“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”  Matthew 6:21

Where is your treasure?

With the passage of the Illinois Reproductive Health Law there was a blatant attempt to declare life worthless, having absolutely no value.  If life in the womb can be thrown away up until the moment of birth, then all life is made cheap, meaningless, and worthless.  Yet that same law has had an unintended effect;  we have seen an awakening of the pro-life community as never before.  We are rallying together, working to unite, combining our time, treasure, and talent for a common cause.  What about you?  If you treasure God’s gift of life, put your heart into it and unite with the Greater Chicago-land pro-life community for an afternoon you won’t soon forget!

Download and print a flier to share with others here.

Come get informed, get energized and bear witness that all human life from conception until natural death is a gift from God to be treasured. 

Our lineup of speakers includes:

– Serena Dyksen, Save the 1, will share her inspiring story of redemption after succumbing to pressure to abort after rape.  Her child may be one of those recently recovered from the home of abortionist Ulrich Klopfer

– Joe Scheidler, Pro Life Action League , knows the secrets of effective pro-life activism and he’ll be letting us in on the secret!

– Morgan Jayne Hill, aka “Baby Mary Grace”, will offer her heartwarming journey from being abandoned in a dumpster to adoption into a loving home to finding out that she was the catalyst for Illinois’ Safe Haven Law – all before she turned 20 years old!

– Jeanne Ives, Former IL State Representative, will tell her beautiful story of choosing life despite her doctor’s advice to abort a child with a prenatal diagnosis.

– Tom Morrison, IL State Representative, will educate us about what the disastrous “Reproductive Health Law” contains and what our next steps should be.

– Fr. Nathan Caswell, St. Peter Volo, leader of the Crusaders for Life Youth Group.

– Pastor Warren Schilf, Immanuel Lutheran in Palatine

…and MORE!

TIMELINE:

• 12:30 pm:  Doors open for T-shirt sales. Get one before they’re gone!

• 1:00 pm:Gather for prayer, song, & inspirational speakers inside St. Theresa Dolan Center Gym (455 N. Benton, Palatine). Same location as last year behind the church.

• 1:45 pm:  Procession along Northwest Highway with Life-affirming signs to the plaza at Hicks & NW Hwy (1/2 mile) to share the love of LIFE!   The energetic teens from Crusaders for Life will be back to lead us with drumming, dancing, and cheers!
• 2:15 pm:  Rally at the plaza with more prayer, songs, and words of hope.
• Immediately following the March:  Join us back at St. Theresa for FREE refreshments courtesy of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary.

Bring the whole family!

Maybe everyone knew this but me. If not, you better be sitting down for this one.

Though not required by law, Illinois provides a program of benefits called Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility(MPE). MPE “offers immediate, temporary coverage for outpatient healthcare for pregnant women…. There are no co-payments or premiums in MPE.” MPE, which takes effect immediately and remains in effect for 30 days after the month in which it takes effect, provides “outpatient services like prenatal checkups, doctor visits, lab tests, prenatal vitamins, medicine, specialty medical care, eye care, dental care, emergency room care, mental health and substance abuse services, transportation to get medical care and other services.” The reason for the added emphasis will be clear momentarily, but first some troubling words about eligibility.

Buried in the bowels of government documents where few dare to tread is a document titled “Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility Instructions for Providers,” which lists the eligibility requirements for MPE—eligibility requirements that might enrage surprise taxpayers (emphasis mine):

1. Family Size:

Family size is considered when determining whether the pregnant woman meets the income standard for MPE.  Family is defined as the pregnant woman, her unborn child(ren), her husband, and children/stepchildren under the age of 19 living in her home….

2. Income:

In order to be considered eligible for MPE, the family income must be at or below the established standard.  The woman’s declaration of the family income is all that is needed for the MPE provider to complete the MPE application.  Proof of income is NOT needed for completion of the MPE application….

3. Pregnancy:

The woman’s declaration of pregnancy is all that is needed for the MPE provider to complete the MPE application.  The MPE provider’s authorized signature on the MPE application is sufficient to establish eligibility for MPE; no other verification is necessary.  An expected delivery date or the number of fetuses is not required on the MPE application….

  A woman does not need to be a citizen or documented immigrant to qualify for MPE.

 Proof of citizenship is not required for MPE eligibility.

Legal immigration status does not affect eligibility for MPE.

A social security number is NOT required for MPE eligibility…. 

4. Attestation of State Residency:

The applicant must attest to whether she is or is not an Illinois resident. Do not require verification of state residency.

According to this document, any woman who resides anywhere—including an illegal immigrant—could come to Illinois, claim to be an Illinois resident, claim to be pregnant, claim to be impoverished, and immediately receive coverage at taxpayer expense for  “doctor visits, lab tests, prenatal vitamins, medicine, specialty medical care, eye care, dental care, emergency room care, mental health and substance abuse services, transportation to get medical care and other services,” for up to 60 days, all without any documentation proving legal immigration status, residency status, pregnancy, or income level.

But there is a yet another concern to which lawmakers and legal eagles should respond in light of Pinocchio Rauner’s legislative baby (HB 40), which requires Medicaid to cover abortions: Since MPE covers outpatient healthcare, including doctor visits, lab tests, medicine, specialty medical care, mental health services, and “other services,” and since abortions are legal in Illinois through all nine months for mental health reasons, could a pregnant woman—including an illegal immigrant who resides in another state—who applies and receives MPE coverage go to a Planned Parenthood and obtain an abortion through Medicaid?

Lawmakers in the bankrupt state of Illinois could easily amend MPE eligibility requirements to require proof of legal immigrant status, proof of Illinois residency, proof of income, and proof of pregnancy—you know, in the service of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. Illinois citizens should demand they do so or boot them out.

When discussing these requirements with former State Representative Jeanne Ives, she pointed out that “new abortion clinics opened in Illinois last year and more are in the works. The new Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Flossmoor is located less than 15 miles from the Indiana border and right off of I-80. Planned Parenthood plans to profit off the Illinois taxpayer by exploiting victims from out-of-state.”

And while Illinoisans are taking up this issue with their state senators and representatives, they should ask them why MPE considers a baby in the womb to be a “child” with healthcare needs but child-killing abortion advocates do not.

Take ACTION: Please speak out!  Click HERE to send a message to your state senator, state representative and to Gov. Pritzker. Ask them to stop targeting innocent pre-born persons and vulnerable women in Illinois. Ask them to vote against HB 2495. Please also ask them to vote against HB 2467, which will gut the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995.

File a Witness Slip in opposition of both anti-life bills. Click HERE to oppose HB 2495. Click HERE to oppose HB 2467.

Instructions – fill out your name, address, email, and phone number. If you aren’t representing a group, leave Section II blank. Select Opponent in Section III. Select Record of Appearance Only in Section IV. Agree to the terms and click Create Slip.

Listen to this article read by Laurie:

https://staging.illinoisfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/MPE_Abortion.mp3

SpeakOut Illinois 2019

Join us on March 9th in Oak Brook for the annual SpeakOut Illinois conference!  This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life of America, plus Jackie Bedore of Benet Academy, and a panel of pro-life pastors.

Learn more here…

Last night, IFI hosted its annual Faith, Family and Freedom Banquet. Hundreds of supporters from across the state gathered to enjoy a good meal and fellowship while being informed, encouraged and edified by our emcee, State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and our keynote speaker, George Barna. Together we are working for the common good.

In my short presentation, I reminded attendees that we are called to be steadfast and immovable while abounding in the work the Lord calls us to do and to remember that our labor is not in vain. God’s truth is marching on. We are His soldiers in the battle. And it is, most definitely, a spiritual battle.

I know that many of our subscribers would have loved to attend our annual banquet, but due to calendar conflicts or prohibitive traveling hurdles could not join us. The exciting news I have to report to you is that a very generous donor has offered a $20,000 banquet-matching challenge that has been extended through the weekend so that you can participate by giving in support of our work in Illinois.

Every dollar that is given or pledged will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 through Sunday evening. This includes pledges of monthly giving which is a great way to support the work that we are doing.

I hope you agree that a vigorous defense of policies and laws that reflect biblical truth is needed more than ever in Illinois. Certainly, as a subscriber to IFI’s emails you understand that the godless Left isn’t willing to tolerate Christian family values.

The culture war isn’t lost. It isn’t over. Rather, it has entered a new and more aggressive phase. For the sake of our children and the future of Illinois as well as the country, we must rise to the challenge.

IFI is doing some great work here in the People’s Republic of Illinois, but we cannot do it without your prayers and your financial support.

Please consider this appeal and the opportunity to partner with us in a strategic and effective way. A gift of $25, $50 or more this weekend would help tremendously. Perhaps you are able to contribute even more. This is an amazing opportunity to double your impact!

Your love, your prayers and your gifts make our work possible. Please prayerfully consider helping us meet this matching challenge!

Please DONATE ONLINE or call the IFI office
at (708) 781-9328 to support our work.

Thank you for your support!

P.S. Help us reach our goal of raising a total of $40,000 by the end of the weekend — Donate today!  You can also send a gift to:

Illinois Family Institute
P.O. Box 876
Tinley Park, IL  60477

How did they vote?

On Wednesday evening, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 72 to 45 to ratify SJRCA 4, a completely unnecessary proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to eradicate sex as a legitimate characteristic on which to base reasonable distinctions.

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

For more than two hours, state lawmakers debated this issue. The fact that this legislation says nothing about women didn’t dissuade 15 legislators from rising to the microphone to express their support. These advocates included the sponsor, Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Ann Williams (D-Chicago), David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), Steve Andersson (R-Geneva), Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora), Laura Fine (D-Glenview), Christine Winger (R-Bloomingdale), Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), Emmanuel Welch (D-Chicago), Carol Ammons (D-Chicago), Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago), Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), and Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago).

It is interesting to note that both State Representatives Christine Winger and Dan Brady prefaced their remarks by claiming to be pro-life, even though it is well known that Planned Parenthood is a strong proponent of this legislation precisely because it will expand abortion “rights” throughout the nation and dismantle vital abortion restrictions—including parental notification (or consent) laws.

On the pro-life/pro-family side, eight state lawmakers rose to speak against the ERA, including Pete Breen (R-Lombard), Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake), Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), Terry Bryant (R-Mt. Vernon), and Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan).

Proponents of the ERA claim that they need one more state to ratify this constitutional amendment for complete victory, even though the deadline for passage expired decades ago and even though five states have voted to rescind their ratification over the years it has been pending. If one more state votes for its passage, the issue will certainly wind up in the courts.

In addition to proponents of the legalized slaughter of human beings in the womb, there is another constituency that is celebrating tonight: people who masquerade as the sex they are not.

Thanks for nothing to the 72 feckless state representatives who demonstrated again why Illinois is such a sorry state.

The official roll call of this vote:

Many will see the proposal outlined in my previous article as a ridiculous fantasy and politically impossible. To them I’d say that almost everything is politically impossible until it is made politically possible. Selling a plan will be hard work, so we will need leaders with a genuine work ethic to start the process. (They can learn that political work ethic by watching President Donald Trump.)

You know what’s already politically possible and, in fact, quite easy? Bowing to the powers of the government unions, keeping the public in the dark about just how bad things are, and allowing the state to go forward into bankruptcy. Don’t doubt me on this: bankruptcy is in our future. That has been my view for many years, but I do have to thank Mark Glennon of Wirepoints for bringing this to my attention at a recent press conference:

William Isaac knows insolvency when he sees it, and how to deal with it. As Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 1981 to 1985, he was on the forefront of the banking crisis at the time. He founded The Secura Group, a leading consulting firm in financial regulation, and is a respected voice in the world of finance.

Bankruptcy, not just for Chicago, but for Illinois as well, he says.

“The city and the state should act now to restructure their liabilities and put the fiscal mess behind them. This can be accomplished by utilizing Chapter 9 and other tools Congress just gave Puerto Rico,” wrote Isaac in an opinion piece published Thursday in The Bond Buyer.

Tax increases and spending cuts won’t work, he wrote:

In the short run tax increases can partly bridge the deficits, but even this benefit will prove pyrrhic. Recent tax increases have already made the state and the city less competitive venues. As for expenditures, there’s still fat that can be cut from the budget, but it’s difficult to see this making more than a dent.

Why is his opinion a watershed? He’s the first major financial figure to outright call for bankruptcy. Others have said to start thinking about it or that it might be needed eventually — for Chicago. Pass the needed federal legislation now, says Isaac. Federal legislation would be needed to allow a whole state to file for bankruptcy. “Once a financial mess of the first order is at hand, as is the case with Chicago and Illinois, it can be far better to act decisively by restructuring rather than prolonging the pain.”

The above is from an article from almost two years ago. (Wirepoints is excellent. Readers should sign up for their email newsletter.)

Here is the simple and easy-to-remember order of upcoming events that could save our state:

1.)  Bruce Rauner loses and J.B. Pritzker wins and finds out there is no money to fund all his promises. (Of course, J.B. already knows that, right? He can’t be that uninformed, right?)

2.)  Republicans privately fund what Jeanne Ives couldn’t get publicly funded last year—a serious study of how we can tax ourselves in a sane manner here in Illinois. This study need not be expensive or take long to accomplish. Let’s look at all those states that manage to have schools and police officers without taxing people out of their homes.

3.)  “Big and bold” becomes how Republican legislators and candidates think and act and the GOP starts winning more elections.

4.)  Illinois fiscal reality is reckoned with, and the causes of the current mess aren’t kicked down the road any longer.

Tax reform. School choice. Taxpayers freed from funding exorbitant pensions that now eat up 20-25 percent of the state budget. (Private sector companies have been getting out of the pension business for decades. It’s time for government to follow their lead.) Bankruptcy. Illinois stops being a national laughing stock and instead gets a fresh start. And families and jobs move here instead of away.

Laugh if you want, but William Isaac nailed it: “Once a financial mess of the first order is at hand, as is the case with Chicago and Illinois, it can be far better to act decisively by restructuring rather than prolonging the pain.”

For up-to-the minute news, action alerts, coming events and more you can now sign up for IFI Text Alerts!

Stay in the loop by texting “IFI” to 555888 or click here to enroll right away.

Click HERE to donate to IFI

The Thomas More Society has now moved for an emergency injunction to be heard on Thursday, December 28, to stop State of Illinois officials from providing tens of thousands of taxpayer funded abortions in the New Year.

Additional legislators and groups will also seek to join the suit that day, including State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) and State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Rock Island). The taxpayer lawsuit, filed at the end of November in the Sangamon County Circuit Court, is brought on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Illinois taxpayers, represented by county and statewide pro-life organizations, the Springfield Catholic Diocese, and a group of Illinois legislators from across the state.

“This emergency injunction would stop a New Year’s Day implementation of this law, under which Illinois taxpayers would be forced to pay for 20,000 to 30,000 or more abortions per year,” explained Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Special Counsel. “Even apart from the sincere moral objections that many folks have to paying for abortions, there is no money in the Illinois state budget to pay for them. And, because of games played by Senate Democrats, in holding HB 40 until late September, after the May 31 cutoff for legislative action, this bill can’t be effective until June 1, certainly not on January 1.” Breen also serves as state representative for Illinois’ 48^th District.

If implemented, despite its illegality, HB 40 would force every Illinoisan to pay for free abortions for those on Medicaid. This would apply through the full nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, even when the latest scientific research has shown that the unborn child can feel pain and survive outside of its mother’s womb.

The State of Illinois has a tradition of allowing taxpayer lawsuits, which are brought by private individuals to protect the public treasury. Illinois law requires such a suit to be brought by a petition for leave to file a taxpayer complaint, which was granted by Judge Jennifer Ascher on December 6, at the last hearing in this case.

The Illinois legislators bringing the lawsuit include (italicized names are newly added):

• Representative Mark Batinick, District 97
• Representative Jeanne Ives, District 42
• Representative Charlie Meier, District 108
• Representative Steve Reick, District 63
• Representative Barbara Wheeler, District 64
• Representative Keith Wheeler, District 50
• Senator Neil Anderson, District 36
• Senator Dale Fowler, District 59
• Senator Sam McCann, District 50
• Senator Kyle McCarter, District 54
• Senator Dan McConchie, District 26
• Senator Paul Schimpf, District 58

The pro-life groups listed on the complaint include (italicized names are newly added):

• Illinois Federation for Right to Life
• Illinois Right to Life Action
• Springfield Right to Life
• Right to Life of Adams County, Inc.
• Clinton County Citizens For Life
• Henry County Right to Life, Inc.
• Knox County Right to Life, NFP
• Lake County Right to Life Committee, Inc.
• Morgan County Right to Life, Inc., NFP
• Faith and Freedom Family Ministry, NFP
• Pro-Life Action League, Inc.

The above listed legislators and groups are joined in this action by:

• Diocese of Springfield In Illinois

Read the Plaintiff’s Unopposed Motion for Leave to File a Verified Amended Taxpayer Complaint HERE.

Read the original Petition for Leave to File a Taxpayer Action to Restrain and Enjoin the Disbursement of Public Funds and the Taxpayer Complaint to Restrain and Enjoin the Disbursement of Public Funds HERE.

About the Thomas More Society

The Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago and Omaha, the Thomas More Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way up to the United States Supreme Court. For more information, visit thomasmoresociety.org.

Traci O’Neal Ellis, the school board member in Illinois School District U-46, which was embroiled in a controversy last spring over the superintendent’s secret decision to sexually integrate restrooms and locker rooms, has joined the fracas over the Chicago Tribune’s biased reporting about State Representative Jeanne Ives. This is the twisted comment Ellis has offered on her school board member Facebook page, accompanied by a link to the dishonest Trib article…

Read more…

State government summer re-run season is underway at the Illinois capitol building where both political parties are cooperating to send our state further into the fiscal abyss.

Midnight came and went as we closed out the month of June without a budget being signed into law, so Illinois has begun its third straight year without one. Governor Bruce Rauner and the leaders of the General Assembly once again have failed in their principle task.

On Friday the Illinois House voted on a budget proposal that leaves most of the financial problems unaddressed. State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) called the House plan “a disaster.”

In order to better celebrate Independence Day weekend, Illinois taxpayers may want to avoid reading the details of what our elected officials have once again produced. Perusing just one source, here are a few examples of their “accomplishments” as things stand midday, Saturday:

• “No other state has come close to the mess that Illinois is in.”

• The state’s credit rating is about to be downgraded to “junk,” which increases “the cost to taxpayers when the state borrows money.”

• “Illinois already has the lowest credit rating of any U.S. state…”

• Illinois “owes more than $15 billion in late payments to vendors — including doctors who provide health care to state employees and social service agencies that care for disabled people.”

• “Some homeless and domestic violence shelters have been forced to close or reduce services…”

If that isn’t bad enough, Illinois Review reported that 23 of the 51 Illinois House Republicans joined the Democrats in voting for the budget “disaster.” Thus we should expect that during next year’s campaign, those Republicans will not dare blame the Democrats for the state’s continuing fiscal mess.

So now they are working over this holiday weekend and are seriously considering a plan proposed by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to permanently and massively increase your family’s personal income taxes.  This plan also calls for a dramatic increase in corporate income taxes and some new service taxes.  All this to cover their wasteful and reckless spending habits.

In addition to providing more very important information, the Illinois Policy Institute has an online calculator so taxpayers can measure the damage to their family budgets that will come with the bipartisan tax increase. Since the median household income for Illinois is approximately $60,000, here is what it will look like for a family of 4:

What is key, of course, is to keep in mind that this tax increase does not come anywhere near solving the state’s problems. As more people and businesses escape to states where taxes are lower, the burden will only grow for those who remain.

Currently, the state of Illinois takes in approximately $31 to $32 billion a year in tax revenue.  The proposed budget currently before the General Assembly is $36.5 billion, which is why tax and spend lawmakers are again looking to dig deeper into the pockets of hardworking families.

IFI’s Dave Smith points out: “Illinois lawmakers have proven themselves utterly irresponsible with the tax revenues they are getting now, so why would anyone think they would do better with even more taxpayer resources? In fact, between 2011-2014, the lawmakers hit citizens with higher taxes with the promise of righting the ship. Instead of using those funds in an effective and efficient manner, they squandered it.”

That irresponsibility is exhibited in the numbers that continue to get worse: $251 billion pension liability; $15 billion of backlogged bills; $800 million in late fees; and $3.1 billion in Medicaid funding.  You can read more HERE.

More taxes, more spending, more debt and more bleeding of Illinois families.  That’s the message too many state lawmakers are advancing for the citizens of Illinois.

UPDATE:  Late Sunday afternoon (July 2nd), the Illinois House passed this proposal to permanently increase taxes on the families and businesses of Illinois by a vote of 72-45.

It now moves to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

Take ACTION: Please contact the governor and your state lawmakers to ask them vote against any legislative proposal that would increase tax burdens for Illinois citizens.

Let them know that you oppose any new tax increases when they refuse to cut government waste and bloat. You can also call your lawmakers through the Capitol Switchboard at (217) 782-2000.

PLEASE ALSO CALL THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE at (217) 782-0244 and/or (312) 814-2121.

State Representative Ives, who voted against the House proposal, summed it up on the house floor yesterday in less than four minutes:

https://youtu.be/e_pEuHGwnAc

Read more:

Big Illinois Government’s Insatiable and Impossible Demands from Taxpayers

State Senator McConchie Outlines the Simplicity of the Budget Crisis

‘Taxpayer Bargain’ Budget Puts Taxpayers First

Spread the Word!

Please share this information on social media and with your like-minded friends and neighbors.  Only a strong response from Illinois citizens can stop this tax exploitation from going through.

It is only because of concerned citizens like you that we are able to continue promoting pro-family values in the Prairie State.

>>Private, tax-deductible contributions keep IFI in the fight for truth in Illinois. Click HERE TO SUPPORT Illinois Family Institute.

SB 1564 undermines the freedom
of conscience and invites intimidation and
legal action against pro-life healthcare providers.

Last year, State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Skokie) introduced SB 1564 to radically alter the Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act.  This proposal was passed by the Illinois Senate on April 22, 2015 by a vote of 34-19. It then moved to the Illinois House where it was picked up by State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston).

Late in the afternoon of May 25th, the Illinois House debated and passed this ominous new mandate by a vote of 61-54.  (See roll call below.)  The bill now heads to the office of the governor.

SB 1564 would force doctors, nurses, pharmacists to distribute information to help a patients find objectionable medical services such as abortion, sterilization, and certain end-of-life care.

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to send a message to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to ask him to please uphold religious freedom and conscience rights for medical personnel in Illinois.  Ask him to veto SB 1564 and the tyranny it represents.

Emails are noticed, but we also need a flood of calls to the Governor’s office: (217) 782-0244 or (312) 814-2121.  Once you’ve taken action, please pray that he will understand how coercive this legislation is.

You may want to point out that according to the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, 95 percent of physicians in a national poll agreed, “I would rather stop practicing medicine altogether then be forced to violate my conscience.”

It is important to know that SB 1564 will also negatively affect crisis pregnancy centers that provide health care services by requiring that these life centers give referrals to Planned Parenthood or other venues that promote abortion.

IFI is deeply grateful to those lawmakers who spoke out during debate today, including:  State Representatives Peter Breen (R-Lombard), Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), Barbara Wheeler (R-Cyrstal Lake), Tom Morrision (R-Palatine), C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), Sheri Jesiel (R-Antioch), and Margo McDermed (R-Frankfort).

(Click HERE to learn more about the problems of SB 1564.)

The Center for Medical Progress released its sixth video earlier this week titled Human Capital – Episode 2: Inside the Planned Parenthood Supply Site. The video features a former StemExpress procurement technician explaining how women are manipulated to “donate” to research parts of their babies’ bodies after abortion for Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s (PPFA) profit.

“If it seems disturbing and repulsive to proudly flaunt participation in the killing of a human life, that’s because it is,” said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. “In previous videos, that’s exactly what we’ve seen Planned Parenthood officials doing–with total disregard for the unborn children whose body parts are being harvested.”

PPFA is the nation’s largest provider of abortions. About one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at PPFA-affiliated facilities. According to their most recent annual report, PPFA received at least $528 million annually from the federal government or other levels of government.

“As baby body parts are being routinely salvaged from brutal abortion procedures–their bodies sifted through for organs while fees are callously being negotiated–the media continues to remain silent,” Tobias added. “If only these innocent babies were puppies or kittens, perhaps then we would hear uproar from those reporting the news.”

State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is calling for an investigation of PPFA (HR 671) urging “the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Executive Inspector General, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Illinois Depart of Revenue to investigate Planned Parenthood’s procedures for abortions, obtaining informed consent, and sale of donation of human fetal tissues across the state.”  (Read more HERE.)

Rep. Ives is also pressuring Cook County to look into PPFA since a PPFA official mentions Stroger Hospital in Chicago as a key facility from which to acquire body parts due to Stroger’s output.

Meanwhile, State Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Vandalia) introduced SB 2165, a bill that would prohibit state government from providing tax dollars from going to an organization that performs abortions or maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.  (Read more HERE.)

But more can be done.  More must be done.

Take ACTION:  Sign this petition urging Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to end any and all state business and/or funding (your money) of Planned Parenthood immediately.

Government funding — state and federal — of all Planned Parenthood  affiliates must end.

Download a Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet or a Church Bulletin Insert.

National Day of Protest Against Planned Parenthood
Saturday, August 22, 9:00 to 11:00 A.M.
Planned Parenthood, 3051 E New York St, Aurora (map)
Lead by the Pro-Life Action League

As a result of three videos from the Center for Medical Progress that have exposed the dark, sickening underbelly of Planned Parenthood, 31 Republicans and 1 Democrat have filed a resolution (HR 671) urging “the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Executive Inspector General, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Illinois Depart of Revenue to investigate Planned Parenthood’s procedures for abortions, obtaining informed consent, and sale of donation of human fetal tissues across the state.”

Moreover, the resolution urges these same government bodies to “investigate which organizations across the state are involved in purchasing or accepting human tissue from Planned Parenthood.”

The chief sponsor of the bill is one of Illinois’ finest and most courageous lawmakers, Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who explained to IFI her reasons for pursuing this resolution:

Recent videos reveal the callous way Planned Parenthood treats human life and the women about whom it purports to care. I ask my colleagues in the General Assembly  who are concerned about the rule of law, women’s health, or human decency, to support state investigations into Planned Parenthood in Illinois. Planned Parenthood facilities in Illinois are intentionally unlicensed through a legal loophole, have not been inspected in 15 years, and have put women at risk. In one of the videos from the Center for Medical Progress, Cook County’s Stroger Hospital was suggested as a place to obtain baby parts. Taxpayers need verifiable assurances through the investigative authorities of the state to ensure no federal or state laws are being subverted and especially to ensure that women are not at being put at risk from abortionists who use more invasive surgical procedures in order to increase profits. 

So far, Representative Ives has been joined by the following co-sponsors:

Patricia R. Bellock (R-Westmont), Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake), Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), Thomas Morrison (R-Palatine), Margo McDermed (R-Mokena), Terri Bryant (R-Mount Vernon), Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora), Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore), David Reis (R-Olney), John Cavaletto (R-Salem), Brian Stewart (R-Freeport), Tom Demmer (R-Rochelle), Reginald Phillips (R-Charleston), Randy Frese (R-Quincy), Donald Moffitt (R-Galesburg), Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon), Charles Meier (R-Highland), Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), David McSweeney (R-Cary), Steven Andersson (R-Geneva), Tim Butler (R-Springfield), Dan Brady (R-Normal), Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), John Cabello (R-Loves Park), Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein), Adam Brown (R-Champaign), C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), Jerry Costello II (D-Red Bud)*, Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) and Sheri Jesiel (R-Gurnee).

Please take a moment to thank these men and women for their effort to ascertain the truth about the activities of Planned Parenthood, an organization that has long demonstrated its abhorrent lack of ethics through its eager willingness to crush and dismember babies in the womb.

And if you do not see your representative on this list, you know what to do.

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to urge your state representative to sponsor and pass this resolution.

**An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified State Representative Jerry Costello as a Republican. IFI regrets the error.**

Join us at our annual banquet and our two special guests: Prof. Anthony Esolen and Pastor Doug Wilson!   They will offer their witness and wisdom, helping us all become better equipped to shape our culture in God-honoring ways.  Your attendance and support is essential to our success!

Illinois Family Institute
Faith, Family and Freedom Banquet

Friday, September 18 , 2015
The Stongate – Hoffman Estates, IL

Secure your tickets now – click here or call (708) 781-9328.

IFI is working with other Illinois pro-life groups in advocating for an important pro-life bill sponsored by State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake).  If passed, HB 2701 would require abortion providers to simply offer an ultrasound picture to women considering abortion.  The choice of whether or not to view the ultrasound picture is still hers.  Research has proven that between 80 and 90 percent of “abortion minded” women who see images of their unborn children choose life.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state representative to ask him/her to support HB 2701.  Informed consent for women in a crisis pregnancy is vital.  HB 2701 is a reasonable reform to offer Illinois women true choice.

This legislation already has fourteen co-sponsors:  Representatives Jerry Costello (D- Red Bud), Terri Bryant (R-Mt. Vernon), Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg), Peter Breen (R-Lombard), Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), Patricia Bellock (R-Westmont), David McSweeny (R-Cary), Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), David Reis (R-Olney), Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville), and Michael Unes (R-Pekin).

Background

The backers of commercialized abortion like to say their guiding principle is “choice,” but women considering abortion are truly not in a position to make an informed choice without having sufficient, objective information.  Such complete and accurate information on the reality and status of her pregnancy and of the unborn child she is carrying is essential to her psychological and physical well-being and to her free exercise of autonomy.

We are living in the 21st century, with medical technology which offers pregnant mothers the opportunity for such information via ultrasonography.  Yet few if any abortion doctors offer ultrasound imaging to their patients. That is the reason HB 2701 is a needed and compassionate approach to informed consent.

Of course, the bill also offers a measure of protection for the unborn child.

An exception is provided where a medical emergency would necessitate skipping this stage in the informed consent process.

We commend the bi-partisan group of state representatives for their sponsorship of this common sense piece of legislation.

Please contact your state representative today to encourage him/her to support HB 2701.

You make our work for pro-family values possible – Donate today!  To make a credit card donation over the phone, call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328.  You can also send a gift to:

Illinois Family Institute
P.O. Box 88848
Carol Stream, IL  60188

How did they vote?

On Tuesday afternoon, the Illinois House of Representatives recklessly voted 61-54 in favor of genderless marriage (SB 10) with 2 representatives voting present and 1 not voting.
 
The debate raged for over two hours with SB 10 with supporters of the bill filling the time with a constant stream of emotion, personal testimony, and accusations of discrimination. Those who spoke out in favor of natural marriage included State Representatives Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), David Reis (R-Olney), Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville), Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), and David Harris (R-Mount Prospect).
 
Former House minority leader Rep. Tom Cross joined two other Republicans, Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) and Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein)  in breaking with the party platform and supporting this radical liberal bill.
 
Responding to the many references to the Civil Rights movement, Rep. Flowers stated, “When I was discriminated against, it is not because of who I love, but because of the color of my skin…Homosexuality has nothing to do with race.” Flowers continued, “Even if the legal definition of marriage was changed, those two people will never be married in God’s eyes.”
 
Rep. Kay declared, “I’ve heard nothing today about the Scriptures. The only thing I’ve heard is about human rights. So I guess we’ve backed away from our heritage in this nation which we seem to do quite regularly for the expediency of what we wish to do at the moment. And ladies and gentlemen, that’s pride. That’s a belief that you’re better than the very foundation…which we find in the Scriptures.”
 
The vote came less than two weeks after an estimated 4,000 people descended upon Springfield supporting the definition of marriage as being between one man and woman on October 23rd.

SB 10 will go to the desk of Governor Pat Quinn who has publicly expressed his eagerness to sign the bill.
 
How Did Your Representative Vote?

CLICK HERE for the roll call.

 

To see the full video or separate segments of the debate, CLICK HERE.