You must watch 8 gut-busting minutes of one floor “debate” that took place recently in the Springfield swamp. Then when you’ve caught your breath and dried those tears of laughter, take a moment to dash off a thank you to State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) for his exasperated and exquisite exposure of yet another exasperating and chuckleheaded bill sponsored and unfortunately passed by Springfield clowns.

The bill (HB 3394) amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983 in such a way as to try to force corporations to judge people by the color of their skin—or rather by the color of skin they wish they had—rather than the content of their character or their skills. HB 3394 blathers on about requiring publicly held domestic or foreign corporations with their principle executive offices located in Illinois to submit annual reports to the secretary of state identifying, among other things, the “self-identified” race, ethnicity, and “gender” of their board members.

The bill passed in the Illinois Senate by a vote of 38-16 and in the Illinois House by a vote of 105-0 (Say whaaat?).

Don’t look now, you pesky and peevish “trans”-cultists, but your incoherence is showing.

You see, in trying to slavishly suck up to the identity politics of science-denying “trans”-cultists, Springfield swampsters are undermining the identity politics of racialists and second wave feminists.

So, let’s look at what could happen if Governor JB Pritzker signs into law this silly, anti-business bill that seeks to force corporations to diversify their boards by using the self-identification of board members as black or female, rather than their objective race or sex: A 12-member racially colorless board that includes three white men who identify as black and Rachel Dolezal would be considered racially diverse, and a 12-member board of all biological males, six of whom “identify” as women, would be deemed sexually diverse.

So as not to spoil your fun, I’ll provide just a teaser from the video in which Senator Righter makes intellectual mincemeat of the legislative nonsense poor State Senator Christopher Belt (D-East St. Louis) was forced to defend:

Senator Righter: “[Amendment] subsection 4 regards members of the board who self-identify as a racial minority or ethnic minority. Now, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I didn’t know that you could self-identify as a member of a different ethnicity or race. So, my question for you is, in the instance where there is a corporate board that is all Caucasian, could half of them self-identify as minority and, therefore, receive a score as being diverse?”

Lol!

You’re going to have to watch the remaining 6 minutes to find out how this debate played out. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show.

Cultural regressives in Springfield better get with the “LGBTQQAP” agitprop. “Gender” no longer refers to biological sex—or so, we’re told. Gender now refers to the arbitrary, socially constructed and imposed norms, roles, behaviors, and conventions associated with maleness and femaleness. So, demanding diverse “gender” representation means exactly what?

Maybe Humpty Dumpty can help answer that question:

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.”

Listen to this article read by Laurie:

https://staging.illinoisfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Dale_Righter.mp3

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

You must watch 8 gut-busting minutes of one floor “debate” that took place recently in the Springfield swamp. Then when you’ve caught your breath and dried those tears of laughter, take a moment to dash off a thank you to State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) for his exasperated and exquisite exposure of yet another exasperating and chuckleheaded bill sponsored and unfortunately passed by Springfield clowns.

Read more…

The Illinois Senate approved the so-called  “Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act” (HB 1438 Senate Amendment 2) late yesterday afternoon by a vote of 38–17 with two voting present and two not voting. This bill now moves to the Illinois House for consideration. We have been told that Governor Pritzker has been making personal calls to lawmakers, promising them favors for their yes vote.

With the regular session ending on Friday, they have this legislation on fast track. Pro-family residents must speak out to their State Representatives today.

Click here to see how your state senator voted on this anti-family legislation, or look at the graphic below.

It is important to note that State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), Chapin Rose (R-Champaign), and Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) raised strong objections to the bill during floor debate.  On the other hand, State Senators Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), Neil Anderson (R-Moline), Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) and others spoke in favor of passing this terrible bill.

This bill has no limits on THC levels, which is perhaps the most alarming part of this proposal. THC is the chemical substance in marijuana that gets users intoxicated. The marijuana products of the 1960’s and 1970’s contained 1-3 percent of THC. Today, the levels are 20 percent or more. The Dutch government now considers cannabis products with 15 percent THC hard drugs and illegal.

Legalization of high potency marijuana is linked to increases in addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia and violence. In states that have legalized, it has led to an increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, poison control center calls and an increase in use in every age category, including youth. There has also been a dramatic increase in a condition called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

It defies common sense that state lawmakers are ignoring these consequences!

We know that as perceived risk goes down, use goes up. In 2013, our state lawmakers — who are not medically trained — approved “medical” marijuana. Make no mistake, the message they are sending to the culture, and our kids, is that this addictive and intoxicating drug is harmless. Not only is it medicinal, but it’s “recreational” — approved to use as a way to help people unwind and loosen up.

Why are our state lawmakers willing to give their stamp of approval to a known destructive narcotic? Just for a puny new revenue stream?

Legalization will lead to more users, more addicts, more unqualified employee candidates, more intoxicated drivers, more work place accidents, more disabilities, more homeless, more mental illness and more dependents on social welfare. Marijuana use among people 25 and under will increase dramatically — those whose brains are still developing and whose brains are most susceptible to the harms of marijuana use.

Why are state lawmakers setting such a terrible example for our children and grandchildren? They are failing in their job of protecting the citizenry.

YOU can help stop this foolishness from becoming reality in Illinois.

Take ACTION: Please pray that this bill fails in the House! Then Click HERE to send an urgent email asking your state representative to oppose HB 1438. Then make a quick call to his/her Springfield office. Click here for the Springfield office phone number. After entering in your information, you will find that the last official on the list is your state representative. He/She needs to hear from you TODAY.

Watch more:

Please visit IFI YouTube channel and this video playlist dedicated to the opposition of marijuana legalization.

Read more:

Thinking Biblically About Recreational Marijuana

Cannabis Myths Exposed

Medical Doctor from Peoria Opposes Legal Pot

ER Doc Says “Recreational” Pot Has Ruined My Town

IFI Resource Page on Marijuana

Former State Rep. Jeanne Ives Address Marijuana & Illinois’ Economic Crisis (podcast)

More info:

NoWeedIllinois.com

How Did They Vote?

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

Click HERE to learn about supporting IFI on a monthly basis.

Tax, Spend, Repeat…

Tuesday (July 4th), the Illinois Senate took up the misguided proposal (SB 9) to massively increase the income taxes of citizens and corporations in Illinois, approving it by a vote of 36-18. State Senator Dale Righter of Mattoon was the only Senate Republican to vote in favor of this tax hike. (See the full roll call below.) This tax grab was approved in the Illinois House last Saturday afternoon, by a vote of 72-45.

It is ironic that the General Assembly voted to impose oppressive government taxes on Illinoisans during Independence Day weekend.

The good news is that Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed this proposal as soon as he could. The bad news is that the Illinois Senate already overrode his veto. So now it goes back to the Illinois House were we need to convince two or three state representatives to change their votes to ‘no.’

Apparently to lawmakers in Springfield, it was easier to dig deeper into the wallets of citizens than to address decades of irresponsible government spending and mismanagement. This is egregiously unfair to the citizens they are supposedly working to serve. It is a shameful offense that so many politicians chose to acquiesce to the inexhaustible demands of our ever-expanding and inept state government by placing a heavier burden on families and businesses in Illinois.

In approving these taxes, our state lawmakers ignored the “Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households” issued just two months ago. This alarming report suggests that 62 percent of Americans can’t cover unexpected expenses and almost a quarter cannot pay all their monthly bills. Taking more resources away from citizens to feed the insatiable appetite and reckless spending habits of state government will only exacerbate these problems.

For far too long, Illinois lawmakers have proven to be fiscally irresponsible. Why should hard-working and over-taxed citizens trust them with yet more of their money?

We’ve been here before. Between 2011-2014, Illinois citizens paid these higher taxes after Springfield politicians promised to pay down the backlog of bills, stabilize the state’s pension crisis, and strengthen the economy. That didn’t happen.

Unpaid bills and pension debt are out of control, and according to USA Today, our state economy is ranked 49th. Instead of using those increased taxes in an effective and efficient manner, government leaders squandered it. We have no reason to believe they will do better with more of our tax dollars.

Take ACTION: Please urge your state representative to reject any legislative proposal to increase tax burdens for Illinois citizens.  Ask him/her to vote NO to SB 9. You can also call the switchboard number Springfield at (217) 782-2000.

More:  Check out the Illinois Policy Institute’s online calculator to find out how much damage this tax hike will do to your family budget.

How Did They Vote?

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Written by David E. Smith and Laurie Higgins

How did they vote?

Yesterday afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 34-19-1 to pass HB 217, a bill that will censor professional therapists who want to help children who suffer from unchosen, unwanted same-sex attraction. Republican State Senators Christine Radogno (Lemont) and Chris Nybo (Hinsdale) voted with the majority of Democrats to pass this tyrannical legislation. Five state senators did not vote, while State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) voted present — which is as good as a “no” vote.

This bill was introduced by LBGTQ activist and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), and sponsored in the Illinois Senate by Senators Daniel Biss (D-Chicago), Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), Michael Noland (D-Elgin), David Koehler (D-Peoria), Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), William Delgado (D-Chicago), Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), Heather Steans (D-Chicago), and Emil Jones III (D-Chicago).

Click HERE to see how your state representative voted on this legislation, or look at the graphic below. (Look up your state senator HERE.)

The bill now moves to Governor Bruce Rauner. While he campaigned as a “no social issues” candidate in 2014, he now has to face the reality that the Illinois General Assembly is filled with politicians who want to advance radical legislation dealing with social issues–many of whom want to champion a far left social agenda agenda. Gov. Rauner will now be compelled to reveal his position on this highly divisive and controversial “social” issue.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or a fax to Governor Bruce Rauner’s office, asking him to allow licensed and professional therapists to do their job.  Urge him to veto HB 217.

Background

It is stunning to realize that legislation suppressing the speech of professional therapists would get this much support. Thankfully, the bill received robust deliberation and criticism on the floor during debate yesterday. State Senators Kyle McCarter (R-Vandalia), Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), Jim Oberweis (R-Aurora), Tim Bivins (R-Dixon) and freshman Neil Anderson (R-Moline) did a great job questioning the sponsor of the bill and/or speaking against HB 217.

IFI is grateful for the moral fortitude displayed by the members of the Illinois Senate who vocally opposed this unwarranted, unethical, and poorly written legislation.

It is important to note, HB 217 makes no distinction between coercive aversion therapy and “talk therapies” that would allow minors a measure of autonomy in constructing an identity that does not affirm unchosen, unwanted same-sex attraction.

The bill’s sponsors never addressed whether minors whose same-sex attraction or “sexual orientation” confusion may be the result of sexual molestation will be able to receive counseling to address the potential connection between molestation and same-sex attraction.

The bill’s supporters never explained why gender-confused minors should be able to access medical help in rejecting their unchosen, unwanted physical embodiment but those who experience same-sex attraction should be prohibited from accessing medical help in rejecting their unchosen, unwanted same-sex attraction.

Those who voted in favor of this bill ignored the urgent warnings of scientists who argued in an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune and LA Times that there is insufficient evidence to justify the passage of bans on reparative therapy for gender dysphoric minors. (Read more HERE.)

The bill’s supporters never addressed the galling way the bill was passed in the house, when the acting speaker allowed less than 5 seconds of time for floor debate before he called for a vote.

This bill is not a reasoned attempt to protect children. It’s a political maneuver that serves the strategic interests and profoundly selfish desires of adults committed to perverse activity and delusional thoughts. Once again, corrosive Illinois political chicanery in the service of some privileged coterie comes before wisdom, truth, knowledge, and even the needs and rights of hurting children.

While “progressive” Americans view the desire of those who suffer from Body Integrity Identity Disorder to amputate healthy limbs as barbaric, they ignorantly view the desire of those who suffer from Gender Identity Disorder to amputate healthy breasts and penises as sound medical practice. What a stupid, barbarous culture we’re becoming. Maybe when the lawsuits against doctors who facilitate barbarism, mutilating bodies and rendering young men and women sterile, start arriving on our crumbling cultural doorstep, this madness will stop. Too bad so many young people will have to suffer before that happens.

Please pray that Gov. Rauner does the right thing, and rejects this terrible policy.

How did they vote?

Five pro-family lawmakers, Senators Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), Dan Duffy (R-Barrington), William Haine (D-Alton), Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), and Kyle McCarter (R-Vandalia), had the courage to challenge this anti-family legislation on the Senate floor during debate while seven Democratic lawmakers  made emotional manipulative appeals for the bill’s passage.  Surprisingly, Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) was the only Republican to speak in favor of this anti-family legislation.  He then was the only Republican in the Illinois Senate to vote in favor of Gay Marriage.

This bill now moves over to the Illinois House where it is short the votes necessary to pass.  

This is why our Defend Marriage Lobby Day on February 20th is so important!  If we hope to defeat this bill in the Illinois House and maintain a sufficient level of opposition to this proposal, we must have a strong showing next week.  Read more about this lobby day HERE.  We need you to show up and send a clear message to state lawmakers in the Illinois House that Illinoisans will NOT allow marriage to be destroyed!  We can stop this!

To see how your state senator voted, click HERE.

Take ACTION:  If you haven’t yet sent an email or a fax to your state lawmakers — it is time to speak up now!  Click HERE to let them know what you think.