You may have seen political ads on television warning of pending budget cuts targeting services like homecare for senior citizens and assistance to the physically or mentally handicapped in Illinois.  There has also been an intensive phone campaign warning Illinois citizens of falling state revenue and a budget deficit which will impact the most needy in the state.

The bottom line of this political outreach is meant to frighten the public.  The resolution of all Illinois’ fiscal woes would, supposedly, be solved by raising taxes.  Now, the television ads do not call for the public’s support of increased taxation because calling for higher taxes is truly the third rail in today’s political world.  However, households in some legislative districts have received calls — from advocacy groups, supposedly not affiliated with any political party — stating services to the elderly will be cut unless taxes are raised.

“The sky is falling” mantra is designed to give the impression specific services would be cut in the fiscal year 2010 state budget unless the public agrees with the need for higher taxes.  As in all things, there is a modicum of truth in what also may be considered a campaign of deception.

Illinois, like most states, does have a budget deficit.  There is a debate over how many billions of dollars are needed to balance the state budget, therefore, getting into the minutiae of Illinois’ cash shortfall should not be important in this discussion.  But if substantial cuts are necessary regarding state fiscal shortcomings, state Rep. David Reis (R-Olney) has an excellent idea where to begin cutting.

A bill (HR 417) introduced by Rep. Reis calls for state funding of Planned Parenthood to be discontinued.  An official summary of the text of HR 417 reads:

“be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Sixth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that the State of Illinois discontinue State funding of Planned Parenthood and to more prudently spend our precious tax dollars by helping to pay our current healthcare obligations and to provide healthcare for all Illinoisans.”

If the Illinois General Assembly took Reis’ legislation seriously, Illinois taxpayers would save an estimated $25 million over the next five years, based on past allocations to America’s largest abortion provider.

Drastic budget cuts in vital services to the elderly and handicapped are necessary.  The fact of the matter is there will be a need to trim discretionary spending which, in some cases, is wasteful or politically motivated.  In fiscal year 2007, Planned Parenthood brought in $1.0179 billion in gross revenue.  This hardly sounds like an organization that needs to be subsidized by the tax-paying public.

But the moral component regarding taxpayer funding of the nation’s leading abortion provider cannot be denied.  Why should a majority of Americans who consider themselves pro-life, according to recent polling, be forced to fill the bulging coffers of an entity which ends the lives of innocent unborn?

There are those who would rather not bring the moral questions about the subject of abortion into the discussion surrounding the allocation of state funds.  Yet ignoring the moral debate over abortion would be akin to the old adage regarding not seeing the elephant sitting in the corner of a room.  And with many suffering because of an economy in recession, the debate over public-funding of abortion is even more relevant.

Here is an interesting suggestion for those in favor of increasing taxes so that Planned Parenthood can continue receiving its multi-million dollar stipend from Illinois taxpayers.  How about an ad on television warning the public the state funding of abortion might end if taxes are not increased?  How about a phone campaign directing the public to call their state legislators requesting more millions be stuffed into the pockets of those who provide abortions, including abortions for teenagers without parental consent?  Of course, such an ad and phone outreach campaign would fly like a lead balloon and, fortunately for pro-abortion legislators, the public does not use line-item scrutiny when it comes to where their taxes have gone in the past and where they will go in the future.

Reis’ bill makes perfect sense, both from a moral and fiscal standpoint, whether one buys into “the sky is falling” premise or not.  Should Illinois taxpayers be funding Planned Parenthood?  Let’s hope common sense is used in the resolution of this question.

Illinois lawmakers will be working on the state budget this week. An income tax hike is still being promoted by Gov. Quinn.

At a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 25, Congressman Mark Kirk attempted to justify “hate crimes” legislation (H.R. 1913) by summoning up the specter of the genocide in Bosnia, and in so doing perpetuated the erroneous claim that homosexuality is analogous to race or ethnicity. In addition, he failed to address the ethical problem of requiring that certain groups be treated unequally before the law; he failed miserably to justify government intrusion into the thought lives of Americans; and he failed to address the likely possibility of hate crimes legislation being used to undermine speech and religious rights.

This proposed legislation, which would designate homosexuals and cross-dressers as protected minority groups, advances the frightening notion that the force of government should be used to coerce and control thoughts. The acts that would be covered by hate crimes legislation are already illegal, punishable, and punished. This legislation does not make illegal any acts that are currently legal. Rather, this legislation would enhance or intensify punishment based on the thoughts, beliefs, or feelings of the perpetrator. This act would require the government to do what no legitimate government has the right or moral authority to do: invade the thought lives of citizens.

It would also have the pernicious result of requiring that members of particular designated groups be treated unequally before the law. Homosexuals and cross-dressers, who are defined centrally by volitional behavior, would have a special status legally conferred on them.

Kirk laughably uses Bosnia as justification for the need for hate crimes legislation which would enable the Federal government to intervene when a “suburban police department” is “immediately overwhelmed” by “political, radical groups” who “stigmatize and attack a community to divide it” in order to “trigger . . . mini-civil wars.” There are a number of problems with the argument which he attempts to conceal through the flames of overheated rhetoric.

First, hate crimes legislation is not needed to provide suburban police departments that become overwhelmed by “mini-civil wars” with the resources necessary to quell such armed and radical civil unrest. Help would come from neighboring communities, state resources, the National Guard, and even the Federal government. Second, is he actually suggesting that radical, political groups will trigger a civil war against homosexuals and cross-dressers?

Has anyone asked Kirk why homosexuality and cross-dressing should be included with conditions that are immutable and carry no behavioral implications like race and sex? Has anyone asked Kirk if he believes it’s morally acceptable to state publicly that homosexual acts are disordered and destructive-which is a fundamental tenet of Orthodox Judaism; historical, orthodox Christianity; and Islam? Has anyone asked Kirk if he sees any potential dangers in the government evaluating the thoughts of even criminals? These questions are essential to this debate.

Kirk also employs the strained argument that hate crimes are “designed to rip a multi-culture community apart.” All crimes rip communities apart. That is why societies pass laws against, for example, assault, rape, and murder. But, if a rapist hates women, is his crime more offensive than the crime of a rapist who wasn’t motivated by hatred of women? Should the penalties be harsher for the hater of women than for the rapist who harbored other motivations?

When supporters of hate crimes legislation claim that hate crimes require harsher penalties because such crimes send a message of intimidation to a class of people, are they suggesting that the government should be concerned with whether the perpetrator intended to send a message to a segment of the population or just whether the criminal act had a certain effect on a population. If the government is supposed to be concerned with whether the perpetrator intended to send a message, will law enforcement officials now have to discern not just the “hateful” beliefs but the message-sending goals of the perpetrator?

If, on the other hand, the government is supposed to be concerned not with whether the perpetrator intended to send a message of intimidation, but rather whether his criminal act had that effect, how will the government determine that effect? Are law enforcement officials going to survey the local sub-group of people to determine if they are intimidated?

When Kirk refers to “a crime of a particular nature,” he tries to gloss over or obfuscate the deeply troubling “thought” part of the hate crimes legislation. When he uses the word “crime” he is drawing particular attention to the legitimate part: a criminal action — which, of course, is already illegal. When, however, he uses the evasive, obfuscatory phrase “of a particular nature,” he’s referring to the illegitimate part of the legislation: the thoughts or feelings of the perpetrator. Kirk cleverly avoids the troubling dimensions of this legislation through the manipulation of his rhetoric.

Moreover, Kirk completely ignores the fact that there are numerous incidences in this country and Canada in which people have been charged and convicted, either by courts, “human rights commissions,” or “human rights tribunals” of violating hate crimes policies or laws for merely expressing publicly the conviction that homosexual acts are profoundly immoral. Everyone who is familiar with this legislation knows that the groups most ardently working for its passage are organizations dedicated to undermining conservative beliefs on the nature and morality of homosexuality. This is a cause near and dear to Mark Kirk’s heart as evidenced by his 75 percent approval rating by the “largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization,” the Human Rights Campaign.

All of civilized society deplores both violence and hatred. All of civilized society deplores criminal acts generated by prejudice. But all of civilized society should view as inviolable the thoughts — even the reprehensible, indefensible, hate-filled thoughts — of individuals. No matter how offensive we as a society deem the thoughts, beliefs, or feelings of particular individuals, their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings should be off-limits to the government. Government has the right to legislate actions and actions only. If this legislation is passed, we will cede to a rapacious government, with a seemingly insatiable appetite for control over the lives of Americans, a dimension of human experience that only the most repressive regimes seek: liberty of individual conscience. What areas remain untouched by governmental regulation once we relinquish our thoughts?

As people analyze this dangerous legislation, they need to bear in mind that the conservative beliefs that homosexual acts are profoundly disordered and destructive of the common good are viewed by virtually all homosexual activist organizations as hateful.

Here we go again! Our Springfield lawmakers are poised to push for a higher and more “progressive” personal income tax to deal with the state’s debt.

Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn has only been in office for six weeks but is already pushing a plan to raise Illinois’ income taxes. Also, it has been reported that the governor in his first budget address Wednesday, will ask that the annual license plate sticker fee be raised by $20 per year, up from the current $78.

Take ACTION; Click HERE to ask the governor and your state lawmakers to vote against any legislative proposal that would increase any tax burden for Illinois citizens.

State Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) has proposed raising the gasoline tax by 19-cents-a-gallon. Despite the fact that most Americans struggled with paying the $4-a-gallon price for gas last year, Cullerton notes the tax hasn’t been raised in years and would help reduce pollution. Another Springfield proposal calls for raising the tax by 8 cents-a-gallon.

In the midst of this current economic recession and the record high, anti-family tax levels in Chicago and Cook County — lawmakers must realize that they cannot “squeeze blood from a turnip.”

Instead of raising taxes, Illinois leaders must cut wasteful spending and roll back the regulations and taxes that stand in the way of real, long term growth. Making Illinois a place where people want to do business and can afford to raise a family will do more for the bottom line than increasing the tax burden on Illinois citizens.

Watch the following 8 minute clip from Fox News Chicago in which Gov. Quinn and State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) are interviewed about the state budget and higher taxes.

“He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man… The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.” ~ Samuel Adams ~

As the entire country knows, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI early on Tuesday morning on corruption charges. To say that Rod Blagojevich violated the public trust would be to trivialize what he has purportedly done. 

The revelations contained in the complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office have stunned a city and state long inured to political corruption. Perhaps the breathtaking degree of the corruption is the knock upside the head Illinoisans need to awaken them from their moral slumber. And perhaps this breathtaking corruption is the painful price we have to pay for our willful ignorance and the complacency it facilitates.

Too many of us fail to exercise properly our civil liberties and civic responsibilities. The freedoms we have in this country, the freedoms that people throughout the world can only through fear and tears dream about, we treat with cavalier disregard. If we even muster the energy to vote, we often do so with little to no understanding of the character and political positions of the candidates for whom we vote. 

According to one study the average American adult watches five hours of television per day, and yet we can’t seem to find the time to learn about the men and women who make laws and set policy that will determine the fate of America.

Let’s learn from the alleged despicable actions of Rod Blagojevich never to be complicit through either our ignorance or our complacency in the election of someone of such base character.

In an effort to fund mass transit, Springfield lawmakers passed legislation yesterday that would increase Chicago regional sales taxes.

The bill raises the sales tax in DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties by 0.5 percent. It would also increase the real estate transfer tax in Chicago. According to the Daily Herald, the sales tax increase adds 25 cents to a $100 purchase.

Governor Rod Blagojevich will sign the bill, but plans to amend the transit bill by requiring free bus and train rides to senior citizens. If he does that, the bill will have to once again be approved by the General Assembly.

Listed below are the recorded votes of the Illinois General Assembly on this bill. The first chart lists the votes of our State Senators — who voted 30 to 25 to pass the tax increase (you can also download it by clicking HERE). The second chart lists the votes of our State Representatives — who voted 62 to 51 to pass the tax increase (you can also download it by clicking HERE).

On November 4th Illinois voters will be asked to decide whether Illinois should convene a state constitutional convention.

According to our 1970 Illinois Constitution, every twenty years the state is required to ask voters whether or not they want to call for a constitutional convention to rewrite or amend the Illinois Constitution. This is one of the years in which voters will determine whether Illinois will reevaluate the state’s constitution.

While there are a number of potential benefits to a constitutional convention, the potential costs are far too high. If held right now, a constitutional convention would likely result in a much more liberal state constitution.

Therefore, we strongly urge a “no” vote on the question of calling for a constitutional convention.

If a constitutional convention were to be approved, the delegates to that convention, who would be responsible for amending or re-writing the constitution, would have to be elected by state senatorial districts — two for each district, with a total of 118 delegates. Therefore, the current state power structure would have great influence in determining who serve as delegates. A look at recent dysfunctional legislative sessions reveals the types of proposals and revisions that would likely be offered during a constitutional convention.

Some of the constitutional changes that could emerge from a convention would be devastating to the family and traditional values. For example, over the past 30 years, liberal legislators have attempted to add the “Equal Rights Amendment” (ERA) to the Illinois Constitution, which would mandate state funding of elective abortions and lead to legalized same-sex marriage. So far, pro-life and pro-family forces have been successful in preventing the passage of the ERA. A constitutional convention would provide an opportunity to anti-life and anti-family forces to add ERA language to our state constitution.

Another amendment that would likely be proposed would be a version of the “Freedom of Choice” bill that would write a mythical “right to abortion” into the Illinois Constitution — invalidating every restriction on the abortion of an unborn child, even those previously found by the United States Supreme Court to be consistent with Roe v. Wade, such as parental notification laws, waiting periods, requirements of full disclosure of the physical and emotional risks inherent in abortion, and restrictions on certain late-term abortion techniques.

Although a constitutional convention does provide an opportunity to solve some very real problems, the requisite changes are unlikely to be passed given the current composition of the political leadership of Illinois.

Before we seriously consider reworking the Illinois Constitution, we must change our political landscape through elections. Until we make that necessary change, we recommend a “no” vote on the constitutional convention.

Important Facts

• In 1988 the electors rejected the call for a constitutional convention, with 75 percent voting against convening a convention. 
   
• A constitutional convention could cost taxpayers between $30 and $90 million.
   
• The constitutional convention question requires a 60 percent vote for passage. 
   
• Once convened, the convention can amend or completely rewrite the Illinois Constitution. 
   
• The proposed constitution must come back to state voters for approval by simple majority between two to six months after the convention adjourns.

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You can become a Sustaining Member with automatic monthly deductions from your checking account or credit card. Click HERE to access the Sustaining Member form. Your gift will go even further than ever because: 

If you live in Cook County or nearby, you’re likely to have heard the uproar of business owners and taxpayers who are facing a sales tax increase in order to fill a massive county budget gap. On the county’s boundaries, electronic stores will face huge hits when everyone gets from the feds their $600 per person to jumpstart the struggling economy.

After the sales tax goes into effect, a married couple with $1200 to spend on a new washer, refrigerator, laptop, digital TV, DVD player or whatever will face a choice. They could spend that $1200 at a Cook County Best Buy, where they will pay $108.00 in sales tax. Or they can choose a Best Buy on the northside of Lake-Cook Road, and pay $93 in taxes.

Think it doesn’t matter? For that additional $15.00, they could pick up a DVD for their kids to watch on the new TV. Multiply that scenario by thousands, hundreds of thousands, and see if it doesn’t matter to Cook County Best Buys’ bottom lines.

And what about that struggling mom and pop appliance store in Cook County that can’t buy the same quantity as the big box Best Buys? They need to start out charging more for each item. Sure, customers think, I can trust what my neighbor Joe says about what I should buy, but gosh, he’s charging me $50 more than Best Buy and I’ll pay almost 10 percent in sales tax. The better deal, he’ll think, is to head again for the Lake County Best Buy.

Add the 9% Cook County sales tax to local property taxes, the state’s business fees, income taxes, and recently-hiked CTA sales taxes, possible federal tax increases, and yes, Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s proposed international Global Poverty tax, and well, there’s not much reason left for anyone to own a business in Cook County.

And if you think that’s bad, the City of Chicago’s sales tax – because of the Cook County 1 percent increase – now holds the dubious title of being the nation’s highest sales tax – 10.35 percent– more than what the Lord Himself requires – a tenth, a “tithe” of how He prospers us.

When Chicago hit that all time high last month, the tax rates dripped irony. In the Old Testament, God told His people to bring their tithes into the storehouse, and if they did, He would bless them. He actually challenged them to test Him, the Sovereign God, and He would be faithful to those who trusted Him with ten percent of their income.

Imagine that – the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, who sustains our being and gives us life and allows us to function on the Earth asks us to trust Him and prove Him with ten percent of our income.

Cook County President Todd Stroger takes a different approach. He strips away the option of voluntary donations by forcing store owners to confiscate taxes for him and requiring them to send in those dollars or face serious ramifications for not obeying Cook County business laws.

Those tax dollars, President Stroger tells us, are to help the needy, elderly, and ill who are unable to provide their own needs. What he doesn’t say is that they also provide jobs for friends and family of Cook County insiders – another way, supposedly, to prop up the sagging employment rate in Illinois.

But President Stroger bravely issues these edicts because he is buffered from direct accountability since Cook County residents have given up resisting elected officials who escape being ousted– compliments of a corrupt, incestuous, unchallenged political system.

Such a perverted system would not be allowed to exist in today’s local church settings. Corrupt pastors and church leaders are soon ousted by passionate, concerned church members who will not tolerate their tithes being used for unapproved expenditures. Not to mention the Master to whom those pastors and church leaders are ultimately accountable.

So where does that leave Christians who are compelled to voluntarily honor God with their firstfruits and required by law to obey the county tax laws?

Obviously, with a whole lot less with which to work. We’re now approaching 20 percent of our income going to God first, and Cook County President Stroger second. After we add in local property taxes, state income taxes and fees, federal taxes, we’re nearing having only half of what we earn left to our direction.

And where do families cut corners? Sadly, it’s often with that mere ten percent required by the Lord. The church, which provides health care for the spiritual lives of its congregants, emotional and emergency financial support for those in dire need, caring assistance to elderly church members needing rides and sometimes just a friend to visit, social networks for misguided and lonely teens, hope and direction for eternity, is shorted due to local rulers’ demands.

“Will a man rob God?” Old Testament Malachi asked. “Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.”

The dilemma every Christian family faces only grows in intensity each time any government tax increases.

Should Christians be concerned about the Cook County tax increase? Without a doubt. It’s not that we’re not willing to contribute to the community, it’s that we deserve the right to say how what God has blessed us with is being spent. We’re accountable for its use.

God says if we trust Him with our ten percent, he will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. He’s one trustworthy Sovereign Ruler who has never increased His rates nor abused what we give back.

Think about it on Sunday when the offering plate passes by.

In like a lion…out like a lamb. That’s March. It could also be said of the recent history of Illinois governors. In like a lion, roaring about what they’re going to do…out like a lamb–handcuffed and led off to jail.

Only time will tell whether or not Blagojevich will follow his predecessor with criminal charges, but his handling of state funds is criminal enough. Like our Illinois weather, our governor has been boisterous and defiant of common sense.

In 2006, the historic Pilgrim Baptist church was destroyed by a fire. In the midst of the tragedy, Governor Blagojevich, moved by the devastation, reached deep into his pocket and pledged $1 million dollars to have the church restored.

No, wait. He reached into taxpayer’s pockets and pulled out a million bucks, that’s right. Don’t worry, he says he didn’t think it was earmarked for anything else.

Blagojevich was very careful to make sure the funds did not end up in the offering basket, which could be considered a violation of church and state. Instead the money was promised only to rebuild administrative offices and classrooms.

But, a funny thing happened on the way to church one day. The money “went to the wrong place” – go figure.

Instead of resurrecting the historic building, the funds went to the church’s tenant, Loop Lab School. The school rented classroom space as a preschool.

Loop Lab School took the money and ran-went shopping for a condo. The church hasn’t heard from them since.

Guess who was off the hook? Afterall, he kept his promise; he gave someone a million dollars to rebuild private property– and even went over the lawmakers heads to do it. What more could you want?

Actually, another million please. The church wanted him to make good on his promise, so, after some pressure, he found yet another mill to promise them. (Although the church says they haven’t seen a dime.)

This is becoming quite a habit with the governor. After the Northern Illinois University shooting, big brother stepped up to the podium again. The plan and the promise: $40 million tax dollars pledged to demolish and then rebuild Cole Hall, the building where the tragedy occurred.

Makes you wonder if there is money laying around loose in a drawer somewhere in Springfield.

According to the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA), after adjusting for inflation, several state programs will be cut in FY 2009, “including K-12 and higher education, the department of agriculture…”

Considering that our schools are flourishing (especially down state), colleges can run on alcohol alone, and farmers can always go back to plowing with horses when diesel fuel hits the five dollar a gallon mark, this shouldn’t be a problem.

In the same report, the CTBA also says that revenue is going to be up $448 million. The bad news is that thing called inflation, which is going to create a deficit of $752 million.

The popular political speech the governor likes to use always brings in mom and dad sitting at the table trying to balance the tight household budget, falling behind. They always seem to paint that picture as they introduce more government spending and yet another program to help working families.

Let’s turn that one around. What working family do you know that can run their check book $752 million in the hole, owe $3.4 billion more in unpaid medical bills, but has money that’s not “earmarked” for anything, to give away…just to be nice.

Looks to me like Rod Blagojevich has a political version of a desperate housewives’ financial system; also known as shopping therapy.

It goes something like this: the money is gone, the budget shot, and everyone starts talking about belt tightening.

So what does he do? Buy a new belt, with shoes to match. Nothing ever changes or gets fixed, but he sure does look good.

So, how did Illinois’ earliest primary ever fare for the state’s values voters?

Just as those post-Exodus spies sent into the Promised Land fourteen centuries ago reported back about Canaanite activity, today’s answer would be, “Well folks, there’s good news and there’s bad . . .” Indeed, those spies’ reports reflected their worldviews: one of big hope or of little faith.

The same is true for Illinois values voters’ post-February 5. For those values voters who’ve been praying for the Land of Lincoln to become a land of milk and honey for family values, the “giants-in-the-land” initial report would ring true because there’s plenty of discouraging news.

For every Illinois voter who pulled a Republican ballot that day, 2.2 others voted in the Democratic primary for one of three presidential candidates advocating unrestricted abortion, unencumbered homosexual rights and more government power over our healthcare and education systems — all paid for with our families’ hard-earned incomes.

Such overwhelming enthusiasm among primary voters for anti-family candidates does not bode well for General Election projections. Those numbers indicate either pro-family values voters did not eagerly support a presidential candidate or that the number of Illinois voters concerned about traditional family values has drastically dropped.

Either scenario is bad news for candidates down the ticket. When values voters stay at home to protest candidates at the top, all those pro-family, pro-life candidates running for state and local positions suffer. Some Illinois election analysts spin February 5th results to say value voters may be content with the state’s current public policy. That’s hard to believe, but the numbers make that argument compelling.

Others say primary elections are not a good indicator of where values voters are. Values voters are more issue-oriented, and often are uncomfortable declaring a party affiliation as Illinois primaries require. Nevertheless, missing traditional values votes in the Illinois primary will have a substantial effect on the state’s policy direction.

For instance, pro-family forces missed the opportunity to build the General Assembly’s conservative caucus by replacing two socially-liberal Republican House members with pro-family candidates.

With the financial backing of rabid pro-abortion Personal PAC, Yorkville’s Kay Hatcher won the right to succeed State Rep. Patricia Lindner (R-Sugar Grove) in a four-way race. Elk Grove Village’s Christine Brochno won with the backing of her retiring predecessor, pro-abortion advocate State Rep. Carolyn Krause.

Not only were abortion forces emboldened in the primary, so was the radical homosexual movement. Chicago Alderman Dick Mell’s daughter and Governor Rod Blagojevich’s sister-in-law, Deborah Mell, won the February 5th Democratic 40th House District primary and remains unchallenged by a Republican in the fall. Ms. Mell will be the Illinois House’s first openly-practicing lesbian, and will be joining gay rights-promoting colleague State Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago’s 13th House District to strengthen the gay rights agenda.

But just as Promised Land spies Joshua and Caleb conveyed to their leader Moses, much of our expectations depends on our perspective and our commitment to what can be done. What caused “little faith” spies to fear as “grasshoppers,” caused “big hope” leaders like Joshua and Caleb to perceive limitless opportunity ahead.

It’s not easy to hope for dramatic change in a state that undermines God-given rights to life, property ownership, individual freedom and prosperity for our heritage. It will not be handed over to us without a struggle.

In order to gain victory, the Israelites would have to engage in battle to conquer the Promised Land for their people. Values voters must engage if they hope to regain lost family values in Illinois.

The good news is that in the 14th U.S. Congressional District, a majority of primary voters chose to nominate a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage candidate to succeed former House Speaker Denny Hastert. Aurora dairyman Jim Oberweis will face off against Bill Foster as soon as Saturday March 8th, when a special election will be held to immediately fill Hastert’s vacancy.

Two other U.S. Congressional seats have strong chances of remaining pro-life this fall: local police chief and New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann will vie against Crete’s pro-abortion, EMILY’s List-backed State Senator Debbie Halvorson to succeed U.S. Congressman Jerry Weller. In addition, consistent pro-life vote State Rep. Aaron Schock has a good chance to succeed retiring U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood in central Illinois’ 18th Congressional District.

At the state level, several pro-family challengers are on the political horizon, raising the hopes of increasing the number of General Assembly conservatives. Once again, these candidates will be anxiously looking for grassroots support and financial backing to fight an uphill battle in an election year that may lean heavily pro-abortion and anti-family at the top of the ticket. Values voters can make all the difference in these important elections.

Illinois political insiders concerned about family values are bracing for the worse in the fall with the strong possibility of sudden political “giant” U.S. Senator Barack Obama topping the General Election ballot. Values voters — who, for the most part, are not enamored with the emerging Republican nominee — are mulling the possibility of “sending a message” by staying home, leaving pro-life down-ticket candidates hanging in the wind. Staying home would have serious political ramifications.

One ponders what would have happened if the children of Israel chose to stay home in Egypt rather than head towards freedom and opportunity. While in the wilderness, some contemplated returning to their homes rather than endure the challenge of day-by-day dependence upon God to meet their needs. It’s most interesting to note that after forty years, God led His children to the place He wanted them to enjoy, He did not simply hand His gift over. He chose to make His people fight and battle to claim the Promised Land and finally enjoy its bounties. And after all that, they had to be on constant guard to defend against a relentless enemy who fought to regain lost territory.

Our America is the land of milk and honey much of the world envies. It is ours to enjoy, given to us by a God who is honored when His principles are upheld in our national and state policy despite the powerful political giants who would like us to believe values voters are meaningless grasshoppers.

Going to the polls on Election Day is one simple effort crucial to our nation’s system of government. That one small effort will make all the difference for our future and our children’s.

Which perspective will your spy report reflect — little faith, or big hope?

News Release
Illinois Family Institute

GLEN ELLYN, Ill.–Illinois Family Institute (IFI) today condemned Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decision to issue an Executive Order to fund immoral embryonic stem cell research with $10 million in Illinois taxpayer dollars.

NOTE: To contact Gov. Blagojevich, click HERE, or call 217-782-0244, or 312-814-2121.

“The governor has done an end-run around the legislative process to fund research that advances a utilitarian agenda in which the end justifies the means,” said IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera. “As Yale-educated neuroscience researcher Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk states, while most types of stem cell research (e.g., adult and umbilical cord stem cell research) are ‘morally acceptable and laudable,’ embryonic stem cell research is ‘always morally objectionable, because the human embryo must be destroyed in order to harvest its stem cells.’

“As a society, it is wrong to harvest innocent human life to save other lives. Even as we struggle to find cures for diseases like Parkinson’s, as a society we must always err on the side of life,” LaBarbera said. “But Gov. Blagojevich has ignored these deeper questions to score some quick political points. There are great advances being made through (ethical) adult stem cell research, and none so far with research involving human embryos. There is no need to inject scarce taxpayer dollars into one side of this moral debate.

“The governor just couldn’t resist busting the budget to make some more headlines,” LaBarbera said. “A disturbing pattern has emerged: Gov. Blagojevich misuses his executive power to endorse liberal agenda positions on life issues–at the expense of reasoned democratic debate that would let the people of Illinois have their say on these matters.”

Legislation designed to fund embryonic stem cell research with tax dollars has failed in the General Assembly.

According to the governor’s press release, “By Executive Order, Gov. Blagojevich today directed the Illinois Department of Public Health to create a program that will award $10 million in grants to medical research facilities for the development of treatments and cures. The governor estimated that the program, to be named the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute, will be up and running by the end of the year.”

For more information about embryonic stem cell research, visit Family Research’s Council’s website by clicking HERE. Or see Concerned Women for America’s online Fact Sheet on Stem Cell Research.

The following is the full contact information for Gov. Blagojevich:

Office of the Governor, 
207 State House, 
Springfield, IL 62706; 
(217) 782-0244 or 
(312) 814-2121 [TTY: (888)261-3336] 

E-mail: CLICK HERE

IFI is a non-profit, non-partisan group that works to protect marriage, the natural family and the sanctity of life in Illinois. 
Office phone: 630-790-8370.

CHICAGO, April 5, 2005 – Illinois Family Institute condemns Gov. Rod Blagojevich‘s decision to issue an emergency rule that usurps pharmacists of their God-given liberty to live out their faith and belief system. 

This executive rule requires pharmacies in Illinois to fill prescriptions for contraceptives – including the “morning-after pill” (a potential abortifacient) immediately, even if the pharmacist on duty has moral or religious objections to dispensing that drug. This order will effectively force many Illinois pharmacists to violate the tenants of their faith. 

“In February Illinois residents witnessed Gov. Blagojevich sign SB 3186, a bill that effectively takes away the freedom of churches and people of faith to disagree-and to make hiring decisions according to their beliefs,” said IFI’s Executive Director Peter LaBarbera. “Now the Governor is again requiring Illinois citizens to ignore or even breach their conscience, and forcing a segment of the population to accept the values and ideals of the irreligious left. Public servants have no right to interpret sacred religious teachings for the rest of us – nor do they have the right to demand that we violate them.” 

The issuance of this executive rule fails to respect the conscientious objections of pharmacists. Many health care professionals are morally and ethically opposed to prescribing and dispensing the morning-after pill. Does the Governor really believe that pharmacists, doctors or nurses who have devoted themselves to the life-giving work of healing should be forced to dispense a drug that they fervently believe will harm the patient and/or kill a developing human life?

What Planned Parenthood considers emergency contraceptive “medicine,” conservatives and many people of faith consider poison. “Once again,” said LaBarbera, “the Governor and his liberal friends have revealed how little they care about the liberties and moral freedoms of people of faith, and their cynicism about life and death issues. Otherwise, they would not compel pro-life pharmacists to dispense a drug that causes the death of a human being.”

“I also find the governor’s timing impeccable,” LaBarbera said. “Just after the tragedy of Terri Schavio, and amidst the discussion of Pope John Paul II‘s culture of life legacy, Gov. Blagojevich answers the call of his Planned Parenthood protesting friends over his duty to protect religious liberty and individual’s right of conscience.”

Contact: IFI: 630-790-8370 or desmith@illinoisfamily.org 

CHICAGO-By signing into law SB 3186-a bill that, according to its sponsor, would ban churches from ‘discriminating’ against homosexuals-Gov. Blagojevich is signing away the First Amendment freedoms of churches and anyone who disagrees with homosexuality, Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Peter LaBarbera said today. 

Blagojevich is poised to sign SB 3186 today at noon, and IFI will be leading a counter-protest at 11:30 today at 160 N. LaSalle, the Michael A. Bilandic Building. 

SB 3186 sponsor Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) is on record stating that the new law should be applied to churches: “If that is their goal, to discriminate against gay people, this law wouldn’t allow them to do that. But I don’t believe that’s what the Catholic Church wants or stands for.” 

“Just because liberal like Gov. Blagojevich, Carol Ronen, and Emil Jones no longer view homosexuality as a sin doesn’t give them the right to take away the freedom of churches and people of faith to disagree-and to make hiring decisions according to their beliefs,” LaBarbera said. “Since when do politicians get to interpret sacred religious teachings for the rest of us?” 

“The governor covets a pro-family image, most recently through his video games proposal,” LaBarbera said. “But today we see his other side. You can’t be ‘pro-family’ and sign this unconstitutional bill that will turn churches and religious schools with more than 15 employees into lawsuit targets for the well-financed ‘gay,’ bisexual and transsexual lobbies.”

The threat is real, he said: The Illinois law firm Ungaretti & Harris, which specializes in labor and employment issues, published an analysis of SB 3186 that states (emphasis added): “While many such municipal prohibitions on sexual orientation discrimination expressly exempt religious organizations from their coverage, the new amendment to Illinois’ Human Rights Act does not. The question inevitably presented by this omission is whether the Bill will be applied to compel religious organizations to set aside convictions about homosexuality when making employment decisions… The measure may ultimately force courts to consider and balance its ban on sexual orientation discrimination with State and Federal constitutional safeguards of religious freedom.” 

“This law is all about government coming down on one side of a heated moral controversy by forcing the acceptance of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality,” LaBarbera said. “It’s about saying that ‘gay rights’ are more important than religious freedoms, and we hope that ultimately it will be struck down in court.” 

SB 3186 was rammed through on the last day of a lame-duck legislative session, following a crafty Christmas holiday lobby campaign by the state’s leading homosexual lobby, Equality Illinois, coupled with legislative arm-twisting by Senate President Emil Jones (D). 

“There is no societal consensus for homosexuality, bisexuality or transsexuality as the basis for civil rights-and certainly none for the idea that the ‘rights’ of homosexual should trump those of churches and people of faith to live our their rational belief that homosexuality is unnatural, wrong, and harmful to those who practice it.” LaBarbera said. 

IFI is a non-profit, non-partisan group proudly affiliated with Focus on the Family, Family Research Council and Alliance Defense Fund that defends marriage, family and life in Illinois.