Illinois Family Spotlight

“If Americans are going to reject abortion, they need to know what happens in an abortion. Who are the victims of abortion? What impact does it have on those mothers and fathers who choose abortion and on society as a whole.” – Anne Scheidler Standing on the side of a busy highway, Monte Larrick talks with Anne Scheidler, vice president of the pro-life action league during the organization’s Face the Truth tour. Volunteers have been lining Chicago streets with signs and photos calling attention to abortion and its victims: unborn babies and their mothers.… Continue Reading

Illinois is the abortion capitol of the Midwest. Women from states that have safegaurds to protect babies are choosing the land of Lincoln for surgical abortions or, increasingly, aboriton drugs. Donna Williams is trying to counter that. As the executive director for PASS network for Life, she leads the pregnancy based care center in Tinley Park to protect and promote life.… Continue Reading

Recording from the annual Illinois Christian Home Educator’s (ICHE) Convention at Olivet Nazarine University in Bourbonais, Monte Larrick conducts his annual interview with ICHE’s executive director, Kirk Smith.  … Continue Reading

Organizers contend that the Spring 40 Days for Life campaign drew record participation this year! 40 Days for Life is a local-based ministry aimed to end abortion through prayer, fasting, and community outreach and peaceful, all day vigils outside of abortion mills. Steve Karlen serves as the campaign director for 40 Days, where he trains and assists campaign leaders, co-hosts 40 Days for Life podcast and is the author of the book, “This is When we Begin to Fight.… Continue Reading

The End of Life Options act has been introduced to the Illinois General Assembly. It will allow doctors to perscribe death-inducing drugs to adult patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. If it becomes law, it can very easily be expanded. Today’s episode highlights remarks made by Alex Schadenberg during the 2023 Speakout IL conference. Schadenberg is an author and the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. In his role he hopes to shed light on not only euthanasia, but also on the status of other pro suicide actions.… Continue Reading

Monte & David welcome Dan Marquardt of We Love Police, a 501c3 that highlights the untold good of our police officers. You will find out how to best support your police department right where you are in your community.… Continue Reading

This week, Monte is joined by Illinois Family Institute’s David Smith to talk with Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois. They are an uncancelable force putting the spotlight on Illinois school districts to erase DEI initiatives and protect children from mental health screenings, graphic sex education and title IX violations.… Continue Reading

Today’s spotlight is on Dr. Mark Zumhagen and his presentation at Illinois Family Institute’s forum on Assisted Suicide, which was hosted by Lake County Right to Life. Dr. Zumhagen is an IFI board member and a family medicine physician with 4 decades of practice under his belt. In 2009, he co-founded Fearfully & Wonderfully Made in Orland Park, where he currently practices. In this episode, Dr. Zumhagen discusses how pro suicide legislation has its roots in Darwinism, reminding us that life is a precious gift.… Continue Reading

It’s May madness time in the Illinois General Assembly, and on Spotlight today, we’re asking IFI lobbyist David Curtin what to expect our legislature to churn out this month. May madness is a term coined by Curtin to describe the chaos that ensues in Springfield before the lawmakers adjurn for the summer. Anything could happen.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, IFI’s attorney breaks down the legal ramifications homeschoolers face if HB 2827 is passed, and how we can conquer it in court if it becomes law.… Continue Reading

Organizers are gearing up for the Fall 40 days for life prayer campaign after a successful spring effort that included a rally across from the planned parenthood facility in Aurora. Catharine Walker spoke with Steve Carlin at that prayer rally, and has some encouraging words for pro life prayer warriors.… Continue Reading

Illinois could legalize assisted suicide. The End of Life Options Act gives doctors the greenlight to perscribe death-causing drugs to adult patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. Life leaders warn that legal suicide in Illinois will eventually be expanded to cover people with non terminal conditions and even children. Following a testimony during a state Senate hearing in Chicago, Dr. Kevin Garner spoke with IFI’s Monte Larrick about the End of Life Options Act. Dr. Garner is an internal medicine specialist, and is board certified in hospice and pallative care.… Continue Reading

A leader in the disability community has said that the End of Life Options Act puts disabled people at greater risk of being coerced into seeking assisted suicide. Riley Spreadbury, with the Disability Resource Center in Joliet, testified against assisted suicide before the State Senate committee, and shares her perspective with Spotlight in this episode.… Continue Reading

If HB 2827 passes, there are going to be additional bills introduced in subsequent years. ~ Will Estrada During the Illinois Christian Home Educator’s (ICHE) Cherry Pie Day in Springfield, IL, Monte Larrick asked Homeschool Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA)  Senior Counsel Will Estrada about the dangers of HB 2827. This episode includes Key points you can bring up with your lawmakers How this bill will set Illinois home educators up for further regulations The danger of homeschool parents’ having custody of their children revoked The way brick & mortar private schools will be at risk And much more.… Continue Reading

Illinois home educators are rallying against the “Homeschool Act.” HB 2827 will stifle IL homeschoolers with regulations that, if not fully complied with, will lead to hefty fines, and even jail time. Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) are helping to lead the charge against this legislation. Kirk Smith, executive director of ICHE joins Monte to talk about the consequences of the bill and how YOU can stand against it.… Continue Reading

Monte is joined by Bob Gilligan with Catholic Conference of Illinois outside the Chicago hearing of pro-suicide legislation.… Continue Reading

Attend the Chicago Home Educator’s Summit! In this episode, Caesor LeFlore (aka Bishop of Truth) talks to Latasha Fields of the Christian Home Educators Support System about their exciting event happening on March 29th.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotoight, we feature IFI’s lobbyist David Curtin giving an update about what happened in Springfield last week.… Continue Reading

We’re highlighting Dr. Zumhagen’s remarks at IFI’s 2024 COVID Forum, held at Families of Faith in Channahon, IL. Dr. Zumhagen is a family medicine physician, with nearly 4 decades in practice in the medical field. In 2009, he cofounded Fearfully & Wonderfully Made,a wholisitic and nutritionally based center in Orland Park. In this episode, you wil hear this doctor discuss vaccine mandates, the risks of treating healthy people, and the power that the pharmecuetical industries wield in America.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, we hear highlights from interviews with pro life heros regarding Illinois and pro suicide legislation. Nancy Valko served for more than fifty years as a registered nurse, and is the spokeswoman for the National Association of Pro Life Nurses. Scott Klusendorf travels throughout the United States and Canada training pro-life advocates to persuasively defend their views in the public square. He contends that the pro-life message can compete in the marketplace of ideas if properly understood and properly articulated.… Continue Reading

During the Illinois Family Institute 2015 Faith Family & Freedom Banquet, Pastor Doug Wilson challenged Christians to join the fight for sanity, common sense and morality–specifically here in Illinois. His remarks are timeless and encouraging for believers today. Pastor Wilson preaches at Christ Church in Moscow, ID, and is senior fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College. He is a prolific author and his blog, dougwils.com, is home to his witty and rapier thoughts on culture, the church at large, and politics.… Continue Reading

Pator Caesar LeFlore hosts Spotlight today to highlight the work and ministry of LaTasha Fields, an 18-year home educator and passionate advocate for parental rights, education, and community empowerment.… Continue Reading

We’re highlighting remarks from multiple different podcasts and events over the years in this episode, including Dr. Karl Benzio, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, and more!… Continue Reading

Tom Hampson is an Air Force veteran, where he served as an Intelligence analyst in Western Europe. He also served as an Chief Investigator for the Illinois Legislative Investigating Commission and served on the Chicago Crime Commission as a board member. His work as an investigator prompted him to establish the Truth Alliance Foundation (TAF) and to dedicate the rest of his life to the protection of children. He hopes that the TAF will expand to facilitate the protection of children all over the United States and around the world.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, Monte Larrick discuss how IL Gov JB Pritzker is “Trump Proofing” Illinois by doubling down on gender affirming care in the state.… Continue Reading

Today’s Spotlight is featuring remarks given by Dr. Stephen Smart (yes that’s really his last name) at an IFI forum in 2024. The subject? Legalized doctor-assisted suicide. Dr. Stephen Smart is a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois college of medicine, and is in private practice at the Springfield clinic in Peoria. Pastor Mark Moore and his church, Belmont Bible, were our gracious hosts to listen to Dr. Smart and his colleague, Dr.… Continue Reading

40 Days for Life activist Catherine Walker spoke outside of Illinois’ Flossmoor Planned Parenthood. Ms. Walker is a post abortive pro life warrior, dedicated to helping women by being a sidewalk counselor and in this edition of spotlight, shares how she sees a positive impact in her community as a result.… Continue Reading

We are featuring keynote remarks given by Frank Pavone during Southside Pregnancy Center’s 2024 banquet. Rev. Pavone serves as the national director of Priests For Life and president of the National Pro-Life Religious Counsel and pastoral director of Rachel’s Vineyard.    … Continue Reading

Today we're placing the spotlight on Dr. Benjamin German and his professional take on Illinois' efforts to legalize doctor-assisted suicide. Dr. German is a primary caregiver in the Lawndale Christian Health Center on Chicago's West side, and also an Illinois Representative in the Academy of Medical Ethics, the biomedical arm of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. During a special forum hosted by the Illinois Family Institute at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove, Dr.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, Monte Larrick talks with Caesor LeFlore, pastor of Spirit of Liberty Church, founder of Good Soil, Good Seed and Executive Director of Public School Exit.… Continue Reading

In this edition of Spotlight, Monte is joined be Reverend Elmer Harris, pastor emeritus of Second Baptist Church in Joliet, serves as a chaplain for the Bolingbrook police department, and ministers to hundreds of people in his community through the Blessing Table, a food pantry to aid people in need.… Continue Reading

In this edition, keynote remarks from Pam Stenzel during Illiana Right To Life‘s 2024 Fall Banquet. Stenzel has been a pro life advocate since the early 1980’s and currently runs 4  pregnancy resource centers in Florida. She is also the author of the book “Sex Has a Price Tag” and co author of the book “Nobody Told Me: What You Need to Know About the Physical and Emotional Consequences of Sex Outside of Marriage”  … Continue Reading

Monte and Dave Smith discuss what happened last Tuesday, Trump’s positive policy changes on protecting children and families, how Priztker promised to make Illinois “Trump-proof” and how Christians residing in this blue state can stay encouraged.… Continue Reading

The week of September 22nd was announced as banned book week as proclaimed by the American Library Association. Thomas Hampson wrote an article for IFI about it. The concerns that parents have about inappropriate books being placed in the children’s section of the library is not void. To read more from Thomas Hampson, click here.… Continue Reading

Jim Marter is a Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois' 14th Congressional District,and he believes our future is bright if we rein in big government, return to American freedoms and principles and send wise and knowledgeable, servant-leaders to Washington. In this special edition of Spotlight, Monte Larrick talks with James Marter about what his goals are when he gets in office   Marter For Congress  … Continue Reading

Monte Larrick and David Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, discuss why there are no rusty swords on the battle field of the public square, and how it is our duties as Christians to vote.… Continue Reading

Today we’re featuring Allie Beth Sutckey’s keynote address at IFI’s 2024 faith, family and freedom banquet. Stuckey is a Christian, wife, mother, and hit podcast host of the show “Relatable.” In this keynote, she breaks down her catchphrase for us: politics matter because policies matter because people matter. Watch IFI’s interview with Allie Beth Stuckey here.… Continue Reading

Dr. Lutzer is the pastor emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago, you can hear his lectures and teachings on Moody Radio. He is the author of nigh on countless highly acclaimed books, including The Church in Babylon, When a Nation Forgets God, and most recently, The Eclipse of God. In this episode, Monte Larrick asks Lutzer about his new book and what’s happening to Illinois.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick discusses with Thomas Hampson where the children who come to America’s borders are now, the illegal alien predicament in our country, and more. Hamosn is the founder of the Freedom Alliance Foundation, and is a journalist for the Illinois Family Institute. To read his documentation about the missing children,  click here.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick interviews Catherine Walker, who works with 40 Days For Life. To sign up for a prayer shift, click here.… Continue Reading

“As Christians our freedoms are given to us by God, not man. So why are we so afraid of man taking them away? Where is our faith? It is our duty as Christians to speak the truth and deliver the truth. . .we need to look into the level of faith we have lost in order to gain the popularity of our society.” ~Anni Cyrus Anni Cyrus fled from Iran as a teenager, and now as a legal American citizen, she advocates for God given freedoms, is a human rights activist, and speaks against the horrors of the Islamic religion she experienced as a child bride.… Continue Reading

In this episode, Monte Larrick converses with David Shestokas about how pro-life activists in Illinois have been targeted by a candidate of the Cook County State’s Attorney position, about the general election coming up, and much more. To purchase David Shestokas’ books, click here and here.… Continue Reading