses of infant care until their child is placed for adoption.
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Seventh Circuit Rules Against the First Amendment
Claiming there is a difference between "content and viewpoint discrimination," the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a ruling against Choose Life license plates in Illinois. The court effectively ruled that content discrimination is not a First Amendment violation because the state can choose to exclude the "entire subject of abortion." In their view, prohibited viewpoint discrimination would only occur if one side of the subject was allowed, but not the other.
This ruling appears to be inconsistent with the rulings from other Federal appellate courts that required the issuance of Choose Life specialty plates when states rejected them based on message content, finding such actions to be viewpoint discrimination. Most recently in October 2008, appeal of a Ninth Circuit ruling was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. This Ninth Circuit ruling recognized exclusion of one subject, when other subjects were allowed, as viewpoint discrimination.
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Election Results for Pro-Life & Pro-Family Candidates in the Illinois General Assembly
Tuesday's election results look grim if we focus only on the Obama win. However, at our State Capitol, the pro-life and pro-family efforts in Illinois do not look too bad. In the Illinois Senate, there were no losses of incumbent pro-life and pro-family seats. In the Illinois House, there was a net gain of one pro-life, pro-family seat.
In the 96th House District (Naperville area), pro-family Republican Darlene Senger beat Democrat candidate Dianne McGuire who was backed by anti-life groups for Democrat State Representative Joe Dunn's seat. Representative Dunn is not totally aligned with our positions in that she voted for adding "sexual orientation" to the Human Rights Act and she supports embryonic stem cell and human cloning research. We are hopeful that Darlene Senger will be a stronger legislator on our issues.
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IFI Voter Guide -- **SPECIAL LOCAL EDITIONS**
Congressional District Breakouts of IFI's 2008 General Election Voter Guide are now available for download!! (See below)
With Election Day around the corner, it is imperative that voters have information available to help them make educated decisions as they cast their votes for the different candidates.
Listed below, we have 19 different two-page local Voter Guides-one for each of Illinois' Congressional Districts. By printing the two-page local Guide front to back, you can easily make this a one-page handout, which you can then distribute in your neighborhood and local church.
To download these guides, you will need Adobe Acrobat. All you have to do is click on your Congressional District for specific information about the candidates and races in that particular district. (Look up your voting districts HERE or call IFI at 708-781-9328.)
The full version of the IFI 2008 General Election Voter Guide is available for download HERE.
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Vote 'NO' on Constitutional Convention
On November 4th Illinois voters will be asked to decide whether Illinois should convene a state constitutional convention.
According to our 1970 Illinois Constitution, every twenty years the state is required to ask voters whether or not they want to call for a constitutional convention to rewrite or amend the Illinois Constitution. This is one of the years in which voters will determine whether Illinois will reevaluate the state's constitution.
While there are a number of potential benefits to a constitutional convention, the potential costs are far too high. If held right now, a constitutional convention would likely result in a much more liberal state constitution.
Therefore, we strongly urge a "no" vote on the question of calling for a constitutional convention.
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IFI Update: ADF Brief Defends 'Period of Silence' in Illinois Schools
Brief filed by ADF attorneys and allied attorneys asks court to dismiss lawsuit, declare law constitutional.
Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in federal court Thursday in defense of an Illinois law allowing a "period of silence" for students attending the state's public schools. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the atheist who filed the suit, which seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional.
"A period of silence is not unconstitutional just because an atheist fears a student might use it to pray," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman. "There is clearly no constitutional violation here, and we hope that the court will see through the ACLU's attempt to use this case to further its secularist agenda. The emotional response of one offended atheist does not amount to a violation of the Establishment Clause."
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Illinois' Constitutional Convention Question
Every twenty years, Illinois voters are asked if they support or oppose the state holding a constitutional convention. The last convention was held almost forty years ago.
In June 2007, the Decatur Herald Whig concisely encouraged a "Yes" vote on opening our state's constitution this time around. With a convention, they said, Illinois government could:Enact meaningful ethics laws: There's no doubt Illinois has a well-earned reputation as the land of corruption. Stronger ethics laws for state officials would go a long way toward revising that reputation and cleaning up state government.
Reduce the power of legislative leaders: As we've seen in this year's session, the leaders of the House and Senate have enormous power over which issues get addressed. That stranglehold on the legislative process needs to be reduced.
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What Would Jesus Do? Central Illinois Churches may have a good answer to that question with "Together For Lincoln" project
You see these signs everywhere asking, "What Would Jesus Do?" These words are on necklaces, bracelets, T-shirts, even bumper stickers. So I posed the question to myself and this is my answer to that question.
Let's say Jesus Christ and His Disciples were walking down the street of any neighborhood in the United States--or around the world for that matter--and Jesus noticed an elderly woman sitting on a porch of a house in disrepair. What would He do? I picture the Savior of mankind Himself up on a ladder mending a disconnected drain spout. Or He might be on the hot roof of that lady's home repairing some missing shingles. In fact, I see Jesus spending most of His day doing things like this. Of course, He would perform the occasional miraculous healing or deliver a captive soul from oppression, but Christ's primary mission would be to demonstrate love for His neighbors-- and He would expect His followers to learn from his actions.
It seems fourteen churches in the town of Lincoln, Illinois--which is just north of the state capitol of Springfield--have this same vision of love for our fellow man.
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2008 IFI Voter Guide
Special 2008 Presidential and Senatorial Voter Guides Now Available Online!!
Since its inception, one of IFI's primary goals has been to promote active citizenship by encouraging voter registration and education. A key component of that process is the comprehensive, non-partisan Voter Guide.
IFI hopes to distribute (by mail, email and through our website) hundreds of thousands of these Voter Guides across the state. We need your help to get it into the hands of as many people as possible. We also need you to encourage your pastor and other community leaders to distribute the Voter Guide in your area.
PLEASE forward this Presidential Voters Guide to family and friends.
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IFI Update: Gambling Bill (HB 2651) Defeated in the House!
How did they vote?
7/11/2008 7:28:00 AM By Anita Bedell, Executive Director
- ILCAAAP
Wednesday, the House Committee of the Whole heard testimony on the mega gambling expansion bill (HB 2651) on leasing the Lottery (HB 1496). Speaker Madigan's office invited Rev. Tom Grey, Professor John Kindt, to testify on a panel opposing the massive gambling expansion bill (HB 2651).
Then yesterday State Representatives voted to defeat HB 2651. This bill included 3 new casinos, electronic gambling machines at 5 racetracks, electronic poker, Advanced Deposit Wagering that legalizes bookmaking on horse racing on the Internet, cell phones, and in homes. This was the biggest gambling bill that was voted on in both the Senate and House since 1999. We thank God that HB 2651 was defeated in the House.
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DCFS Abuse-- Part 2
Do you know how inspectors were taught to identify counterfeit money before we had our new technology? They learned by studying the intricate detail of each authentic bill. This way, anything out of the ordinary would stand out like a sore thumb. That's how we trained people for the important task of safeguarding our treasury.
But that is not how we train people who are charged with safeguarding a national resource far more valuable than paper money-- children and their families. And there is no technology in line to replace the human element necessary in the Department of Children and Family Services. Unfortunately, they are not taught by observing, studying, and spending time with "healthy" families.
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IFI Update: Illinois House Puts Gambling Expansion On Hold -- For Now
Anita Bedell, ILCAAAP Executive Director, Says Fight Against Massive Gambling Expansion Will Be Long And Hard
Late Saturday evening, a five-part piece of legislation that would have led to a massive expansion of gambling failed to pass through the Illinois General Assembly. Though the five-part bill was approved by the Senate, HB 1496 (which would have allowed the state to lease the state Lottery) fell one vote short of passage. And HB 2651 (which would have increased the number of casinos in the state and legalized other forms of gambling) was tabled for a later date.
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DCFS Abuse
The phone rang in the middle of the grocery store -- as usual. "Someone tattling, no doubt," thought the hurried mom. She had taken the youngest children with her and left her three teenage boys at home.
"She's yelling through the window, Mom! She wants me to open the door. But I told her you weren't home," said the frantic voice on the other end of the phone.
"What? Calm down! Who wants to come in?"
"Some lady, she said she was from DCFS. She said I had to let her in, but I told her I couldn't let her in because my parents weren't home. But she just got mad and started pounding and kicking the door saying I HAD to let her in...what do I do?"
This was not the beginning of a bad movie; it was an episode in one rural family's life that they found as hard to believe as you do.
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SANGAMON COUNTY VOTE IGNORED - House Passes HB 4758
How did they vote?
More than 63,800 registered voters, asked for the right to vote "before" gambling expanded in Sangamon County. Even though it represented 90 percent of the voters on the 1994 referendum, the Legislature did not respect the vote and wishes of the people in Sangamon County.
Today State Representatives voted to pass HB 4758 to expand the number of racing days at the State Fairgrounds from 6 days a year to up to nine months a year. The measure also brings with it six off track betting parlors. Should legislators pass a proposal to legalize slot machines at Illinois race tacks, it places the State Fairgrounds in a position to become a land-based casino.
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IFI Update: IFI Helps Stop Legislative Attempt to Dilute the "Moment of Silence" Law!
Members of the Illinois State Senate Education Committee decide not to pass a bill that would remove the word "prayer" from the Moment of Silence law.
Last year, Springfield lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill (SB 1463) to amend the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. This legislation requires (instead of simply making it optional) a teacher to observe a brief period of silence for prayer or reflection in Illinois classrooms.
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) supported the proposed change to the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act believing the legislation is an affirmative step towards recognizing religious freedom in the public square which is protected within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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 | TAKE ACTION:
Click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state lawmakers and the governor to let them know you are in favor of Title V funds for abstinence education. |
Sex Education Will Be an Issue This November
Despite political pundits' disparaging comments that social issues will not be as important in 2008 as they were in the 2000 and 2004 elections, the Hard Left isn't buying it. They are pushing to eliminate any federal funds spent on abstinence education, making what kids are taught about sex an issue in the upcoming presidential and congressional races.
Last week, abstinence education opponent U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) called for Congressional hearings to discuss whether abstinence education is providing medically-sound information and statistically making a difference in our youth's decisions on whether or not to postpone sexual activity.
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IFI Update: Good News! Homosexual Teachers Bill Falls Short in the Illinois House
How did they vote?
You made a difference! Thank you for taking action on this bill!
Thanks in part to your phone calls, emails, and the work of our lobbyists, the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield voted 43 to 67 (with 1 voting 'present') yesterday, defeating HB 4731, a bill that would have allowed homosexual partners of public school teachers to qualify as surviving spouses for purpose of survivor and death benefits.
You made a difference! Thank you for taking action on this bill!
Look at the chart below to see how your State Representative voted, or you can download it by clicking HERE.
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Peoria: The 4am Bar License Problem
Does the Public Want to Speak Out?
A modicum of interest has been generated by a decision of the Peoria City Council to expand the boundaries, on a trial basis, of the district wherein alcoholic beverages can be served until 4:00 a.m.
Seventeen citizens spoke against expanding the 4:00 a.m. district at a Peoria City Council meeting held September 25, 2007, and most of those also opposed allowing bars to remain open until 4:00 a.m. anywhere in Peoria.
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IL Church's Missing Million
In like a lion...out like a lamb. That's March. It could also be said of the recent history of Illinois governors. In like a lion, roaring about what they're going to do...out like a lamb--handcuffed and led off to jail.
Only time will tell whether or not Blagojevich will follow his predecessor with criminal charges, but his handling of state funds is criminal enough. Like our Illinois weather, our governor has been boisterous and defiant of common sense.
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Cook County 9%, the Lord 10%
If you live in Cook County or nearby, you're likely to have heard the uproar of business owners and taxpayers who are facing a sales tax increase in order to fill a massive county budget gap. On the county's boundaries, electronic stores will face huge hits when everyone gets from the feds their $600 per person to jumpstart the struggling economy.
After the sales tax goes into effect, a married couple with $1200 to spend on a new washer, refrigerator, laptop, digital TV, DVD player or whatever will face a choice. They could spend that $1200 at a Cook County Best Buy, where they will pay $108.00 in sales tax. Or they can choose a Best Buy on the northside of Lake-Cook Road, and pay $93 in taxes.
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Charlene Cothran at Concerned Citizens for America Event
3/5/2008 8:59:00 AM -CCA
Concerned Citizens for America would like to invite you to attend an event featuring former lesbian Charlene Cothran, publisher and editor-in-chief of Venus Magazine on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at Hoffman House in Rockford (Map of 7550 E State Street).
The presentation starts at 7pm and is free and open to the public.
The topic of Ms. Cothran's presentation is "How Homosexuality Destroys Families, Not Just Values." Please contact Charlene Cothran at 609-638-6568 if you desire more information.
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 | Vote this Saturday -- March 8th, in the 14th Congressional District Special Election! |
IFI Reminder: This Saturday -- Special Election in the 14th Congressional District!
Dear Neighbor,
This Saturday, March 8th, in a Special Election to be held in the 14th Congressional District, you and your neighbors will choose who will serve the remainder of Rep. Dennis Hastert's term in Congress.
Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Bill Foster are running for this open seat in this Special Election. You can learn more about the candidates by viewing their debate on ABC7Chicago (Part 1, Part 2) or by visiting their "Issues" pages on their campaign websites. Just click on the following links, or call the campaign number listed below each candidate's link:
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 | TAKE ACTION: Please CLICK HERE to contact your State Representative to ask him/her to vote AGAINST the Equal Rights Amendment. |
The Equal Rights Amendment Will Hurt Women and Our Society
2/27/2008 1:00:00 PM -Elise Bouc, Director of Illinois Stop-ERA
The Federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) which is currently before the Illinois legislature for ratification isn't what it appears to be. It's touted as a simple amendment that will provide equal rights to women.
While we all agree with equal rights for women, this amendment will not increase women's rights, but instead will strip away their current protections and benefits. Because of its vague language and broad coverage, it will also legalize same-sex marriages, mandate state funding of elective abortions, and weaken the balanced structure of our government.
In over thirty years of debate, ERA proponents have been unable to identify any additional rights women will receive through the ERA. The laws that provide women with equal rights already exist. The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution has been interpreted by the courts to prohibit gender-based discrimination.
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IFI Update: Convenient Committee Move Used to Pass ERA
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) substitutes two 'NO' votes with two 'YES' votes in the committee hearing this morning to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
Last week I sent out an email telling you that the ERA didn't have the support that was needed to pass out of committee. Of course I did point out that it was not dead, and that it still could be moved forward. And thanks to a convenient procedural move, that is exactly what happened. (Democratic and Republican Leaders are able to temporarily appoint other lawmakers to fill a member's committee seat in his/her absence.)
This morning in Judiciary 1 Committee bill sponsor Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago) pulled a fast one on us. By the authority of Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), two absent Democratic 'NO' votes -- Rep. Careen Gordon (Coal City) and Rep. John Bradley (Marion) -- were substituted with two Democratic 'YES' votes -- Rep. Gregg Harris (Chicago) and Rep. Mary Flowers (Chicago).
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Illinois Primary Report: Little Faith or Big Hope?
So, how did Illinois' earliest primary ever fare for the state's values voters?
Just as those post-Exodus spies sent into the Promised Land fourteen centuries ago reported back about Canaanite activity, today's answer would be, "Well folks, there's good news and there's bad . . ." Indeed, those spies' reports reflected their worldviews: one of big hope or of little faith.
The same is true for Illinois values voters' post-February 5. For those values voters who've been praying for the Land of Lincoln to become a land of milk and honey for family values, the "giants-in-the-land" initial report would ring true because there's plenty of discouraging news.
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IFI Update: ERA Stalled
ERA bill not called for its scheduled hearing...
Earlier this week, we sent out an IFI E-Alert asking you to contact your state representative to urge them to vote against this bad legislation.
Thanks in part to your phone calls and emails, the sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago), decided not to call its scheduled committee hearing -- due to a lack of support!
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Local Voter Guides!
We are please to present to you our special voter guide additions: 19 different two-page LOCAL Voter Guides from the Illinois Family Institute -- one for each of Illinois' Congressional Districts. Click on your Congressional District for specific information about the candidates and races in that particular district. (Look up your voting districts HERE or call IFI at 630-790-8370.)
The full version of the IFI 2008 Primary Election Voter Guide is available for download HERE.
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Early Voting Ongoing for the February 5th Primary Election
Illinois' Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, February 5th.
Early Voting
Did you know you can vote BEFORE election day? Early voting started last week, and allows you to vote early (in-person) for the 2008 Primary. This convenience is available to registered voters through Thursday, January 31, 2008.
Early voting allows voters to cast a full ballot before the observed election date. Although voters can still go to their polling place on Primary Election Day, this is intended to make voting easier for everyone. This cuts down on lines at the polling place and allows voters to vote when it fits their schedule.
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IFI Voter Guide -- **SPECIAL EDITIONS**
Special 2008 Presidential Primary Voter Guides Now Available Online!!
Congressional District Breakouts of IFI's Voter Guide are now also available for download. (See below)With Election Day approaching and early balloting already underway, it is imperative that voters have information available to help them make educated decisions as they cast their votes for the different candidates. In the past, many pro-family activists have clipped specific parts of our Voter Guide to make their own local one-page handout. This year, you don't have to do that, as we have already done the work for you.
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It's Primary Election Season!
IFI's Voter Guides are now available!
The 2008 Illinois Primary Election is just around the corner. The Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary have come and gone, and in a few short weeks, on February 5, 2008, Illinois citizens will also choose candidates seeking state and federal offices, including: U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois State Senate, and Illinois House of Representatives.
IFI has compiled and produced our 2008 Illinois Primary Election Voter Guide to help Illinois citizens make educated and informed decisions about the candidates on the February 5th ballot. The guide is non-partisan and is not intended to endorse or oppose any candidate, whether explicitly or implicitly. It simply provides pertinent information about the candidates themselves (when available), and their positions on issues of importance.
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Tax Increase for Mass Transit
In an effort to fund mass transit, Springfield lawmakers passed legislation yesterday that would increase Chicago regional sales taxes.
The bill raises the sales tax in DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties by 0.5 percent. It would also increase the real estate transfer tax in Chicago. According to the Daily Herald, the sales tax increase adds 25 cents to a $100 purchase.
Governor Rod Blagojevich will sign the bill, but plans to amend the transit bill by requiring free bus and train rides to senior citizens. If he does that, the bill will have to once again be approved by the General Assembly.
Read more...
ADF Joins IFI In Battle For Moment of Silence
 The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) will be defending the new Moment of Silence law. ADF is a non-profit legal alliance that works to preserve and protect our first liberties.
State Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Approve New Law
In October of 2007, with a strong bipartisan vote, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill that would require a "Moment of Silence" before the start of each day in public schools. Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) vetoed the legislation. However, in a show of unusual unity, state legislators overrode the Governor's veto by a significant margin. (The Illinois Senate voted 42-9, and the Illinois House voted 74-37.)
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Henry Hyde: A Statesman, Not a Politician
In Memoriam
Henry Hyde:
A Statesman, Not a Politician
April 18, 1924 - November 29, 2007
This morning, Illinois and the Nation suffered a great loss. Former U.S. Representative, Henry Hyde, died at the age of 83.
Rep. Hyde had undergone triple-bypass heart surgery in July of this year and his health had been failing in recent months. However, Rep. Hyde will not be remembered for the way he died. He will be remembered for the way he lived, and his legacy will stand for many years as an example of service to God and country.
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Illinois 'Choose Life' Plates Go Before U.S. Court of Appeals
Three-Judge Panel to Hear Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's Appeal of Lower Court Order to Begin Producing 'Choose Life' Plates
Lawyers for Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, appeared before a three-Judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals today to urge that a lower court ruling that Illinois begin producing "Choose Life" specialty license plates be overturned.
The arguments are taking place in the appellate courtroom on the 27th floor of the Dirksen Federal Building at 219 South Dearborn Street -- the corner of Adams and Dearborn Streets -- in downtown Chicago. Each side will argue for twenty minutes before three appellate Judges, whose identities are never disclosed until the morning of the oral argument.
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 | Hate Crimes Laws
Can we have "equal protection"
for all if we have special protections for some? |
FBI Hate Crimes Statistics Released – Race Still Leads With Sexual Orientation a Distant Third
Illinois Hate Crimes Down
The newly released FBI stats show that nationally 7,722 hate crimes incidences occurred in 2006 compared to 7,163 in 2005, an 8 percent overall increase. Of these all but two were single-bias incidences in which "51.8 percent were motivated by a racial bias, 18.9 percent were motivated by a religious bias, 15.5 percent were triggered by a sexual-orientation bias."
Specifically, for the top three categories, 4,000 were bias motivated incidences dealing with race (of those 2,640 were anti-black), 1,462 dealing with anti-religious bias, and 1,196 based on sexual orientation.
These statistics also report 156 hate crime incidences in Illinois in 2006 -- down from 168 in 2005.
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Abstinence program could be next state budget fiasco victim
GLENVIEW -- Just as the Center for Disease Control announced an explosion in the number of sexually-transmitted diseases among America's young people, Illinois has discovered that after twenty years, it can't afford to include abstinence education in it's state budget.
In what can only be seen as another maneuver to set public policy from the Governor's office, Illinois' Department of Human Services recently informed Project Reality -- the state's key abstinence education provider -- that the non-profit group has been eliminated from the state budget.
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Governor misplaces abstinence funding
Hmmm...the governor's DHS can't find the $$ to fund Project Reality this year.
Maybe part of the mystery of where the Governor found $21 million to avert the CTA doomsday is solved.
Don't you wonder what other program funding for projects the governors supporters don't like is missing?
From State Rep. Bob Pritchard's weekly newsletter:
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IFI Update: Casino Bill Passes in the Illinois Senate
How did they vote?
Last night, the Illinois State Senate voted 37 to 15 (with 6 voting 'present') to pass HB 2035, a bill that will expand gambling with three new casinos.
Look at the chart below to see how your State Senator voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
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"Politics" a dirty word?
Planned Parenthood apparently thinks there is a Federal law that prevents communities from discriminating against them. They will argue in Federal Court that Aurora "has become corrupted by politics." Planned Parenthood attorneys will demand that the Federal Court force Aurora to allow the September 18th opening of their $7.5 million facility. They will argue that an ongoing investigation by Aurora into whether Planned Parenthood failed to comply with local ordinances cannot be justified, even though Planned Parenthood used deceptive means to obtain permits for building their abortion fortress at 3051 E. New York Street.
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Debate over Aurora Planned Parenthood facility may be significant beyond comprehension
The controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's construction of a new abortion facility in Aurora, Illinois is certainly significant. There is currently a debate over whether the organization deceived Aurora's city officials in the planning stages before construction of the site began. However, the entire matter brings to light even more important issues surrounding abortion, not only in Illinois, but in our nation as well.
Whether or not Planned Parenthood acted in good faith while seeking the proper permits and handling other 'red tape' issues is something that will be, most likely, hashed out in the courts. Without going into the minutiae regarding whether the nation's largest abortion provider was upfront in the matter, there is a reality hidden in the political fog concerning Planned Parenthood's alleged improper conduct. Why did Planned Parenthood feel it was necessary to obscure the true purpose of the recently completed abortion facility in Aurora? If some of the allegations facing Planned Parenthood are true, the bigger question is why.
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Blagojevich's failure to sign budget leaves many in limbo
8/20/2007 11:31:00 AM
By Dan Zanoza
Though the Illinois General Assembly has passed a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, you wouldn't know it. That's because Governor Rod Blagojevich has decided to exercise his line item veto rights.
The governor has stated the reason he has not signed the budget into law is because he wants to trim millions of dollars worth of political pork out of the budget before he puts his signature on the document.
Blagojevich's plans have not set well with both Houses of the Democratic-led legislature in Illinois. Indeed, Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has inferred the Governor's plan to trim excess spending out of the budget may face constitutional problems.
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From today's Daily Herald
$852,775 and we're counting
Monday, August 06, 2007
This is the estimated cost of keeping lawmakers in Springfield so far. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ordered them to stay in overtime until they can give him a budget deal to his liking. Such things as lawmakers' meals, housing and mileage can cost upward of $42,000 a day.
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Springfield Update
The Illinois General Assembly was to have completed its business for the Spring legislative session by May 31, 2007. However, the Democrats, who control the Illinois Senate, the Illinois House, and the governor's office have been at odds over spending issues like "universal healthcare," education, funding the state pension, and how to raise revenues to pay for increased funding for them all and cover an estimated $1 billion deficit for the new fiscal year.
As you know, no budget was agreed upon as May came to a close. This means it will now take a 3/5's majority to pass a budget. Since the Democrats don't have 3/5's in both chambers, this gives the Republicans a seat at the budget table, which will require more time and more give-and-take to fashion a budget. Yet lawmakers have found time to vote themselves a ten percent raise -- which will cost Illinois taxpayers another $1.5 million dollars. (According to the Associated Press, that includes a hike in pay for legislators, executive office heads, and judges.) If Governor Blagojevich doesn't veto this new expenditure, the base salary for General Assembly members will increase from $57,600 a year to $63,000.
Read more...
 | The ISBA joins homosexual activists and their allies who are pushing for the passage of counterfeit marriage legislation (HB 1826).
ACTION: CLICK HERE to send a message to your state lawmakers and ISBA president-elect. |
Illinois Bar Association Votes in Favor of Counterfeit Marriage
The ISBA has now joined homosexual activists and their allies in pushing for the passage of counterfeit marriage legislation (HB 1826).
ACTION: CLICK HERE to send a message to both of your state lawmakers and the ISBA president-elect to tell them you are AGAINST any counterfeit marriage proposal ("civil unions") that would give preferential treatment to relationships based on immoral, unhealthy and changeable behavior.
Despite significant divisions among its membership, over the weekend, the 201-member Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) voted to support "civil unions" legislation as an alternative to traditional marriage as one man and one woman.
The resolution that was passed on Saturday June 23rd supports Rep. Greg Harris' (D-Chicago) HB 1826. The resolution states that civil unions may include homosexual couples or heterosexual couples and those persons who enter into "civil unions" must be at least 18 years old.
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IFI Update: SB 715 - School "Health" Clinic Bill Passes Illinois House
How did they vote?
Late last night, State Representatives in Springfield voted 74 to 40 to pass SB 715, a bill that will appropriate $5 million to create 20 new school health centers which can dispense birth control and condoms, and provide abortion referrals.
Look at the chart below to see how your state representative voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
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 | "I told Merck my personal opinion & they heard it from [ACIP] committee members. The vaccines out there now are for very communicable diseases. A child in school is not at an increased risk for HPV like he is measles." ~Dr. John Abramson
Chairman, Centers for Disease Control
Feb. 27, 2007 |
IFI Update: HPV Education Bill Replaces HPV Mandate
Illinois lawmakers decide to educate parents on the dangers of the HPV rather than mandating the vaccine. Legislators in the State Senate voted 40-15 in favor of this bill, while State Representatives voted unanimously, 116-0 to pass the measure on to Governor Blagojevich.
Back in February, IFI alerted you to two similar bills (SB 10 and HB 115) that would have mandated parents (with young girls) to take medical action for an immunization of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can lead to cervical cancer or genital warts.
This bill would have usurped a parent's responsibility to oversee the health and medical care of their female child. But thanks in part to IFI's lobbying efforts and your calls, emails and prayers, these bills appear to have been abandoned in favor of an HPV education only bill -- which passed the Illinois House today, and is now on its way to the Governor for his signature.
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IFI Update: Senate Passes HB 1124 to Legalize Gambling in Bars
How did They Vote?
Yesterday, Senators in Springfield voted 46 to 5 to pass HB 1124, which legalizes gambling in bars. While this bill might be a concession to bar owners to implement the smoking ban, it will expand gambling in all communities statewide.
Look at the chart below to see how your state senator voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
HB 1124 legalizes gambling on video games "simulating contests" between 2 or more individuals. While HB 1124 states that card games are not included, this type of gambling will expand in increments. Gambling interests will come back each year to expand until video poker is in every community.
Read more...
 | SB 650
Up in Smoke... |
IFI Update: Good News! Marijuana Bill Fails in the Illinois Senate
How did they vote?
Senators in Springfield vote 22 to 29 against a bill that would have allowed qualifying persons to grow 12 cannabis plants indoors and have possession of 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana.
Look at the chart below to see how your state senator voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
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IFI Update: Great News! Internet Filtering Bill Passes in the Illinois House; Moving on to the Senate
How did they vote?
Representatives in Springfield voted 63 to 51 (with one 'present' vote) to pass HB 1727, a bill that would require neighborhood public libraries to filter pornographic websites to protect our children and families.
For just about ten years now, even before coming to IFI, I have been working alongside other pro-family leaders in trying to get this common sense legislation passed in Illinois.
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IFI Update: Good News! Fake Parental Rights Bill Fails in the Illinois House
How did they vote?
Representatives in Springfield voted 55 to 62 to defeat HB 317, a bill that would have allowed certain "responsible parties" to circumvent God-given parental authority.
Thank you for taking action on this bill! Your phone calls and emails made a difference.
Look at the chart below to see how your state representative voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
Read more...
Sacrificing the Chief on the altar of political correctness
4/2/2007 6:00:00 PM
By Rhonda Robinson
More than once during my tumultuous teen years, I thought about the difference between the world in which I was living and the world in which my mother grew up.
There were no police patrolling her hallways, no drug dealers-- teachers simply taught and children learned. As a student, she only had to fear a bad grade or perhaps the repercussions of her own bad behavior when she returned home.
The first 15 minutes of the evening news can once again send me pondering the differences between the generations-- which now seem as if they are light years apart, rather than just a few decades.
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IFI Update: House Committee Passes Homosexual "Civil Unions" Bill
How did they vote?
IFI's Dave Smith and dozens of pro-family activists appeared before the House Human Services Committee today in opposition of HB 1826.
Unfortunately, the homosexual "civil unions" bill passed out of committee today by a vote of 5 to 4.
ACTION: Please contact your State Representative today and ask him/her to oppose HB 1826. Tell them that a vote for this bill is a vote for gay marriage. (More to come on this issue soon.)
Phone calls are the best way to communicate with your legislators. They are effective! Lawmakers keep track of how many calls they receive on given issues, and if they receive numerous calls about a bill, they will recognize that the bill is of concern to their constituents.
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IFI Update: House Committee Passes Library Internet Filtering Bill
How did they vote?
IFI's Dave Smith testified before the House Committee in support of HB 1727
Good News! The library Internet filtering bill passed out of committee late this morning by a vote of 9 to 5 (8 votes were needed). Now begins the hard work of convincing 60 House members of the importance of this bill to safeguard our families and children.
Below is the vote roll call, please call and thank those who voted in favor of HB 1727:
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IFI Update: Illinois Senate Passes Embryonic Stem Cell and Cloning Bill
How did they vote?
Senators in Springfield vote 35 to 23 to use tax dollars to fund human embryonic stem cell research and cloning. Thirty votes were needed to pass this bill. It now moves on to the House for further debate.
Look at the chart below to see how your state senator voted, or you can also download it by clicking HERE.
ACTION: Please contact your state representative and ask him/her to vote against tax payer funding for embryonic stem cell research. The bill reference number is HB 138. The switchboard phone number in Springfield is 217-782-2000.
Click HERE to look up your elected officials or call the IFI office at 630-790-8370.
Read more...
Illinois' Choose Life License Plate
January 22nd was a special day in the hearts and minds of many. Couples who have had the heartbreak of not being able to complete their families through the beauty of adoption now have greater hope. Women and men who have given their time at adoption agencies, crisis pregnancy centers, homes for unwed mothers, and organizations specializing in placing special needs children and foster children, could now get a helping hand.
Read more...
 | Lisa Madigan (D-Chicago)
Illinois Attorney General |
Kudos to Lisa Madigan
In 1995, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to give parents a say regarding the medical health of children. The Parental Notice of Abortion Act was signed into law by then Governor Jim Edgar.
However, a federal court held the law could not take effect because the Illinois Supreme Court in 1995 refused to promulgate rules for expedited appeal procedures as required to allow the law to go into effect. Subsequently, the law lay dormant until September of 2006, when the Illinois Supreme Court put into place the required guidelines which addressed the federal court's concerns.
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Warren, Obama: It takes more than wings to fly
Despite pressure from social conservatives, Pastor Rick Warren refused to uninvite U.S. Sen. Barack Obama from his AIDS conference last week, although Obama is pro-abortion and pro-homosexual.
During the conference, Warren explained, "You have to have two wings to fly," apparently a right wing and a left wing.
In so many words Warren portrayed conservatives as bigoted for demanding that those we allow in our flock agree on all issues, as if that were actually true, and as if abortion and homosexuality were just issues to be lumped with all others.
In fact, Warren tried to separate them in a statement, saying "Obama was invited to share his views on AIDS, not abortion or any other issue."
So according to Warren, Obama can oppose the AIDS virus, which has killed 25 million people worldwide since 1983, while supporting the major cause of AIDS, homosexuality, and supporting abortion, which has killed 1 billion people worldwide since 1973 (including babies aborted because their mothers had AIDS).
Read more...
 | Four years ago, Mary Stachowicz was raped, sodomized, stabbed, beat and strangled to death by Nicholas Gutierrez.
Gutierrez later admitted that he killed Mary, a devote Catholic, because she talked to him about the spiritual and physical harm of his homosexual behavior. |
IFI EXCLUSIVE: Stachowicz Murder Case Proves that the Hate Crimes Commission is Dysfunctional
11/13/2006 2:51:00 PM
By Daniel T. Zanoza
During Rod Blagojevich's first term as Governor, he created the Discrimination and Hate Crimes Commission. The case of the brutal rape and murder of Mary Stachowicz would have been a perfect study for this body.
Mary Stachowicz, a 51 year-old mother of four and practicing member of the Catholic faith, was brutally sodomized, raped and stabbed to death November 13, 2002 by a self-confessed homosexual. In defense of the murderer, Nicholas Gutierrez, his court-appointed Public Defender, Crystal Marchigiani, admitted the killing took place because Stachowicz was critical of the defendant's homosexual lifestyle.
Though tragic, this trial seemed like a perfect opportunity for Blagojevich's Commission on Hate Crimes to explore how an individual could be brutalized and stabbed over and over again simply for criticizing the way Gutierrez lived.
Read more...
 | Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Incoming Speaker of the House? |
2006 Midterm Elections & Conservative Values
11/8/2006 1:30:00 PM
By David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director
Pro-family citizens certainly don't like the idea of having the very liberal Nancy Pelosi as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, and we have good reason to be very concerned that Senate President Emil Jones now has a veto-proof majority on the Senate side of the Illinois General Assembly. Yet amid all the bad news, we do have some good news on the marriage front -- though we may have now suffered our first defeat.
Read more...
Voter Guide -- SPECIAL EDITIONS
11/7/2006 4:36:00 AM
By David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director
Congressional District Breakouts of IFI's Voter's Guide are now available for download.
We have put together 19 two-paged Voter Guides for each of Illinois' Congressional Districts. You can easily condense this to one page by copying it front to back before distributing them far and wide.
With Election Day approaching and early balloting already underway, it is imperative that voters have information available to help them make educated decisions as they cast their votes for the different candidates. In the past, many pro-family activists have clipped specific parts of our Voter Guide to make their own local one-page handout. This year, you don't have to do that, as we have already done the work for you.
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Illinois voters don't have voice on crucial issues
11/5/2006 4:48:00 PM By Fran Eaton, guest columnist for The Star
- The Star News
In a true democracy, the people's voice is pertinent. In Illinois, it is irrelevant.
This week, people in states all around Illinois will be asked to make dramatic changes to their state constitutions. State ballots will ask citizens' opinions on issues such as how the term "marriage" should be defined, whether public funds should pay for stem cell research and whether abortions should be outlawed.
Illinoisans' voices on these issues will not be heard next week. But it isn't due to lack of trying.
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 | The full version of the IFI 2006 General Election Voter Guide is available for download HERE. |
Why Didn't Candidates Answer Voter Guide Questions?
11/1/2006 7:28:00 AM
By David E. Smith, IFI Executive Director
Despite contacting the campaign offices of political candidates 5 to 6 times by phone, mail, and/or fax and email, far too many candidates failed to respond to our survey.
The Illinois Family Institute will be distributing more than 200,000 of our voter guides throughout the state-- and thousands more will be printed from our website. I do not understand why so many who are competing for public office refuse to take every opportunity to inform the public they wish to serve of the values and ideals they hold, which they will, in turn, represent? It makes me wonder if they really want to serve the people, or if they are seeking to simply serve themselves as so many corrupt officials have done.
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 | House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones have an absolute lock on the legislative process.
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All Power to the Oligarchs
Apparently the three-judge panel of the 7th Appellate Court has no experience with Illinois politics.
Justices Richard Posner, Daniel Kanne and Michael Manion have ruled that the Protect Marriage referendum will not be on the fall ballot.
The three have ruled that onerous rules governing the collection of advisory petition signatures set by the General Assembly are "no problem," so to speak.
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 | Not so proud Judy?
Judy Baar Topinka waves to crowd during her annual participation in the "gay pride" parade. Shortly after this photo was taken, a Topinka staffer used his rainbow flag to try and block Matt Barber from videotaping her float. Click HERE for a Photo Album of the 2006 "gay pride" parade.
[Click on Photos to Enlarge] |
Topinka Aide Tries to Block Filming of Her "Gay Pride" Float
S-x Club Also Has Float
6/26/2006 5:20:00 PM
By Peter LaBarbera, Illinois Family Institute
Both Judy Baar Topinka (R) and Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) attended Sunday's "Gay Pride" parade in Chicago. I was on hand with Matt Barber of Americans for Truth to monitor the event, and we were not surprised to find the usual array of erotic floats and occasionally disgusting stunts.
The parade was certainly nothing to be proud of--as one Topinka staffer seemed to understand as he used his rainbow flag to try and block Matt from filming Topinka's float.
About 10 spots behind Topinka (and then Gov. Blagojevich's delegation) was a float for Steamworks, a 24/7 gay bathhouse in Chicago's "Boystown" neighborhood (see IFI press release below) which doubles as a "gym" and facilitates anonymous sex for gay men. Later there was lesbian float on which a two women simulated a (male) sex act, as the crowd cheered on.
{Click HERE for a link to a "Photo Album" of the 2006 Chicago "Gay Pride Parade"; WARNING: some photos are offensive.)
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An Epidemic of self-deception
6/26/2006 8:04:00 AM
By Rhonda Robinson
There's probably not a fancy Latin name for it--this disorder I have. I believe it began innocently enough around my mid-teens. After waiting my whole life to turn 16; I simply wanted to stay 16 forever. When my 17th birthday rolled around, I refused to acknowledge it, and turned 16 all over again. Later, I developed the theory that if I lied about my age long enough starting at age 17, by the time I hit middle-age; no one would know how old I really was.
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Help Us Defend the Petition From the Left!
6/4/2006 3:10:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
Below is a listing of the total number of signatures submitted to each of Illinois' 110 election jurisdictions.
Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of more than 11,500 Illinois residents, the Protect Marriage Illinois (PMI) petition drive was a great success--over 347,000 conforming signatures were turned in.
The Illinois Board of Elections--working through all 110 local election clerks--is conducting a sample review of the petitions to make a judgment as to whether there are enough valid signatures to qualify the Marriage Referendum for the ballot.
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Blagojevich 'Partners' Order Undermines Marriage, but Where Is the GOP Outrage?
5/12/2006 11:03:00 AM
By Peter LaBarbera, Illinois Family Institute
And now, some quick thoughts on Gov. Blagojevich's unctuous Executive Order providing homosexual "Domestic Partner" benefits to all state employees--on the very day that Protect Marriage Illinois turned in over 345,000 signatures to place a pro-marriage referendum on the ballot in November.
TAKE ACTION: Call your state senator and representative and respectfully request that he or she oppose including ANY taxpayer dollars for homosexual "domestic partner" benefits in the budget. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 217-782-2000, but it is best to call their local offices since the Session is over. Call IFI at 630-790-8370 if you need help finding contact information for your legislators.
The Executive Order will force Illinois taxpayers to subsidize immoral homosexual relationships, and it undermines marriage in Illinois. So one wonders: why isn't there a lot of GOP outrage over this latest power grab by the governor?
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 | Homosexual activists brag that the marriage amendment has been "successfully bottled up in committees..." We can specifically blame House Speaker Madigan for refusing to let the General Assembly vote on it. |
Thwarting Democracy
5/5/2006 5:48:00 AM
By David E. Smith, Protect Marriage Illinois
"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry." ~William F. Buckley Jr.
The truth of this statement cannot be more applicable than in the current struggle to defend marriage. Since the forced legalization of same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts in 2004, 15 states have adopted constitutional amendments preserving traditional marriage on a ballot, averaging a vote of over 71 percent. That gives us a total of 19 states which have added marriage amendments to their state constitutions. The American people overwhelmingly and clearly reject the idea that marriage could be anything but the union of one man and one woman.
Despite this, we repeatedly see one branch of the government usurping the will of the people, and imposing instead, the radical agenda of a tiny, but vocal group.
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 | Rev. and St. Sen. James Meeks is not afraid to discuss the right to life and the sanctity of marriage. |
Meeks Entry into Governor's Race Could Give 'Values Voters' a Choice in November
3/28/2006 11:29:00 AM
By Peter LaBarbera, Illinois Family Institute
Like many of you, I was devastated to learn on Election Night that Illinois voters would be facing a choice for governor in November between two major party candidates who strongly support both the homosexual activist agenda and abortion as a basic "right."
Then along comes Rev. and State Sen. James Meeks, who is seriously considering a run for governor as an independent candidate. Many observers speculate that Meeks is merely trying to gain favors from Gov. Blagojevich by feigning a run, but it appears he truly sees an opportunity arising from the moral degradation of both the Republican and Democrat parties.
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Blagojevech Spokesman Blasts IFI as "Spewing Intolerance" while Embracing Leader of Anti-Semitic 'Nation of Islam'
3/14/2006 7:45:00 AM
By Chuck Goudie, Daily Herald editorialist
"The Illinois Family Institute is a right-wing organization that consistently spews intolerance under the banner of religious enlightenment. Their recent effort to remove Rick Garcia from the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes reflects that intolerance and will in no way alter our support of Rick's service. It is clearly time to bring people together and not push them apart." So said a spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is defending a leader of the notoriously anti-Semitic Nation of Islam, as well as Garcia, a homosexual activist who again smeared Catholic Cardinal George as a "bigot."
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 | Rick Garcia,
political director for Equality Illinois, routinely demonizes religious people opposed to homosexuality as "bigots"--even fellow Catholic Cardinal George of Chicago. |
IFI News: Gay Activist Garcia's Anti-Christian Bigotry Reason for Removal From Governor's 'Hate' Commission
3/3/2006 12:32:00 PM
By Illinois Family Institute
GLEN ELLYN, IL.--Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Peter LaBarbera is calling on Governor Rod Blagojevich to remove homosexual activist Rick Garcia from the state's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes-citing Garcia's disturbing record of smearing religious-based groups and leaders who adhere to traditional Scriptural teachings on sex and marriage.
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 | Homosexual activists tolerate sex clubs and bathhouses in their communities, but some cannot tolerate a loving message of change for people wanting to leave their "gay" identity behind. Above is the defaced billboard advertising a recent "Love Won Out" conference in St. Louis for ex-"gays," put on by Focus on the Family. |
IFI Calls for Reinstatement of Federal Ban on HIV-Infected Travelers after Daley Helps Lift HIV Ban for Chicago "Gay Games" in July
3/1/2006 10:10:00 AM
"The public health goal of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS must take precedence over the political wants of homosexual advocates. Just because Mayor Daley and the homosexual community tolerate sex clubs that facilitate immoral and reckless behavior, does not mean that the people of Chicago should," says IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera, in reaction to reports in Chicago homosexual press that a lobbying campaign had succeeded in the Federal Government waiving its ban on HIV-infected travelers to the United States for the "Gay Games," to be held in Chicago in July. IFI will be fighting to reinstate the ban on HIV-Infected travelers to the "Gay Games."
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