Rev. Franklin Graham is bringing his Decision America Tour to Springfield. He plans to present the Gospel and challenge Christians to live out their faith at home, in public and at the ballot box.  Many faith leaders in Illinois are supporting the June 14th rally and are working for a big turnout on the steps of the state capitol so that revival can spread throughout the Land of Lincoln.

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Illinoisans might think that state lawmakers elected to fix the mess they created would be drowning in real work with nary a moment to surface for air. Allow me to disabuse you of that quaint, naïve notion.

Our “progressive” lawmakers have found time—actually a fair amount of time—to write, assign to a committee, discuss, and now reassign to another committee a resolution the likes of which I’ve never seen.

“Progressives” have written a partisan resolution specifically to express their self-righteous disapproval of a law passed by citizens in two states halfway across the country. You heard that right. Our “progressive” lawmakers, who by all objective measures have done a disastrous job of running Illinois and can’t figure out how to solve the problems they created, have decided it’s time to take a shot at running other states as well.

Senate Resolution 1752 calls on citizens of Mississippi and North Carolina to repeal their laws requiring restrooms to correspond to objective, immutable biological sex.

On May 3^rd, SR 1752 was assigned to the Illinois Senate State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee for a hearing. The committee has nine members, so five “yes” votes were necessary to pass this self-righteous, presumptuous resolution out of committee.

A few days before the hearing, IFI’s lobbyist Ralph Rivera met with the committee members who would likely vote “no.” During the committee meeting last Thursday, a courageous Illinois mother testified effectively against the resolution. Subsequently the bill’s sponsor, Illinois Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), was informed that he didn’t have the five votes, and he chose not to call the resolution for a vote.

The celebration of this success was short-lived because the very next day, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s office took SR 1752 out of the Senate State Government and Veteran Affairs Committee and re-referred (i.e., reassigned) it to the Senate Human Services Committee, a committee which the resolution’s sponsors view as a more, shall we say, sympathetic committee.

While under the Illinois Senate rules this kind of committee-shopping is permitted, it undermines the purpose of the committee process and further undermines the public’s trust in Springfield (is that even possible?).

If SR 1752 has hit the committee jackpot and gets out of committee next week, it still must be approved by the full senate sometime in the next two weeks.

As you write to express your opposition to this resolution, remember that State Representative Tom Morrison’s Pupil Physical Privacy Act, which had more sponsors and bipartisan support in the Illinois House, was sent—not to an education committee where, as an education bill, it belonged—but to the Human Services Committee where it was then assigned to a subcommittee that everyone knew would never even meet.

Perfect illustration of Illinois’ leftist lawmakers: arrogant, deceitful, and manipulative.

This proposal is cosponsored by Senators Heather Steans (D-Chicago), Daniel Biss (D-Skokie), Laura Murphy (D-Park Ridge), Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), David Koehler (D-Peoria), Michael Noland (D-Elgin), and Iris Martinez (D-Chicago).

Take ACTION:  Click HERE to send a message to your state senator, asking him or her to reject this futile resolution which not only seeks to ridicule duly elected lawmakers in other states, but also to normalize gender deception in our culture.

You can also call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and asked to be transferred to your state senator’s office, where you can leave a comment with his/her legislative aide.

It’s one of those issues that many lawmakers and perhaps even Governor Bruce Rauner don’t want you to think about. That is, state taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. But life activists are keeping Planned Parenthood on the moral and political radar with protests that call attention to the organization’s big abortion business which includes the harvesting and sale of aborted baby body parts. And just think, its all subsidized by your paycheck.

Common sense suggests that public schools should  separate girls and boys in locker rooms and restrooms on  campuses.

A group of Illinois lawmakers is seeking divine intervention as the state budget stalemate lingers. Members of the Legislative Prayer Caucus are asking for prayers as they work to find solutions to the state’s fiscal and moral problems…and they are reaffirming that it is in God they trust.

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With early voting already underway (through March 14th)…
don’t wait another minute to order your Voter Guides in bulk!

Illinois’ Primary Election is just about a month away. If your schedule has changed, or if you think that you may be too busy to make it to your local polling place on election day, you should take advantage of early voting.  Click HERE to find contact information for your local Election Authority, or call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328, and we will be happy to look it up for you!

Do you and your family and friends know where the state-wide and federal candidates stand on freedom of conscience, sex-education, gambling expansion, and same-sex marriage, to name a few? The IFI Voter Guide will be the only way most people get the information they need to make an informed decision.

The IFI Voter Guide is a great tool for educating church members and reminding them to vote. They are especially effective when handed directly to people.  We encourage you to make sure that these Voter Guides get directly into the hands of your fellow churchgoers.  This is a strictly educational voter information publication and suitable for churches to print and share!

Take ACTION:  Order bulk quantities of these Voter Guides today so that you are able to use them over the next several weeks leading up to the election!  Click HERE or call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328 during normal business hours to place an order.

And, in case you missed it, I want to draw your attention to the various resources IFI has worked long and hard to compile to help you make educated decisions in the polling booth:

Presidential Voter Guide!

-and-

Local Voter Guide Editions! 

Pass The Email Along!

Voters across Illinois need to know about Illinois Family Institute’s efforts in the public square – including our non-partisan Voter Guides.  Please pass this email along to your own email list.

The full version of the IFI 2016 Primary Election Voter Guide is available for download HERE.

Our get-out-the-vote campaign is up and running. We are distributing the IFI Primary Voter Guide to hundreds of churches, civic groups and tea party organizations. Will you financially support our endeavor to educate Illinois voters and promote family values?  

We are currently taking orders for our 2016 Primary Election Voter Guide. The non-partisan IFI Voter Guide helps voters know more about the positions of candidates who are seeking their vote on March 15, 2016. It will also soon be available online at www.illinoisfamily.org.

There will be a limited number printed and when they are gone, we won’t be printing more. SO PLACE YOUR BULK ORDER SOON!

Take ACTION: To pre-order a bulk order click HERE. You can also call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328.

Suggested Donation: $25 for 100.

Are you registered to vote?

Have you moved? Changed your name? Will you or someone in your family be turning 18 on or before November 6,2016? Then register to vote!

It’s quick and easy! You can register to vote online with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

After that crucial first step, help educate Illinois voters by distributing IFI’s 2016 Primary Voter Guide. These Voter Guides are non-partisan educational pieces that report the positions of candidates on important issues such as life, marriage and other issues that directly affect your family. These Guides do not endorse a candidate or political party and are legal for distribution in churches under IRS guidelines.

The IFI staff will be busy contacting churches to encourage them to engage in the civic process. Many have already committed to distributing the Voter Guide. However, Illinois is a very large state and we need your help to get the IFI Voter Guide into every church that is concerned about the direction our state and nation are heading. Would you ask your pastor if your church will make the IFI Voter Guide available?

Take ACTION:  If you are able to help please click HERE to let us know. Whether you want to take the IFI Voter Guides to your church, set up a distribution point in your area or be the contact person for your city or county, we need your help.

Spread the Word!

Do you have friends or acquaintances who could benefit from IFI’s informational emails? If you do, please forward this email to them and encourage them to join our e-mail list!  Then, check us out on other social media platforms:

Follow us on Twitter – @ProFamilyIFI

Like us on Facebook – Pro-Family Illinois

Subscribe to us on YouTube – ILFamilyInstitute!

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

Thank you for helping us to reach more families!

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall
and stand in the breach before me for the land…” ~Ezekiel 22:30

Written by Pastor John Kirkwood

CRY OUT FOR LIFE: Join us on Saturday, October 24^th for a Pro-Life Rally and Jericho March at the Illinois Governor’s mansion in Springfield.

Illinois Family Institute in cooperation with the Christian Emergency League is calling for Pro-Life Illinoisans to rally at 410 E. Jackson St. from 11 AM until Noon to pray and recite scripture, to sing hope into the darkness, and to call on the Lord’s blessing as we answer His call to “rescue the weak and the needy, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Click HERE for a flyer.

Since the Planned Parenthood scandal erupted, nearly a dozen governors have initiated an investigation into Planned Parenthood, while at least 5 states have already cut off funding.  Yet Illinois remains silent.

In Minnesota, the governor and legislature refused to address the situation, so Minnesota pro-life groups turned out over 1,500 people to surround the Executive Mansion and to call for justice. Why not Illinois?

In Illinois, Governor Bruce Rauner has been strangely silent on this issue while not one journalist will even dare to utter “Planned Parenthood” in his presence.  Those who value the sanctity of human life cannot afford to wait for politicians and journalists to do the right thing.  We the People must lead!

In 2011, when homeschooling was threatened in Illinois, thousands called and turned out in protest.  How much more for Life?

When traditional marriage was wavering on the docket in 2013, nearly 6,000 turned out to stand in the gap.  Are the lives of the unborn any less important?

Yearly, when gun rights hang in the balance, second Amendment enthusiasts turn out 8,000+ strong to shout, “Shall not be infringed.”  Is the sacred right to life to any degree less than that right which we esteem to protect?

Imagine Springfield reverberating with the vicarious voice of the unborn!

Take ACTION:  Join us on Saturday, October 24^th as we rally, sing, pray, and speak out for the least among us. Starting at 11 AM, we will rally with love for our unborn neighbor in front of the governor’s mansion! (See map HERE.)  Bring your families, your youth groups, your small groups, your tea-parties, and your pro-life brethren as we shake the foundations of death and indifference in our state’s capital.

For more information, click HERE or call (708) 781-9328.  Check back for buses leaving in your neighborhood or contact us to let us know if you can sponsor a bus.

Support the work & ministry of Illinois Family Institute!

The race for the 18th Congressional will be held on September 10th.  Republican Darin LaHood and Democrat Rob Mellon are the two nominees running against each another in this special election to replace the seat once held by Aaron Schock, who resigned in March. Schock is involved in a federal investigation for criminal campaign spending.

Last night the two candidates vying for this vacant seat debated some of the issues.  Moderators included State Journal-Register political writer Bernard Schoenburg, WMAY news director Jim Leach and Peoria Journal Star political writer Chris Kaergard.  You can watch the full one hour debate on YouTube HERE.

For a printable version of the IFI Special 18th Congressional Election Voter Guide, CLICK HERE.

Because this is a special election, turnout will be very low.  Some are expecting turnout to be less than 10 percent of voters.  That means your vote is more important than ever!

If you think you may not be able to vote on Tuesday, September 10th for this special election, you can take advantage of early voting.  Visit your county clerk’s web site below to find the early voting locations in your area.

You can also vote by mail (absentee ballot) through Sept 7th. You’ll want to call or visit your county clerk’s web site for the details on how to obtain an absentee ballot and when they must be postmarked.

Finally, the last day to vote in person is only at the county clerk’s office on Monday, Sept. 9th.

For more information about absentee and early voting, please contact your county clerk, listed below:

ADAMS COUNTY — (217) 277-2150
countyclerk@co.adams.il.us

BROWN COUNTY — (217) 773-3421
jlham1009@hotmail.com

CASS COUNTY — (217) 452-7217
cassclerk@casscomm.com

HANCOCK COUNTY — (217) 357-3911
hancockcovoters@hotmail.com

LOGAN COUNTY — (217) 732–4148
elections@co.logan.il.us

MARSHALL COUNTY — (309) 246-6325
mweber@marshallcountyillinois.com

MASON COUNTY — (309) 543-6661
countyclerk@masoncountyil.org

McCLEAN COUNTY — (309) 888-5190
kathy.michael@mcleancountyil.gov

McDONOUGH COUNTY — (309) 833-2474
gdejaynes@mcdonoughcountyclerk.org

MENARD COUNTY — (217) 632-3201
pduncheon@co.menard.il.us

MORGAN COUNTY — (217) 243-8581
jwaggener@morgancounty-il.com

PEORIA COUNTY — (309) 494-8683
tbride@peoriacounty.org

PIKE COUNTY — (217) 285-6812
donnieapps@adams.net

SANGAMON COUNTY — (217) 753-8683
sancoele@co.sangamon.il.us

SCHUYLER COUNTY — (217) 322-4734
clerk85@schuylercounty.org

SCOTT COUNTY — (217) 742-3178
scottcoclerk@frontier.com

STARK COUNTY — (309) 286-5911
starkcoclerk@starkco.illinois.gov

TAZEWELL COUNTY — (309) 477-2267
mhartley@tazewell.com

WOODFORD COUNTY — (309) 467-2822
cntyclk@woodford-county.org

Please support IFI as we fight for liberty & work to advance the truth
about the sanctity of life & importance of marriage in our culture!

Governor Bruce Rauner lied—or perhaps more precisely his wife, helpmeet, and mouthpiece, Diana Rauner, lied for him.

In a campaign ad, Mrs. Rauner stated with a Cheshire grin and a long nose that “Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda.”

Oh really…

Just this afternoon following the day during which we had to hear more about Planned Parenthood’s bloody baby-breaking business—which Ms. Rauner heartily supports—Governor “No-Social-Agenda” signed into law the anti-autonomy “Youth Mental Health Act,” deceitfully called the “conversion therapy ban” by radical LGBTQQIP activists. HB 217 will now become law.

Now minors who experience same-sex attraction as a result of sexual molestation will be prohibited from receiving counseling that may help them reject an unwanted, unchosen “gay identity.”

And minors who experience gender dysphoria will be prohibited from receiving counseling to help them accept as good their physical embodiment and to affirm a “gender identity” consonant with their objective, immutable biological sex. Even liberal sexuality and gender scientists Dr. Eric Vilain and Dr. J. Michael Bailey expressed their opposition to bans on so-called “conversion therapies” for gender dysphoric minors. I guess the powerful Wizard of Springfield knows something these experts don’t.

Or…he has a social agenda, and one that’s as colorful as Obama’s rainbow-dipped D.C. home.

If you still doubt Rauner’s social agenda, please note that he could have done nothing and the bill would have become law anyway.

Alternatively, he could have used his “amendatory veto power,” which only a few governors have and which he used recently with the marijuana law. Socially quiescent Bruce could have used this power to request the following changes which we sent him several days ago:

1.) Request that the bill be amended to prohibit only coercive aversion therapies.

2.) Request that the bill be amended to define specifically what constitutes aversion therapy.

3.) Request that a specific exemption be added to allow counselors to discuss the connection between childhood molestation and sexual orientation confusion and/or same-sex attraction. The liberal American Psychological Association admits the following:

Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles….

Even homosexual counselors acknowledge that childhood molestation can result in “sexual orientation” confusion. Minors who have been sexually molested have a right to explore the link between their molestation and subsequent same-sex attraction.

4.) Request that the bill be amended to exclude gender dysphoria, “gender identity,” and “gender expression” from this bill. We have a very unusual definitional construct in Illinois law. The Illinois Human Rights Act specifically includes “gender identity” and “gender expression” under the rubric of “sexual orientation.” Because of this unusual legal definition, this bill would effectively ban any therapeutic modalities in which counselors help gender dysphoric minors accept their physical embodiment (i.e., their objective biological sex). Well-respected, liberal gender/sexuality scientists oppose bans on “conversion therapy” for gender dysphoric minors.

5.)Request that the bill be amended to permit minors who voluntarily seek counseling to help them construct an identity that does not affirm same-sex attraction to be able to access such counseling. Since gender dysphoric minors are permitted access to medical help in voluntarily rejecting their unwanted, unchosen physical embodiment, other minors should be able to access medical help in voluntarily rejecting their unwanted, unchosen same-sex attraction.

Governor Rauner could have done nothing or he could have used his amendatory veto power to request reasonable changes, but he didn’t because he has a pernicious social agenda that will undermine human flourishing.

Oh well, I guess in the big picture, what really matters are not the rights and welfare of minors and those who love them most. What really matters is that adult LGBTQQIP activists are sated and pensions are funded.

Illinois Family Institute
Faith, Family and Freedom Banquet

Friday, September 18 , 2015
The Stonegate Banquet & Conference Center (Map)
Click HERE for a banquet flyer.

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

Program advertisements & banquet sponsorships available.

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

Continuing to advance a progressive socialist agenda, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proudly announced this week that taxpayers in the City will be required to contribute to the funding of a new so-called “health” benefit: sex reassignment surgery.

It is difficult to see how sex reassignment surgery is a health benefit since gender dysphoria is still considered a mental disorder and since sex reassignment surgery mutilates bodies and renders patients sterile.

Yet, administrators in the City tell us that there are no resources for additional police, no resources to keep schools open and there are certainly resources for a trauma center in Roseland, South Shore or Englewood.  How is it that they can find tax dollars for elective surgeries for those confused about their gender?

According to tgender.net and health.costhelper.com, the average cost for a male-to-female reassignment procedure — an elective surgery — averages between $20,000 to $30,000.

Please support IFI as we fight for liberty & work to advance the truth
about the sanctity of life & importance of marriage in our culture!

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?

Yesterday afternoon in an appalling disregard for children’s mental health, parental rights and religious liberty, the Illinois House voted 68 to 43 to pass HB 217, a bill to ban reparative therapy for children who suffer from unwanted same-sex attraction disorder.  This bill was introduced by LBGTQ activist and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). The bill received eight more votes than the sixty needed to pass!

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

This is an unmitigated disaster for children and families! It is a shame that not one conservative lawmaker challenged this proposal during floor debate.  Not one lawmaker defended children and free speech from the tyranny of Leftists who demand we act, speak and think according to the dictates of their beliefs. Not one lawmaker reminded their colleagues that by diminishing the right to live out our faith, they are establishing the religion of secularism which the First Amendment decisively prohibits.

While a number of representatives were excused from session that afternoon, it is disappointing to report that seven Republicans sided with this pro-homosexual, anti-parental rights, anti-religious liberty legislation, including:  State Representatives Dan Brady (Normal), Tim Butler (Springfield), Michael McAuliffe (Chicago), Bob Pritchard (Sycamore), Deputy “Leader” David Leitch (Peoria), and Assistant Republican “Leader” Ed Sullivan (Mundelein), who also voted to pass same-sex “marriage” in November 2013. Even Republican Minority “Leader” Jim Durkin (Burr Ridge) voted to further the devastation of families who have members struggling with the issue of unwanted same-sex attraction.

However, a number of Democrats did not support this radical agenda, including State Representatives Kate Cloonen (Kankakee), Jerry Costello (Red Bud), Anthony DeLuca (Chicago Heights), Brandon Phelps (Harrisburg), Larry Walsh Jr. (Joliet) and even Assistant Majority Leader John Bradley (Marion).

IFI is grateful for the moral clarity displayed by these and other members of the Illinois House of Representatives who opposed HB 217.

The bill now moves to the Illinois Senate, the more liberal chamber. Unless an outpouring of prayers, along with many visits and calls are made to senators’ local district offices, this bill will likely become law.

We are seeing an unprecedented attack on Illinois families, parental rights and religious liberty by the people who are repeatedly elected back into their positions of authority. Are you registered to vote? Do you vote?

If people of faith do not step out of their comfort zone and speak loudly and publicly; at the very least with their vote, we are assuredly leaving a legacy of tyranny and evil for our children and grandchildren.

Will you please spread the word to everyone that you know in Illinois to pray, visit, and make calls to their state senator? You can look up their address and phone number HERE.  Also,send them an email. Simply click on the link below to send your email. Note: you must be registered with your name and address to send an email to your specific senator.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state senator. Urge him/her to vote against HB 217.  (If you have already sent an email to your state representative, please now send an email to your state senator.)

Click HERE TO SUPPORT Illinois Family Institute.