Articles by David E. Smith
Did You Know? Gambling and Marijuana in Illinois 2022
By David E. Smith   |   08.29.22
There are currently 11 casinos operating in Illinois: Rockford, East Peoria, Alton, Rock Island, Elgin, Metropolis, Aurora, East St. Louis, Joliet Hollywood, Joliet Harrah's and Des Plaines. There are 5 more being planned or built, in Danville, Carterville, Homewood, Chicago and Waukegan.
Stand With Us
By David E. Smith   |   08.21.22
image_pdfimage_printIllinois Family Institute has been fighting for traditional family values for more than 30 years now. We have never been afraid to stand up and speak out in the public square for the Judeo-Christian values upon which our country was...
Early Bird Deadline for IFI’s Annual Banquet Approaching!
By David E. Smith   |   08.19.22
We are looking forward to welcoming Kevin and Sam Sorbo to our annual fall banquet in a few months to share their faith, concerns about the secular culture and the need to return to Judeo-Christian values. The Sorbos are a different kind of "power couple" -- they are, in our opinion, an amazing Christian husband & wife team who, despite being blacklisted by Hollywood, have been very outspoken about abortion, public school indoctrination, and a host of other social issues.
IFI Prayer Warriors Needed!
By David E. Smith   |   07.30.22
We know that the many cultural battles we face today are spiritual battles that cannot be won by relying solely on our own strength and methods. In truth, these battles must first and continually be waged through prayer to our holy, righteous and merciful God. Would you please consider volunteering to be part of the IFI Prayer Team?
Are You Registered to Vote for the 2022 General Election?
By David E. Smith   |   07.27.22
God has blessed America with the gift of self-government -- a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." Voting is a privilege that millions of people in other parts of the world are denied.

But this unique blessing also comes with a tremendous responsibility. In Romans 13, we are told that all authorities are appointed by God. If you look at the first three words in our U.S. Constitution, you'll find out who that authority is in America -- "We the People..."
Battle for Life Intensifies in Illinois After Dobbs Ruling
By David E. Smith   |   06.28.22
image_pdfimage_printOn June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court of the United States overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision which fabricated the “right to privacy,” making abortion legal throughout the nation. The case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, centered around...
SCOTUS Upholds Religious Freedom in Education Choice
By David E. Smith   |   06.21.22
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a decisive victory for religious freedom and school choice this morning in a 6-3 ruling in the Carson v. Makin case.
Prayer Alert: Our Response to the Potential Repeal of Roe v. Wade
By David E. Smith   |   05.03.22
The BIG news of the week has been confirmed by Chief Justice John Roberts -- the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade in the very near future, possibly by the end of June. In a news release from the High Court, however, they were careful to point out that, although the leaked draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito is authentic, "it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case." In other words, the ruling is not official yet.
Abortion Cheerleaders to Welcome Out-of-State Abortion Practitioners
By David E. Smith   |   04.01.22
image_pdfimage_printIllinois House Democrats rallied around HB 1464 late yesterday, a bill which will ensure “health care” providers are welcomed here in Illinois after they’ve been punished by other states’ laws protecting the lives of innocent pre-born humans. The bill’s sponsor,...
Help Launch Petra Homeschool Co-Op! No Indoctrination. Just Education.
By David E. Smith   |   03.29.22
image_pdfimage_printIf you have been reading any emails from Illinois Family Institute, you are aware of how nefarious the so-called teaching has become in government schools. The state snapshot (click on Mathematics) for children who met or exceeded proficiency in math...
Who Is SCOTUS Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson?
By David E. Smith   |   03.08.22
On January 26th, various news outlets reported that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who was appointed in 1994, planned to announce his retirement. This announcement was followed by multiple reports suggesting that Justice Breyer may have been ushered out by political activists/strategists within the Democratic Party. One report by FoxNews.com claiming that "groups such as Black Lives Matter and Women's March launched an effort calling for the justice's retirement."
IFI Joins SCOTUS Brief in Support of Coach’s Prayer
By David E. Smith   |   03.03.22
IFI, along with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Concern Women for America and thirteen other Christian organizations, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court this week in favor of Coach Joe Kennedy, who was fired from a public school in Washington State because he prayed briefly at the 50-yard line after football games.
Worldview Conference: Apostles of Wokeism or Disciples of Jesus Christ?
By David E. Smith   |   02.01.22
Please join the Illinois Family Institute for our annual Worldview Conference on February 26th at Village Church of Barrington. UPDATED: This year we are featuring a distinguished group of speakers who will expound on the lies and fearmongering that is sweeping throughout the world, including Dr. Everett Piper and Dr. Rob Rienow.
Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer at IFI’s 2021 Faith, Family & Freedom Banquet
By David E. Smith   |   01.15.22
Have you ever read a book that was so good, you knew before you reached the end that you wanted to read it again? Or maybe you have a favorite movie that you’ve watched many times over, yet, with each viewing there seems to be a line of dialogue or a particular scene that impacts you in a new way.
Pro-Family Groups Urge SCOTUS To Rule Against OSHA Vaccine Mandate
By David E. Smith   |   01.06.22
More than two dozen pro-family organizations signed onto an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to oppose the Biden Administration’s tyrannical vaccine mandate. The brief, filed on Monday, January 3, 2022, urges the Court to protect religious liberty and oppose this sweeping and unchecked mandate, which requires COVID-19 vaccination in employers with 100 or more employees with little to no regard for the religious liberty interests of American citizens.
David E. Smith
Executive Director
David  E. Smith

Dave Smith is the executive director of Illinois Family Institute (501c3) and Illinois Family Action (501c4).

David has 30 years of experience in public policy and grass-roots activism that includes countless interviews for numerous radio, television, cable programs and newspaper articles on topics such as the sanctity of life, natural marriage, broadcast decency, sex education, marijuana, gambling, abortion, homosexuality, tax policy, drug decriminalization and pornography.

He and his wife of 28 years are blessed to be the parents of eight children. They strongly believe that their first duty before God is to disciple their children in the Christian faith, and impress a love of God on their hearts. There is a plethora of research that suggest that parents are the primary influencers in a child’s life. In an ideal world, that’s a mom and dad. Discipleship includes not only studying God’s Word but living a life of faith and walking in obedience to God. Discipleship is also necessary for sound doctrine, love of God and others. We do this in hopes of raising healthy and productive members of society, and re-create disciple-making movements in their homes and in their spheres of influence.

Dave also serves as a Chairman of a Republican Township in Will County and serves as an ordained minister/elder in his local church.

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The Push to Limit “Choice” to Abortion in Illinois
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