So, what is missing in the political campaign of 2012?  I would suggest truth and integrity are most notable by their absence.  It is little wonder that Americans are jaded and cynical about politicians. Regardless of what they promise before elected, once in office many officials appear to serve themselves rather than the public.  How is it that having formed a union “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” we find ourselves feeling so much “us vs. them” when it should be just “us?”  Why don’t we trust those we have elected?  The answer may not be that difficult to figure out. 

We were wooed by the siren sounds of the Left decades ago as they lectured us that ethics are determined by the “situation” rather than principle.  We bought their argument that there is no “Truth,” and that real freedom is about “doing your own thing.”  Even the Supreme Court has joined the hallucinations by ruling in the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs. Casey and again in the 2003 Lawrence vs. Texas that we each have the “right” to determine our own “reality!” 

Such thinking is not only ludicrous, it is consequential.  Witness our on-going inability to get the truth out of candidates.  And, worse yet is the brazen admiration shown to those who equivocate.  When Bill Clinton was going through troubles during his presidency, a friend noted that he “is an exceptionally good liar, and I mean that as a compliment!” 

It is inexcusable, on the part of the electorate, to tolerate a lack of character from our elected officials.  It is not just that we get scoundrels for leaders, it educates the populace that dishonesty rewards well, and integrity has little benefit!  If integrity brings only liabilities, why would we expect it from anyone?  It often costs so much!  

Is it not ironic, however, that those who claim truth to be subjective still demand it from others?  Why are those on the left, who have championed moral relativity, and have made a living off of lies complain when their opponents follow suit? 

The answer, of course, is obvious:  Morals and truth are not subjectively determined any more than reality itself is.  And, we all know It!  A person only claims that there is no truth because he intends to lie and thinks the rest of us can be bamboozled into accepting his lies!  But woe to you should you lie to him!  It’s justice for you; mercy for him! 

So, do we have any allies in determining the truth about political candidates?  Most of those in the Media have publically acknowledged their leftward leanings, and repeated discoveries of lying, “fabricated” stories and deception from so-called “reputable” news organizations reveals they have bought into the moral relativity of the Left.  They cannot be trusted.  

What are we to do? 

It may be time for Americans to come down off our collective high horse, kneel before our Creator and humbly acknowledge our rebellious and dangerous departure from His principles. 

That would be a good start!  And it may help us clear up the muddy waters of the political landscape.  

Do all politicians lie?  Not likely, but until we accept an objective standard of truth, how are we to know? 

The Republican Illinois delegation has returned from the Republican National Convention.  The Prairie State sent 69 delegates (including ten alternates) to Tampa.

On Thursday, August 30, the delegation heard Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney not only formally accept the nomination as the GOP’s presidential nominee, but they also heard him reintroduce his initial plans if elected into office.

“I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour.  President Obama began his presidency with an apology tour.  America, he said, had dictated to other nations.  No, Mr. President, America has freed other nations from dictators,” he said.  As Romney talked about making Obama a one-term president, he concluded:  “When somebody does not do the job, we gotta let ‘em go.”

First time delegate Janice Peterson of Gibson City, Illinois is excited about the next few months leading to the general election.

“I am backing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan one hundred percent,” said Peterson. “ I think we are going to win by a landslide this November.”

Peterson’s prediction could come true. While a recent poll conducted by Illinois-based pollster and political strategist Michael McKeon found Obama leading Republican Mitt Romney by 49 percent to 37 percent in Cook County, the home of Chicago, Romney has a sizable lead throughout the rest of the state.

Peterson, who said she is a person of Christian faith, acknowledged her involvement with the Tea Party and vowed to unseat President Obama when lawmakers passed the Affordable Care Act.

“The best thing we can do for the nation is left it up by praying to God,” said Peterson. “ I pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day. When we return to God this nation will turn around for good.”

Sterling, Illinois resident Kay Ferris also represented the state as a first time delegate. She returned from Tampa full of optimism and great hope for the future.

“We have good leadership in the Party,” said Ferris. “I am especially encouraged to hear our leaders talk about their faith and desire to see religious freedom.”

Like Peterson, Ferris also believes Obama can be defeated on his own turf.

“I was there before he was,” Ferris said enthusiastically. “We have a good grassroots effort going in our state. Many people who voted for him the first time realize they made a mistake. I think it will be harder for him this time.”

Dan Rutherford, former legislator and current Illinois State Treasurer who is also Mitt Romney’s Illinois campaign chair, led the delegation. Rutherford was questioned by some for accepting the sponsorship of a cocktail party paid for by Equality Illinois (EQ), a gay activist group in the state.

Rutherford said he wasn’t certain if the sponsorship would offend conservatives in the delegation. He told the Chicago-Sun Times, “They can go someplace else and drink.”

Once again so-called “moderate” Republicans are doing everything they can to coerce platform Republicans who care about those pesky immoderate issues like marriage, family, protecting the lives of the unborn, religious liberty, speech rights, and parental rights.

“Moderate” Republicans in cahoots with Democrats of all stripes mock, threaten, harass, harangue, and condescendingly scold those who think the “social” issues are at least as important as the economy and national defense.

Republican State Treasurer Dan Rutherford ominously warns that “If we allow abortion to define a good Republican from a bad Republican, we will be the party of the perpetual minority…  If we allow positions in regard to gay rights and in regards to guns to define good from bad, we will be the party of the perpetual minority.”

So, conservatives are supposed to take their marching orders from someone who doesn’t care about the inherent existential rights of the unborn; who doesn’t understand the relationship of marriage to the health of society; and who doesn’t care about the corruption of public education or the diminution of speech and religious liberty by homosexual activism?

What does Rutherford mean when he says that Republicans ought not allow abortion and “gay rights” to distinguish a good Republican from a bad Republican? Using clever rhetoric that plays on society’s increasing resistance to identifying things as good or bad, he conceals the real point:  The real argument he’s making is that the Republican Party should abandon its historic positions on issues related to abortion and homosexuality — positions that are both right and good.

And remember, this is the same man who in December 2010 said the following on the Illinois Senate floor:

For 2005, we had the Human Rights Act. And at that time, it was opposed by a lot of people…I voted for that bill because in my heart I truly believed it was the right thing to do and now we have this [Civil Union bill] before us today. This past year, as you all know I’ve been all over Illinois…and this legislation today it is opposed by some and it’s uncomfortable for some, but the one thing that I do know about the people of Illinois is that they want fairness. The people of Illinois, they don’t want discrimination. There’s gonna be much said about this legislation, I understand that. But one thing that I do know it’s the right thing to do. I will be voting yes on Senate Bill 1716. (emphasis added)

While in the Illinois Senate, Rutherford worked like the devil to push his “social issue” views, particularly on homosexuality, which he says was the “right thing to do.”  Logically, if legalizing civil unions is the right thing to do, wouldn’t opposition to legalizing civil unions be the wrong thing? And surely a good Republican ought not do the wrong thing. Therefore, isn’t Rutherford implying that being a good Republican means taking his position on the social issue of civil unions?

While out of one side of his mouth he claims that we shouldn’t allow “gay rights” to determine what a good Republican is, out of the other side he suggests incoherently that being a good Republican means holding Democratic views on issues related to homosexuality.

Clearly, Rutherford isn’t suggesting, like Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels did, that Republicans should call a truce on the social issues. Oh no, he’s going further. He’s calling for the Republican Party to adopt liberal positions on issues on which he holds liberal views.

I’ve never heard Democrats tell their party members to call a truce on the social issues, and I’ve never heard Democrats call for Democrats to jettison Democratic positions on the social issues. Perhaps Rutherford should switch parties and work to persuade Democrats to widen their tent to include fiscal and defense hawks. Perhaps he could suggest that they stop allowing fiscal and defense issues to distinguish good Democrats from bad Democrats.

Or here’s another proposal for Rutherford and his ilk:

How about you “moderate” Republicans who don’t see the importance and implications of the “social issues” just remain silent on them.  Limit your rhetoric and frenetic activity to the issues about which you care deeply. Let those with eyes to see tend to the social issues.

Stop trying to censor those who see that abortion, civil unions, “same-sex marriage,” same-sex adoption, hate crime laws, specious anti-bullying laws, ENDA, and comprehensive sex ed are slowly, incrementally, and profoundly damaging this great country and the principles upon which it was founded.

Stop pretending you’re trying to widen the tent when in reality you’re trying to shrink it.

Stop trying to define a good Republican as one who refuses to take positions on the “social” issues.

Governor Pat Quinn delivered his fiscal year 2013 budget address on Wednesday, February 22nd to the Illinois General Assembly. The governor said that the state’s “rendezvous with reality has arrived.” He contends the proposed budget provides stability through major reductions and efficiencies, pension and Medicaid stabilization, tax reform and jobs and economic growth.

“The truth is that over the past 35 years, too many governors and members of the General Assembly have clung to budget fantasies rather than confronting hard realities, especially when it comes to our pension and Medicaid investments,” Democratic Governor Quinn said. “Today I am proposing a budget that includes serious spending reductions and major reforms in order to restore fiscal stability to our state and build and grow our economy.”

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said, however, that Governor Quinn’s proposed budget does not contain the financial reforms needed to turn the state’s economy around.

“Governor Quinn’s matinee performance today was just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic,” said Brady. “Instead of reforming state spending and lowering taxes to gain more jobs, Governor Quinn’s budget continues to increase spending and has no strategic plan for bringing businesses and jobs back to Illinois that have been lost since he and his Democratic friends raised taxes 67 percent.”

Quinn said his 2013 budget of $24.8 billion, a 3.6 percent decrease, reduces discretionary spending to a point below 2008 levels.

Quinn also claims the state has realized close to $200 million in annual savings by reducing the number of state employees by more than 2,200 since January of 2009. The Governor announced in his plans to further reduce the state employee headcount by more than 700.

During his budget address to the General Assembly, Quinn called for:

• Increasing education funding;
• Closing or consolidating 63 state facilities;
• Trimming Medicaid spending by $2.7 billion;
• Restructuring the state’s pension systems.

Illinois Statehouse News reports among the 63 facilities that would close permanently, putting more than 1,400 state workers on the unemployment rolls.  State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) is most concerned about closing the Tamms Correctional Center.  “I don’t know where this governor is coming from. You can’t close facilities like Tamms. What are you going to do with these people? These are the worst of the worst,” Forby said.

Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, believes what Illinois needs is to reform spending and significantly pay down the billions in unpaid bills, “However, Gov. Quinn’s budget does just the opposite.”

Dabrowski notes the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 increases state spending by $212 million to $33.939 billion, up from $33.727 billion during fiscal year 2012. Of the $33.939 billion in spending, $162 million is going to pay down bills.

“While the governor finally recognized the state’s problems with stronger than usual rhetoric, he offered few concrete reforms to deal with that reality,” said Dabrowski.

The Illinois Policy Institute said in early March it will offer a plan that reforms Illinois’ budget and puts the state back on a path to prosperity.

State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said the governor’s proposal to cut billions from Medicaid is necessary, but she is quick to add that Quinn didn’t offer any ideas on how lawmakers should make such a huge cut.

“The devil is going to be in the details and we didn’t hear a lot of details,” Tracy said. “I am concerned. I think the pension has to be restructured just as Medicaid has to be restructured.  And if you note, Gov. Quinn didn’t talk about restructuring pension, he talked about stabilization.  It sounds like he’s pushing the problem off to local governments.”

We have recently been made aware of Governor Quinn’s decision to present a Pro-Choice Leadership Award at an upcoming event for a political organization known as Personal PAC. This organization describes itself as a “political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office in Illinois.” Personal PAC has raised and spent millions of dollars in this effort and supports the lobbying efforts of Planned Parenthood in Springfield.

We deeply regret the Governor’s decision to present this award, which so closely associates him with a political action group whose purpose is contrary to the common good. With this action, Governor Quinn has gone beyond a political alignment with those supporting the legal right to kill children in their mother’s wombs to rewarding those deemed most successful in this terrible work.

Pope John Paul II asked in his Letter to Families (1994), “How can one morally accept laws that permit the killing of a human being not yet born, but already alive in the mother’s womb?” Governor Quinn not only accepts these laws, he promotes them and publicly presents awards to their advocates. This approach is irreconcilable with any honest profession of the Catholic faith. While we deeply regret and oppose his actions, we continue to pray for his conversion and the protection of unborn human life.

To our Catholic institutions statewide, we reaffirm our desire and policies that those acting in the manner of the Governor should not be given special recognition on Church property or at functions held in support of Church ministry.

His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago

Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran
Bishop of Rockford

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop of Peoria

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton
Bishop of Belleville

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
Bishop of Springfield-in-Illinois

Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon
Bishop of Joliet

The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand an Illinois law requiring the observance of a moment of silence in Illinois public schools. The High Court declined to hear an appeal of a federal appeals court decision that upheld the law. Last year the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Illinois statute is titled the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act, but is known as the “Moment of Silence” law. It requires that each school day begin with a brief time for “silent prayer or silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.” The law stated that the time set aside “shall not be conducted as a religious exercise.”

The Seventh Circuit had ruled that the law did not amount to an endorsement of religion. Judge Daniel Manion, writing for the court, stated that the law did not advance nor inhibit any particular religion. Manion said there must be a legitimate secular reason for the law, and that the observance of silence satisfied a secular purpose.

The Illinois Family Institute, the Alliance Defense Fund and allied attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in October of 2009, in hopes that the court would uphold the “Moment of Silence.” IFI believes that this case is significant because while the law does not establish or endorse a particular religion, it does recognize students’ First Amendment rights to exercise — or not exercise — their religious liberties. Simply offering students a moment of silence for prayer or reflection each school day in appreciation of that sacred right should not create a constitutional crisis.

IFI’s Laurie Higgins agrees, saying “Illinois’ law is important because it makes clear to students that prayer is permissible, an idea that many students may not realize because of the pervasive cultural hostility to religion and the poor understanding that many Americans have about church-state relations. Many students may mistakenly believe that voluntary silent prayer is prohibited by law. Illinois’ law communicates that the state neither prescribes nor proscribes the content of private thoughts.”

The original lawsuit challenging the “Moment of Silence” law had been filed in 2007 by the Illinois ACLU against Buffalo Grove High School in suburban Chicago on behalf of Rob Sherman, a well known atheist activist and his high school daughter. Sherman was represented in his appeal to the Supreme Court by Michael Newdow, another atheist activist who has litigated numerous cases seeking to squelch religious expression in public settings.

The ACLU had argued that the law did have a “predominantly religious purpose,” and that it had the effect of “coercing children to pray in our public schools.” Sherman contended that the Illinois Legislature was “sabotaging public education” by imposing the “moment of silence” requirement.

Matthew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, believes the federal courts have made the right call. “A moment of silence does not endorse a religion contrary to the First Amendment. A moment of silence is just that — a moment for a person to pray or meditate or do nothing. They are not forcing anyone to pray or not to pray. It’s an accommodation of people who may choose to use this time for prayer.”

The subject of a “Moment of Silence” has a long history in Illinois. The Legislature first passed a law permitting the observance of a moment of silence in 1969. That law was amended in 2007 to make the “moment of silence” mandatory. Governor Rod Blagojevich vetoed it, but the Legislature overrode his veto.

The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Illinois law to stand is significant because it stands in contrast to a prior U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1985 known as Wallace v. Jaffree. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an Alabama law establishing a moment of silence in that state’s schools. The High Court decided that Alabama legislators did not have a secular purpose for their law, having declared that their objective was to return prayer to the public schools.

Judge Manion drew that distinction between the Alabama and Illinois statutes, saying that Illinois had “offered” a secular purpose for their law, namely, “establishing a period of silence…to calm the students and prepare them for a day of learning.” Illinois joins Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia in requiring a dedicated “moment of silence” at the beginning of the school day.

On Wednesday afternoon, State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) released a statement strongly objecting to what amounts to discrimination as the state of Illinois severs ties to another faith-based foster care adoption organization. This Friday, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) ends its contract with the Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA) of Wheaton. DCFS stopped referring cases to Catholic Charities of Illinois earlier this summer. The failure to renew these contracts is based upon what many believe is the interpretation of a new state law signed by Governor Patrick Quinn this year — the “Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act.”

The DCFS will soon begin to transition foster care cases handled by Catholic Charities and ECFA to other agencies because the respective organizations have policies against placing foster children in the homes of same sex couples or of those who are not Evangelical Christians.

“ECFA and Catholic Charities have a strong record with the State of Illinois of supporting children, building lives and empowering communities,” said Rep. Morrison. “These fine organizations, their loving parents, and the foster children they serve and protect will be torn from one another, however, due mainly to a political agenda that rejects a traditional view of marriage: that is, the union of one man and one woman.”

“This issue should really be about what’s best for the children, not the adults who are pushing a political agenda,” said Morrison. “A couple or an individual who seeks to care for foster children can find numerous other agencies to work with. This is not an issue of access,” Morrison continued.

Catholic Charities has appealed DCFS’ decision in federal court, and Rep. Morrison is endorsing the request for a “stay” of the judge’s order to transition foster children currently in Catholic Charities’ care to other agencies.

“During debate, the sponsors of this bill essentially stated that this law would not negatively impact faith-based agencies based on their conscience and beliefs” added Morrison. “Catholic Charities and ECFA handle thousands of foster care cases a year, and their respective agencies and parents are among the top performers in the state according to the DCFS’ own metrics.”

In downstate Illinois, Catholic Charities handles the majority of foster care cases and Rep. Morrison and others expressed concern that losing them as a state-contracted service provider means vulnerable children will have a much harder time in finding refuge.

Today, Catholic Social Services (CSS) of Southern Illinois, affiliated with the Diocese of Belleville, took legal action in Springfield, IL, joining Catholic Charities for the Dioceses of Springfield, Peoria, and Joliet in moving to be added to their lawsuit, filed in June, seeking injunctive relief against efforts by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) to halt the Catholic Charities’ social service agencies from any further participation in Illinois’ programs for foster care and adoption.

The four Catholic agencies are also moving to file a further amended & supplemental complaint, charging that the State not only has distorted the meaning of relevant Illinois statutes, including the recently effective “Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act,” ignoring that Act’s explicit exemption for “religious practice,” but also violated the Catholic agencies’ constitutional rights to due process of law, as guaranteed by Article I, Section 2, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, by purporting to terminate their rights to contract with the State of Illinois without any substantive basis in Illinois law, and without any reasonable prior notice or opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time or in a meaningful manner. The Catholic agencies are asking the Court for a declaration that they have been and continue to be in full compliance with Illinois law in their foster care and adoption practices, and they seek a permanent injunction against any further action by Illinois government officials to the contrary.

In recent years, the Catholic Charities social service agencies, including CSS of Southern Illinois, have been ranked at or near the top when measured against the performance of all other comparable Illinois agencies. Altogether the four Catholic social service agencies have 2,179 children in placement with foster families, and 1933 families under supervision. Roughly, they serve about a quarter of Illinois’ abandoned, abused, and neglected children, achieving the paramount goal of “permanency” in a remarkable number of cases and proving especially fruitful in recruiting new foster parents willing to care for needy kids.

The Charities’ lawsuit contends that state officials have ignored relevant laws protecting religious exercise and religious practice in condemning them for their conscientious objection to processing applications from unmarried couples who cohabit, whether they are same sex or opposite sex couples.

On July 12, Illinois Judge John Schmidt granted the three Illinois Catholic Charities a preliminary injunction, allowing them to continue their service in the best interest of Illinois children and families. At a subsequent hearing before Judge Schmidt on July 18, he ruled that DCFS must allow Catholic Charities to operate as it had before the fiscal year 2011 contract expired on June 30, directing DCFS to refer new cases to the agencies and allowing them to take foster parent applications according to their religious practice and be compensated with state funding for their work.

“In large areas of Southern Illinois outside of the ‘metro east’ areas we are usually only one of two providers. Within Illinois’ ‘metro east’ area near St. Louis, Catholic Social Services handles about 55% of the home relative referral opportunities,” said Gary Huelsmann, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois. “Eliminating CSS as a provider will disserve the best interest of the many children we serve and will deny vital choices for foster parents and children as to where and by whom they will be served.”

“In June of 2006 the State had 15,917 children in Substitute Care (Foster Care and Group Homes). By June of 2011 it had 15,413 children in care. During the same five-year period, CSS of Southern Illinois has managed to increase the scope and size of its foster care program by 57%,” said Tom Brejcha of the Thomas More Society, which is representing the charities in the lawsuit. “Why would the State of Illinois want to go out of its way to inflict this harm on children and families, putting out of business a vital network of charitable social agencies that have achieved the greatest success and growth rate in serving our state’s most precious and valuable assets, our children? And why does it read religious exemptions out of the law?”

Court documents are available at this link.

To schedule an interview with an attorney from the Thomas More Society, please contact Tom Ciesielka at 312-422-1333 or tc@tcpr.net.

About the Thomas More Society

Formed in 1997, the Thomas More Society is a national public interest law firm based in Chicago. The Society defends religious liberty, marriage, and the sanctity of human life in courtrooms across the country. For more information, please visit Thomas More Society.

via Thomas More Society

On Monday, June 27th, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was found guilty on 17 counts of corruption, including charges related to trying to sell or trade the Illinois U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. The jury found him not guilty on one count and deadlocked on two other counts.

It is more than apparent to those of us who closely watch the political scene here in Illinois that there are problems regarding not only politicians, but Illinois government which go far beyond the impeachment, trial and conviction of Rod Blagojevich. Character matters. From Dan Walker to Otto Kerner to George Ryan who is now serving time in a federal prison, corruption seems to be an ingrained part of politics and government business in the state of Illinois. It must be rooted out.

As Christians, our first reaction to Rod Blagojevich’s conviction should be to pray for his young daughters and the devastation of knowing their father is headed to prison. We also need to keep the former governor in prayer, as it would appear that the Lord is humbling and chastening Rod Blagojevich, despite the fact that the former governor continues to proclaim his innocence and repeat the line the he “did nothing wrong.” The question is, when will he heed the call to repent? We need to pray that Rod would seek to draw closer to God and His Truth through this sad experience and the hard times ahead.

Though he did wrong, the staff and board of directors at IFI will pray that God will come into his life and he will accept the forgiveness He made available to all of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope and pray that this experience will help bring an end to systemic corruption which permeates Illinois politics.

With five of the last nine Illinois governors having been indicted on charges of corruption, one has to wonder if Blagojevich’s impeachment and conviction will influence Illinois politics for good, or if the “Chicago Way” will continue to operate as usual.

How did they vote?

SB 744 — the bill to expand gambling with casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Park City and South Suburbs as well as video slot machines at racetracks and in Chicago Airports — now moves to the governor’s desk.

This afternoon, the Illinois Senate passed SB 744 by a vote of 30 to 27 (with two voting present) to pass SB 744. Look at the official voting record of how your state senator voted: click HERE to download it. (Click HERE to see how your state represenative voted on this pro-casino gambling bill.)

This predatory gambling expansion bill was sponsored in the Illinois Senate by State Senators Terry Link (D-Lincolnshire), Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Donne Trotter (D-Chicago).

State Senator Tim Bivins (R-Dixon) was the only lawmaker from either chamber to speak out against SB 744 in defense of families and common sense. Too many “conservative” lawmakers chose instead to be concerned about the gambling interests within their districts rather the serving the best interests of the families of Illinois.

It is disturbing to note that 6 Republican state senators and 21 Republican state representatives voted in favor of this massive anti-family gambling bill despite the fact that the Illinois Republican Platform identifies gambling as being harmful to “Illinois’ families and our state’s business climate.”

Take ACTION: Contact Governor Patrick Quinn today to ask them to VETO SB 744.

You can also call the Governor’s office toll free at (800) 642-3112.

How did they vote?

SB 744 — the massive gambling bill that adds 5 new casinos and creates 6 new racinos — now moves to the Illinois Senate. Please take a moment to tell your state senator to oppose this bill.

This afternoon, the Illinois House passed SB 744 by a vote of 65 to 50 (with two voting present) to pass SB 744. Look at the official voting record of how your state representative voted:  click HERE to download it.

This anti-family and predatory gambling expansion bill was sponsored in the Illinois House by State Representatives Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Roger L. Eddy (R-Hutsonville), Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights),Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan), Jim Sacia (R-Freeport), Raymond Poe (R-Raymond Poe), Chad Hays (R-Danville) and Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago).

Not one Illinois state lawmaker spoke out to defend the interests of families in Illinois. This bill now moves to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

Take ACTION:  Contact your state senator and to Governor Patrick Quinn today to ask them to oppose the passage of SB 744.

We need a flood of calls, emails and faxes today and tomorrow if we hope to stop this bill from passing in the Illinois Senate. Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask to be transferred to your state senator to urge him/her to vote against SB 744.

How did they vote?

HB 3027 — the “comprehensive” sex education bill now moves to the Illinois House. Please take a moment to tell your state representative to oppose this bill.
This afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 30 to 28 (with one voting present) to pass HB 3027.  See the official voting record of how your state senator voted by  clicking HERE to download it.

HB 3027 is completely unnecessary and an intrusion into local control. Public schools in Illinois already have the ability to teach “comprehensive” sex education if they wish. Local public school administrators do not need a mandate from Springfield telling them they must teach comprehensive sex education when the preponderance of evidence suggests that authentic abstinence education is successful.

Take ACTION: Send an email or a fax to your state representative today to ask him/her to vote NO to HB 3027.

We need a flood of calls, emails and faxes today and tomorrow if we hope to stop this bill from passing in the Illinois House. Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask to be transferred to your state representative to urge him/her to vote against HB 3027.

Please take a few minutes NOW to contact your state representative: Message: Oppose HB 3027 to ensure that students in our taxpayer funded schools are not needlessly subjected to “comprehensive” or “Abstinence Plus” sex education that emphasize and encourage contraception use, rather than abstinence.

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. Authentic abstinence education programs provide youth with life and character skills, not condom skills. Sexual activity among youth is far too costly for adolescents, families, society and taxpayers.

Passing HB 3027 would mandate the teaching of curricula that most parents and taxpayers would find objectionable. Please take a moment to contact your state senator to urge him/her to stand in opposition to this bill.

How did they vote?

For the second time this year — and the first time during this new legislative session — the Illinois House of Representatives rejected a bill to legalize “medical” marijuana, this time by a vote of 53 YES and 61 NO with 4 voting “present.”

Representatives Patti Bellock (R-Westmont), Jim Sacia (R-Freeport) and Rich Morthland (R-Moline) did a fantastic job speaking out against this bill on the House floor during debate. Click HERE to watch Rep. Morthland’s floor comments against HB 30.

Representatives Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield) spoke in favor of HB 30. This bill is also co-sponsored by Representatives Angelo Saviano (R-Elmwood Park), Ann Williams (D-Chicago), Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), and Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago).

YOU did it! Thanks in part to your calls, emails and faxes, this bill has been defeated! It also must be noted that the Illinois law enforcement community strongly opposed HB 30. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline, along with the president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the president of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and other key law enforcement officials pleaded with legislators to vote against this anti-family bill.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) asked that HB 30 be put on “postponed consideration,” which means that he can attempt another vote on it in the next few days or weeks — so please stay tuned. More importantly, if you haven’t yet communicated with your state representative regarding this anti-family policy, please call them today in Springfield via the switchboard at (217) 782-2000.

Click HERE to look at the roll call of the unofficial record of how your state representative voted. Please consider calling the offices of the seven who voted “present” and those who voted “yea” to encourage them to oppose HB 30. They are listed below. Ask them to support the law enforcement community by opposing this legislation.

How did they vote?

As I reported in my email update yesterday, HB 3156, sponsored by State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) fell just 3 votes short of passage on Wednesday, but may get another vote today or Friday. The bill received 57 “yea” votes, 51 “nay” votes with 7 voting “present.”

This bill would amend the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act to require abortion clinics that perform more than 50 abortions a year to meet basic safety regulations similar to other outpatient treatment centers. (See the original IFI E-Alert HERE.)

Look at the picture below to see the unofficial record of how your state representative voted. Please consider calling the offices of the seven who voted “present” and those who voted “nay” to encourage them to support HB 3156. They are listed below. Ask them to ensure abortion clinics are held to the highest health standard. This is about safety protections for women.

Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park)
(217) 782-0515

Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora)
(217) 558-1002

Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukeegan)
(217) 558-1012

Rep. Michael J. Zalewsk (D-Summit)
(217) 782-5280

Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago)
(217) 782-8077

Rep. Andre M. Thapedi (D-Chicago)
(217) 782-1702

Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago)
(217) 782-5350

Take ACTION: We need a flood of calls, emails and faxes today and tomorrow — especially in the districts identified above if we hope to secure the 60 votes needed to pass this bill onto the Illinois Senate. Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask to be transferred to your state representative to urge him/her to vote in favor of HB 3156. Or you can click HERE to send an email or a fax to your state representative.

This bill would amend the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act to require abortion clinics that perform more than 50 abortions a year to meet basic safety regulations similar to other outpatient treatment centers.

Please take a few minutes NOW to contact your State Representative: Message: Support HB-3156 to ensure abortion clinics are held to the highest safety standards. Are women considered less worthy of safety protections?

To learn more, please make sure you read IFI’s Laurie Higgins’ article on this unbelievable controversy: Quinn Nominates Morally Bankrupt Activist to the Human Rights Commission

Take ACTION: Send an email or a fax to Governor Quinn to tell him how deeply offensive it is to know that he would appoint a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual campaign contributor to the Human Rights Commission.