Did you know that you can help IFI raise funds by shopping online with no additional cost to you? Well, you can!

GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall which donates a percentage of each purchase to a registered cause like IFI!

Goodshop has over 2,400 stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, and Macy’s. If you shop at all online, it is quite likely that the merchant you are patronizing is a GoodShop online store and therefore, a potential donor to IFI. At no cost to the purchaser, merchants donate a percentage of purchases made when websites are accessed through GoodShop.

If you’re like me, you will be doing some online shopping for Christmas this week — the fact that my purchases will benefit IFI is just one more incentive to avoid crowds, traffic and last minute shopping insanity.

Here is what you have to do:

• Go to www.Goodshop.com.
• Complete a one-time entry designating Illinois Family Institute as the non-profit you wish to receive the GoodShop benefit.
• Choose a store and simply click the link! You’ll then be taken to that store’s website. Whatever you buy at that store during that particular shopping session will help benefit IFI’s work and ministry.
• Make a purchase, and a percentage of your total will be donated to IFI! Some stores are contributing as much as 15% of the total purchase during the holidays.

Thereafter, whenever you shop online, start at www.Goodshop.com (bookmark it) and click through to your chosen merchant’s site. The rest is money in the bank — for IFI!

So, the next time you buy books, jeans, music, gifts, airline tickets, software or other items online think of GoodShop and support IFI at the same time.

There are no strings attached, so please, do some GoodShopping this Christmas season. Please spread the word about this special fundraiser as well. If you’re going to spend money, why not maximize every cent possible for IFI’s work? Help both yourself and us to be better, wiser stewards.

Thank you in advance!

David E. Smith
Executive Director

P.S. To help even more, consider making GoodSearch your primary search engine. IFI receives one cent for every search conducted. This could really add up!

Illinois state lawmakers are working this weekend and Memorial Day too.

Take ACTION: Please take a 3-4 minutes to call your state representative about the following two bills. Lawmakers will be in session Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and could vote on these bills at any time!

The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000 and is open 24/7. Simply make the call and ask to be transferred to your state rep. to leave a message with the legislative assistant urging your lawmaker to oppose both HB 3027 and SB 744:

• HB 3027 — promoted by the ACLU of Illinois — mandates that every public school which teaches sex education in grades 6-12 must teach “comprehensive” sex education.Contraception-centered sex-education curricula encourage children and youth into early sexual experimentation. They mislead youth and create a false hope that condoms will provide sufficient protection from the physical, emotional and social consequences of early sexual activity. (Click HERE to learn more about what comprehensive sexperts from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) think our children need to know.)
• SB 744, the massive expansion of gambling, was amended and passed out of committee on Friday afternoon. Read more about this legislative proposal HERE.

Also…

If you are in the greater Chicagoland area, be sure to tune in this afternoon at 1 to WYLL AM 1160 for Illinois Family Radio. If you are out of radio range, you can listen online HERE.

Richard Hartian and I talk with Linda Jernigan, someone who lived the homosexual lifestyle for 19 years and has a powerful testimony of God’s grace and deliverance. Over the past 10 years, Linda has grown in her relationship with the Lord and today she heads up an organization called Rescuing Homosexuals. Here she and her team minister to people suffering from same-sex attraction.

For podcasts of our previous programs, please visit illinoisfamilyradio.org

Tune in at 1 p.m. this afternoon to 1160 AM for the latest broadcast of Illinois Family Radio.

Thank you!

Two weeks from today, our state and nation will be voting on important government positions that will dramatically effect the direction of our nation.

Obviously, this year’s mid-term elections are extremely important. Voters will be asked to decide if they want to continue with a big spending, freedom-eroding agenda, or do they want a government that stops the out-of-control spending and promotes our shared values. We cannot take our God-given civic responsibility and blessing of self-government lightly.

As citizens, we have been given the awesome privilege and responsibility to select those who make our laws and govern our nation. I believe the Lord will hold us accountable for how we steward the gift of republican democracy. Illinois has several competitive races this year. Your vote can make a difference. The Church has a wonderful opportunity to be salt and light for a state and nation in rapid decay.

To help encourage the body of Christ, we have created a bulletin insert. Ask your pastor and/or church elders for permission to place these inserts in the bulletin or a strategic spot in your church to help us get this information to the good folks in your church.

Click on the link below to download and print this latest IFI bulletin insert, ready to be copied for your church.

Why Christians Must Vote

I hope you and the members of your church find this material helpful. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact IFI.

Sincerely,

David E. Smith
Executive Director
708-781-9328

P.S. Do you know who’s on your ballot and where they stand on the issues that matter to you? Use the free IFI Voter Guide atwww.illinoisfamily.com and send the link to your friends and family so they can be informed voters too!

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a far-left organization famous for promoting a panoply of extreme liberal causes, has launched yet another politically motivated attack against a well-respected conservative organization. The SPLC has arbitrarily tagged as a hate group Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (AFTAH). Most recently, the SPLC came under fire for comparing the Tea Party movement and other grassroots conservatives to terrorists.

AFTAH is a Christian organization that promotes biblical morality and publicly decries both violence and hatred against homosexuals. Although it has been in operation for a number of years, the SPLC only recently labeled AFTAH a hate group after being pressured by the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network. (GLN is a fringe group of self-described Marxists and sexual anarchists best known for disrupting peaceful Christian gatherings with raucous, bullhorn laden protests.)

Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with Liberty Counsel, commented:

You can only cry wolf so many times before people begin to ignore you. Newsflash: Moveon.org wants Bush tried as a war criminal,Charlie Sheen thinks the U.S. government is behind 9/11 and, yes, the SPLC has once again awarded its now meaningless hate group distinction to another conservative organization with which it is admittedly in every way, both politically and ideologically, opposed. Who would’ve thunk it?

In the past, the SPLC has actually done some good. By identifying and monitoring real hate groups such as the KKK, neo-Nazis and Skin Heads, the SPLC once provided information to local law enforcement which was sometimes useful in preventing and investigating subversive and violent activity.

Unfortunately, in recent years the SPLC has traded in its limited usefulness for radical left-wing activism. It has become much like that which it previously sought to expose. It now uses the very tactics employed by white nationalists and other bona-fide hate groups to malign large groups of people whom the SPLC most decidedly hates.

It’s nauseatingly transparent. With empty, ad hominem attacks and pejorative hate group smears, the SPLC strives to politically marginalize its ideological opponents. It’s a cynical guilt-by-false-association scheme, through which the SPLC hopes in the public minds eye to equate Christians, Tea Party conservatives and other traditionalists to the KKK and neo-Nazis.

Amazingly, in going after Americans for Truth, the GLN betrayed its SPLC ally by publicly acknowledging SPLCs nefarious tactics. GLN boasted that this was the strategy all along. The Gay Liberation Networks stated goal in goading the SPLC to label AFTAH a hate group was to help assist in AFTAHs political marginalization. Of course, by kowtowing to an already deeply marginalized GLN; by so obviously abusing its once-respectable reputation; and by spending its last remaining political capital on such folly, the SPLC has only succeeded in further marginalizing itself.

It’s a hate group, mudslinging good time! Lets try it on for size. In exercise of the SPLCs trademark I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I criteria for determining hate group status, I hereby declare the Southern Poverty Law Center an official anti-Christian, anti-conservative hate group. Try it. It’s fun.

But seriously, if AFTAH is a hate group, then so is Liberty Counsel, Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, American Family Association, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Roman Catholic Church. Any group that observes and defends traditional sexual morality would have to be labeled such. Heck, for that matter, so would the U.S. Armed Forces, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA. These groups publically expose the undeniable medical and societal pitfalls associated with the homosexual lifestyle and, therefore, must be hate groups, right?

Of course, like any bully, the SPLC only goes after those it believes it can push around. But really, it confers an honor upon every legitimate Christian and conservative group that it so disingenuously labels as a hate group. This is a tacit admission by the SPLC that these groups represent a threat; that their activities undermine the SPLCs not-so-thinly-veiled, left-wing agenda.

I can’t speak for the organizations with which I’m affiliated and, of course, I hate absolutely no one. Nonetheless, I’d like to officially request that the SPLC add my name to its spurious anti-gay hate list. It’s good for ones biblical bona-fides.

(Matt Barber currently, and proudly, sits on the board of Americans for Truth.)

Family, Faith and Freedom Banquet a Smashing Success!

During my life, I have learned God answers prayers in a number of ways. He can either say yes, no, not now or not your way. The Lord answered my prayers and those of many others regarding IFI’s Fall Banquet. The event was an overwhelming success and I give praise to the Lord and thanks to those who supported IFI by attending the fundraiser featuring Governor Mike Huckabee last Tuesday in Rosemont, Illinois.

Well over 800 good folks attended the dinner, including faithful supporters, pastors, priests and elected officials and candidates seeking various elected offices.

The event began with a welcome from Cisco Cotto, co-host of the John & Cisco Show on WIND (560 AM). The national anthem was sung by Debbie K and the Freedom Band, and an invocation was given by Dr. Rob Rienow from Wheaton Bible Church. While dinner was being served, the crowd viewed a special “For Such a Time as This” video.

Then, Mike Huckabee wowed the crowd! Huckabee’s speech reminded those attending why we are so blessed to live in the United States of America and that it only takes a little ‘light’ to expel the darkness. Huckabee then treated IFI guests when he joined Debbie K and the Freedom Band in the playing of the Battle Hymn of the America.

Relevant Radio’s Fr. Francis Hoffman, also known as “Fr. Rocky,” closed the evening with a prayer and a special blessing for Gov. Huckabee.

It would be impossible to thank everyone who contributed to a very memorable evening, but I must give a great big Thank You to the dozens of great volunteers who made the IFI Family, Faith and Freedom Banquet a huge success. Thanks to IFI’s Board members who have given me the opportunity to lead such a wonderful organization. Thanks to IFI staffers who, though at times overwhelmed, did an outstanding job.

This banquet provided us with a fantastic platform to raise awareness of our work and ministry while at the same time raising much needed operating funds. This would not have been possible without the generosity of those who believe the Illinois Family Institute’s mission is worthwhile.

Marissa Zeppieri is a journalist with “The Good News of Florida” who is appalled that women aren’t being warned about the link between abortion and increased breast cancer risk. Her story, “Is there a link between abortion and breast cancer?” is featured on the front page of the October issue of the newspaper during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The newspaper boasts that it has 90,000 copies in circulation every month, so thanks to Ms. Zeppieri and her editors, Florida may be among the few states in the nation where women are not kept in the dark about the facts during Breast Cancer Exploitation (I mean, “Awareness”) Month.

You can find a link to the news article below, but first, I have just one clarification to make. Second trimester miscarriages (like abortions and premature births before 32 weeks gestation) increase breast cancer risk. Most first trimester miscarriages do not increase risk.

The former increase risk because the breasts grow under the influence of increased levels of pregnancy hormones that stimulate cancer-susceptible breast lobules to multiply and leave the breasts with more places for cancers to start.

Most first trimester miscarriages, however, are abnormal pregnancies with insufficient levels of pregnancy hormones. These pregnancies do not change the structure of the breasts or stimulate breast growth because of the low hormonal levels. That is why women often say after a miscarriage that they didn’t “feel” pregnant. Their breasts didn’t grow and weren’t sore and tender; and they didn’t feel nauseous.

Please read Ms. Zeppieri’s article using the links below.

Click here for Page 1
Click here for Page 2

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On January 13, a letter to the editor appeared in the online edition of the Daily Herald. Mary Stuhr of Addison, Illinois wrote: “As the inauguration of our new president occurs, a tidal wave of pro-life prayer should be sweeping the nation to make reparation for the sins against life committed by public officials, who are in favor of abortion.” Her simple, one-sentence statement drew 187 comments from online readers.

While a large number of respondents engaged in a protracted debate on abortion, other posters blasted Ms. Stuhr for suggesting that prayer and faith have any place in the business of politics and government. One individual advised her to “keep your religion to yourself . . . [it’s] not something to be screamed at others.” Another writer encouraged her to “keep praying mary, (sic) and stay home on election day to pray please.” Clearly, the idea of specific and concerted prayer for our nation and its leaders struck a nerve with these Daily Herald readers.

I hope that Mary Stuhr’s call to prayer strikes a chord with every Christian who reads her words, a chord that resonates and reverberates throughout our country. For too long we have been complacent as the religious heritage of our nation is rewritten by revisionists who desire to water down every reference to the faith on which the United States was founded. We weakly express our helplessness in the face of strong opposition to Judeo-Christian values and a biblical worldview, lamenting that “all we can do is pray,” when the very first thing we should do is pray.

This week the eyes of our nation and the world will be focused on Washington, D.C., as Barack Obama is sworn in as the forty-fourth president of the United States of America. In Springfield and in Washington D.C., the political season has already begun as the start of new legislative sessions (in the General Assembly and in the Congress) are underway. Regrettably the spotlight continues to shine unfavorably on Illinois as the subsequent impeachment and trial of scandal plagued Governor Rod Blagojevich drags on. At a time when our state and national government are in transition and turmoil, it is vital that Christians everywhere commit to uphold our leaders and lawmakers before the Lord in prayer.

Romans 13:1-2 instructs that “every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” St. Paul is clear in his letter to the Romans that those who lead and govern have been appointed to their positions of authority by the Ultimate Authority, the Lord God. The apostle further underscores this truth and our right response to it when he writes to his son in the faith, Timothy, exhorting him “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2a) According to Scripture, following Paul’s directives will lead us to a quiet and peaceable life of godliness and reverence because we are seeking to do what is good and acceptable in the sight of the Lord. (1 Timothy2:2b-3) Our prayers for our leaders should not be motivated by our own selfish desires, but by our love for God, our recognition of His supreme authority over us, and our desire to glorify and honor Him.

In light of this exhortation from Holy Scripture, I want to encourage you to commit to pray regularly and deliberately for your community and county, for our state and nation, and most especially for elected officials at every level of government. Many of our leaders espouse viewpoints and agendas that are in direct opposition to God and the truth of His Word. Yet we know that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1) We need to pray for the hearts of our leaders, that they will be open and yielding in the hand of the Lord, submitting to His authority and seeking to do His will. Let us also remember to pray fervently for public servants and all in government who are believers, asking God to bless, protect, strengthen, and work mightily through them.

As we pray for our leaders, we must also examine our own hearts and pray for revival within our churches and our families. We have allowed an attitude of entitlement and materialism — a life of ease — to distort accurate and true biblical understanding of God. Pray that the Lord would pour out the light of His Truth into the darkness of lies that masquerade as truth. May God open our eyes, cause us to repent, and place within each of us a burning desire to know Him and serve Him.

The Illinois Family Institute can testify to the truth of James 5:16 — “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” We are grateful for and dependent on your prayer support. Please continue to pray for IFI’s ongoing efforts to serve God in 2009 by striving to transform the laws and culture of Illinois. Join us as we pray that Christians in our state would grasp the magnitude of God’s plan for Illinois, our nation, and the world and would choose to stand with us as we seek to proclaim the truth of His Word.

For His glory and honor,

David E. Smith
Executive Director

I believe one of the greatest threats facing America today is the attack on religious liberty. Even though the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly protects religion — and the practice thereof — the misinterpretation of the term “separation of church and state” has led to a systematic stripping of all references to faith in the public square.

There are a number of reasons why faith in America has been the target of groups like the ACLU and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Perhaps the foremost engine fueling the march toward secularism in America has stemmed from the misinterpretation of the words ‘separation of church and state’. If I were a betting man, I would wager most Americans now believe that term can be found in the U.S. Constitution. Even though a past U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1958 warned this might become a problem one day, those who believe God and faith has no place in public life have used this term to advance their godless political agenda.

The truth of the matter is the term ‘separation of church and state’ cannot be found in any formal document, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution itself. As many are aware, the term has been taken out of context from a private letter sent by then-President Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Association. In reality, Jefferson was trying to allay their fears that the U.S. was become a one-denominational Christian nation, similar to the Church of England which played a role in that country’s official government. But these facts have not stopped the secularists and their agenda.

Thankfully, many in our nation have decided to say “enough is enough” and the fight against the attacks on religious liberty were extremely successful in 2007; there is great hope for the new year. To illustrate my point, the Wisconsin legislature had previously voted to call the state Christmas tree a “holiday tree.” Last year, Wisconsin’s General Assembly, by a vote of 84-12 rescinded its 1985 decision and the state now officially has a Christmas tree again. Some might think this is a very small victory for religious expression. However, in reality, taking place in one of the most liberal states in the Union, Wisconsin’s decision may reveal a trend that is sweeping the country.

In Fort Collins, a small town in Colorado, city officials had decided to remove red and green lights from their city’s “holiday” displays. Late last year, due to tremendous pressure, the town’s elected officials removed the restrictions on colored Christmas lights and, once again, the spirit of the season seemed to win over politically correct madness.

In one of the most truly important occurrences in 2007, the Illinois General Assembly enacted legislation that would require a moment of silent reflection or prayer before every public school day. The Governor vetoed the bill (SB 1463), but then, by an overwhelming margin, state legislators overturned the Governor’s actions and the bill became law in a state dominated by Democratic politicians who control both Houses of the General Assembly and hold every office from Governor down to State Comptroller. Here again, Republicans and Democrats came together in an effort to reinstate freedoms guaranteed within the U.S. Constitution. Of course, it wouldn’t be America if a lone atheist hadn’t challenged the bill; as such, a decision will be forthcoming on March 5th regarding the case. The ACLU will face-off against the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) in the court of a federal judge, and many expect the case will move on to higher courts.

But those of us who believe faith has a place in American life can take solace in the fact that Americans are fighting back against a torrent that will wash away precious rights if not checked.

“We are seeing the ACLU being more conscientious of the actions it takes because more and more people are becoming aware of its agenda, which America largely rejects,” said Nedd Kareiva, Director, Stop the ACLU Coalition. “The ACLU and other similar organizations are taking it on the chin because they are learning their positions are out of step with a sizeable majority of the American people.”

Many believe the Judeo-Christian ethic has played a major role in making America the greatest nation on earth. Yet we must not become complacent and let others do the work for us. Our religious liberties are at stake and the fight has only just begun.

Below are some related links.
Alliance Defense Fund: www.alliancedefensefund.org
Wallbuilders: www.wallbuilders.com
Thomas More Society, Pro-Life Law Center: www.thomasmoresociety.org
Stop the ACLU Coalition: www.stoptheaclu.org
Article: The Founding Fathers: Their True View On Religion’s Role In Government by Daniel T. & Julia M. Zanoza

Vowed to “burn every one of your [g-d] damned churches down”

WHEATON, Illinois–Homosexual Lawrence Keitz of Chicago pled guilty yesterday to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from his 2005 e-mail threat against Illinois Family Institute in which he vowed to “burn every one of your [g-d] damned churches down” and “fight till my last breath to see that you people are destroyed.”

Under a plea agreement, Keitz received “court supervision” for the crime, which allows him to escape jail time for the offense–a Class C misdemeanor carrying a maximum 30-day jail sentence–provided he does not engage in similar harassing behaviors in the next year.

Under the agreement approved by Dupage County Judge Cary B. Pierce, Keitz agreed to stay away from IFI’s offices and staff in Glen Ellyn, pay a fine and write a letter of apology to Illinois Family Institute within 60 days. If he does not repeat the threats, ultimately he will have the opportunity to have the record of his guilty plea expunged so that he has no permanent criminal record.

Keitz, an employee of the PappaGeorge/Haymes Ltd. architectual firm in Chicago, used his work e-mail address to send the following threatening note to IFI on July 13, 2005 (this is cleaned up for publication; our edits are in brackets; astericks were his):

—–Original Message—–
From: Lawrence Keitz [mailto:lkeitz@pappageorgehaymes.com]
Posted At: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 12:55 PM Posted To:
info@illinoisfamily.org

Conversation: Leave us the F**k alone
Subject: Leave us the F**k alone

I am a gay citizen of this country.

You get the f**k out of my countery [sic] and leave me alone or I will burn every one of your [g-d] damned churches down. Shove your [g-d] up your own [a–]! I will fight till my last breath to see that you people are destroyed. F**k off!

Assistant States Attorney Jeff Muntz, who prosecuted the case, said that a previous charge against Keitz for “harassment by electronic communication” had been dropped.

Pray for Keitz
Representing Illinois Family Institute at the hearing, I introduced myself to Keitz, shook his hand and told him that we do not hate him. 

Keitz, a white male wearing a pony tail who appeared to be in his late 20s, replied that it was “hard to tell” from IFI’s website.

Please pray for Lawrence Keitz and all the pro-homosexual activists who regularly attack IFI and other family groups–sometimes viciously or even illegally (as in this case). Because we oppose homosexuality as a matter of principle and reject “gayness” as a core identity, they label us as “haters,” and, strangely, justify their ugly attacks by citing our policies and beliefs.

Keitz’s e-mail can be seen as consistent with the history of modern homosexual activism in which “gay” militants have used extreme tactics against opponents. (In 1991, one radical “gay” group put a giant “condom” over conservative Sen. Jesse Helms’ house, frightening his maid; in 1989, the militant group ACT UP invaded the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City during Sunday mass and desecrated the host; in another protest in Boston, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) activists threw communion wafers at newly ordained Catholic priests.) 

Keitz’s hateful message and others like it also can be viewed as part of a new, escalating trend of intolerance and threats against pro-family critics that has paralleled the growth of “gay” power in the United States. 

In August, Americans For Truth received a vulgar phone message from a man, ending with this threat: “Someone ought to shoot you in the head, man.”

One homosexual blog contained this troublesome post about a pro-family advocate (emphasis added):

Anyone else who writes to them [Americans For Truth], be careful. If they are anything like the cowards in Fred Phelps’ gang, they treat even mildly threatening comments very seriously and turn them over to the FBI. Be militant, just don’t mention death, even though you’ll want to.

Many pro-family leaders who have confronted the homosexual movement publicly can attest to being on the receiving end of similar acts of harassment. Beyond the verbal threats, pro-homosexual groups have at times crusaded to close down Christian events that run counter to their agenda–such as last October, when a large contingent of anti-war leftists and homosexual activists protested outside a Focus on the Family “Love Won Out” (ex-gay) conference in Boston, chanting, “Shut it down!” Police were forced to barricade the doors of the hosting Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston, not letting anyone in or out.

Equal justice?
Even as Lawrence Keitz received his penalty for what certainly was a rash act that he now regrets, I wondered: if a ‘Christian’ conservative had sent a similar threatening e-mail to a homosexual advocacy group, perhaps vowing to “burn down” all pro-homosexual churches and “destroy” gay people in the Chicagoland area, would he escape with such a light sentence?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

llinois Family Institute sent out the following press release Wednesday, August 16:

GLEN ELLYN–Illinois Family Institute today announced the appointment of David E. Smith as its new Executive Director, to succeed Peter LaBarbera, who is resigning to pursue his goal of creating a national organization dedicated to confronting the homosexual activist agenda. 

Smith, 37, has served as Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute since coming on board in March 2004, and is leading the push for a statewide Marriage Protection Referendum in Illinois. He gained national respect as a decency advocate after filing 70 FCC complaints against Chicago shock-jock Eric “Mancow” Muller, resulting in a $300,000 fine against Mancow’s parent company, Emmis Communications Corporation. 

“It is a great honor to be chosen to lead Illinois Family Institute,” Smith said. “I will do my best to defend marriage, life, and decency for the families of this state against the determined efforts of liberal groups to disqualify Biblically-informed thought and action.” 

LaBarbera, 44, who joined IFI in September 2003, is recognized as a leading opponent of the “gay” movement. Under his tenure, IFI’s visibility and grassroots network grew tremendously. In the weeks leading up to the November election, he will stay on at IFI as an advisor to help with the transition. LaBarbera’s group, Americans for Truth, will be based in Naperville, Illinois.

“One of the best decisions I made at Illinois Family Institute was hiring Dave Smith, a godly man who works harder than anyone I have ever met for the pro-family and pro-life cause,” LaBarbera said. “I share Dave’s vision of a broad-based family movement that crosses racial and denominational lines, and am confident that IFI will prosper and grow under his leadership.

“It has been a privilege to serve IFI and the hundreds of thousands of Illinois families it represents who yearn for a more just society that protects innocent unborn life and the God-ordained family,” LaBarbera said. “I am thankful to IFI’s Board of Directors for this opportunity, and will continue to support the Institute’s work, which is needed now more than ever.”

Said Smith: “For the past two years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Peter LaBarbera. I will miss him and the passion he brought each and every day to the office. Yet I fully understand his desire to counter the powerful and well-funded homosexual lobby. I have learned many important lessons from Peter, and plan to continue to work with him and Americans for Truthhere in Illinois. I wish him and AFT success in the battle for truth.”

An alumnus of the Family Research Council’s Witherspoon Fellowship, Dave graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1998. Smith, who has lived in Chicago his entire life, and his wife of 11 years are the parents of three young children. 

IFI is a non-partisan, non-profit public policy group that works to protect marriage, family and the sanctity of life in the Land of Lincoln. Phone: 630-790-8370; e-mail: info@illinoisfamily.org. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – – Family Research Council, a leading national pro-family think tank, today presentedDavid E. Smith, Senior Policy Analyst at the Illinois Family Institute, with its “Family, Faith and Freedom Award.” 

Smith was recognized for his persistence in campaigning against indecent broadcasts, particularly the 70 indecency complaints he filed over a period of four years with the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) against the sex- and vulgarity-laden morning radio program of Chicago shock-jock Erich “Mancow” Mueller. 

Smith’s determined efforts resulted in FCC fines totaling $300,000 against Emmis Corporation, owner of Mancow’s program. As part of its plea agreement with the FCC, Emmis pledged to clean up its stations.

“The goal of the Mancow project was to expose the prevalence of indecent broadcasts–and the inaction of the FCC,” Smith said. “To some extent we were successful: recent Mancow programs haven’t been nearly as sexually explicit as they were in the past, and the FCC showed it is starting to get serious about punishing gross indecency.”

IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera said that by taking on a powerful shock jock against very long odds, and then winning, Smith inspired millions of people across the United States who now know that they can stop indecent programming.

“We at IFI are so proud of Dave. He is a living proof of the idea that one person can make a difference,” LaBarbera said. “So many people complain about the garbage on the airwaves; Dave did something about it. I hope and pray more Americans follow his example.” 

“We are grateful to Family Research Council for recognizing Dave Smith, and for the tremendous work they do in Washington to protect families,” LaBarbera said.

The award reads as follows:

FAMILY RESEACH COUNCIL
proudly presents this 
Family, Faith and Freedom Award
to
David Smith
Illinois Family Institute

March 18, 2005

A passionate heart for the well being of children and the quality of community life prompted David Smith to take on the tide of broadcast indecency in the Chicago area. Working at multiple jobs to support his young family and serve his neighbor, he nontheless found the time to wage a model campaign for the enforcement of the nation’s communications laws. In so doing, he not only affirmed the right of the American people to protect the airwaves in the public interest, but he also honed the duty of every citizen to raise a voice of conscience.

With enduring admiration for his courage and conviction, and with special appreciation for the bond we share though his participation in the Witherspoon Fellowship, Family Reseach Council is honored to present David Smith with the 
Family, Faith and Freedom Award.

TONY PERKINS
PRESIDENT

IFI proudly announces new user-friendly website and e-mail format, hosted by 1871 Media.

I am delighted to welcome you to the debut of Illinois Family Institute’s redesigned website and our new, user-friendly e-mail format. 

This new email format will be a refreshing change from the former IFI emails that were often times too long and cumbersome. The new e-publication will come out 1-2 times per week–in addition to periodic E-Alerts–and will include headlines and short teasers for each article which you, the reader, can access simply by clicking on the headline for that article. 

This new format allows you, the IFI subscriber, to read only the stories that interest you, rather than having to sift through an entire e-mail to read what you want. Of course, every story IFI publishes is a valuable source of timely information, but we know that you are often too busy to read everything we write. 

Please remember that the short description for each e-mail story is just that: a teaser describing the entire article, which you can access by clicking on the headline or the “read more” link.

On the website, you will also find the most up-to-date stories, alerts and opinions with information about the legislation and policies of concern to Illinois families. But there is more: with our redesigned layout, IFI will be able to provide you with MUCH MORE and BETTER information on a wide variety of issues, and it will be much more accessible to you.

We still have many changes to make, so we will be tweaking and adding to the site over the coming months as it moves into full operation. 

Please feel free to let us know what you think. E-mail IFI at info@illinoisfamily.org or David Smith, our Senior Policy Analyst, at:desmith@illinoisfamily.org (You can call Dave at 773-858-6602.) 

And please do not forget to tell all your friends and family to subscribe to our new and improved email service!

Thank you for your patience as we move forward with this exciting project at Illinois Family Institute! God bless you.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera
Executive Director

Federal Judge Rejects First Amendment Claims as ‘Frivolous’

GLEN ELLYN–Shock jock Erich “Mancow” Muller dropped, with prejudice, the $3 million lawsuit he filed against Chicago decency advocate David Smith and Citizens for Community Values–after a federal judge rejected Mancow’s claim that Smith violated his free speech rights. 

In the suit, Mancow alleged that Smith’s repeated FCC indecency complaints against his show violated his First Amendment rights, a claim that was repeated in various media interviews. However, during the proceedings, Federal Court Judge David H. Coar concluded that Mancow’s First Amendment claim was “frivolous” and “insubstantial.” Judge Coar continued, saying, “I have not heard word one from anybody that would suggest that there would be a basis for the assertion of the First Amendment in this case.” He then remanded the case to state court, where Mancow voluntarily dismissed the case six weeks later. 

“I’m relieved that Mancow dismissed his lawsuit against me,” said Smith, the father of two young children and the new senior policy analyst for the Illinois Family Institute. “I hope he realizes that our goal was not to attack him personally but to expose and bring an end to his indecent broadcasts that were harmful to children and families. 

“To some extent we have accomplished just that,” Smith said. “Mancow has cleaned up his show by no longer airing ads for pornographic adult book stores and strip bars, and recent programs haven’t been nearly as sexually explicit as they were in the past.” 

Peter LaBarbera, Illinois Family Institute’s Executive Director, said, “We always knew that Mancow, by going after Dave, was simply trying to silence a good citizen. Thank God he failed. This is a big victory for concerned citizens like Dave who are sick and tired of lewd content on the airwaves, and want to use the procedures set up by their government to stop it. 

“The lesson is clear: stick to your guns and don’t be intimidated by multi-million dollar shock jocks with big wallets,” LaBarbera said. 

Smith said he will continue to monitor Mancow and other radio and TV programs for indecency, and “will not hesitate to file FCC complaints when it appears broadcast indecency laws have been violated.”