Illinois Family Institute

Chicago and Cook County snollygosters are now requiring COVID-19 vaccination proof for indoor venues due to a surge in infection of a "pandemic" virus that has a 98 percent recovery rate. According to the new guidelines, those 5 and older must show proof of full vaccination, but anyone ages 16 and older will also need to provide identification that matches their vaccination record. So please, have your private health paperwork in order for inspection by government officials.

Christian conservatives will want to watch and share this remarkable interview between Peter J. Leithart and Pastor Derek Buikema. Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute and serves as Teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Birmingham and an adjunct Senior Fellow at New St. Andrews College. He is the author of many books, including a two-volume commentary on Revelation (T&T Clark, 2018) and a commentary on 1&2 Chronicles (Brazos, forthcoming). He writes a regular bi-weekly column at FirstThings.com, and has published articles in many periodicals, both popular and academic

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas; What's the Point? The war on Christmas is waged by progressives who want to reduce our public holidays to secular absurdities. The Christian celebration of the birth of the Son of God has given way to myths, fairy tales and commercialization. But the Truth about Christmas has eternal significance. Kenna Rose explains...

If you watch FOX & Friends Weekend, you are likely familiar with co-host Pete Hegseth. In this video, he addresses the alarming decline in the percentage of young Americas, 18-29-year-olds, who believe that America is an exceptional country and the rising percentage of individuals who believe that other nations are greater than the U.S. Hegseth also describes how an intentional, progressive takeover, one hundred years in the making, facilitated the introduction and indoctrination of Critical Theory, Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project, and blatant anti-Americanism pro-Marxism to students in government schools. Please watch and share this video with others who are concerned about the state of America’s education system – and plan to watch Hegseth’s upcoming five-part series, “The Miseducation of America,” airing in January 2022.

IFI was honored to have theologian, pastor, and courageous truth-teller Doug Wilson speak at our 2019 Worldview Conference on "Trans" Ideology. Pastor Derek Buikema of the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church sits down with Pastor Wilson to ask him about issues central to our Christian faith. In this short video, Buikema asks Wilson about the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian education.

In this webinar, Alex Newman stresses the importance of getting children out of public schools as quickly as possible. His reasons for this are many and stem from the global agendas being forced into the curriculum. These include socialism and communism--both failed experiments in other parts of the world--as well as the ever-expanding sexual education. This "education" only begins at the "drag queen story hours" that we have been hearing about for years. Now, schools can hide sex change services from parents, and educational materials go so far as to teach about the pedophilia present in ancient Greece. Furthermore, these schools are teaching Islamic and Buddhist principles, while banning prayer in schools, as part of the "global education" that schools are moving toward. Ultimately, they hope for a "world core curriculum" that will have the same standards for every child in every school in the world. This has always been the goal, Newman says, and is a sign to parents: get your children out of government schools.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) recently published a music video promising to “convert” children to a “tolerant” pro-LGBT worldview. Their "pride" and honesty should be a wake up call to all God-fearing Americans. They openly declare: “the gay agenda is here,” “we’ll corrupt your kids,” and “we’re coming for them.” The SFGNC blames “manipulation from anti-LGBTQ media figures” for the intense backlash, claiming that the video was “tongue-in-cheek.” Online supporters of the video suggest that objections demonstrate what ignorant rubes conservatives are in that they can’t recognize satire. When sexual regressives can’t make an argument, they resort to mockery and name-calling. While references to pleated pants and discos are tongue-in-cheek allusions, their claims that homosexual activists seek to convert children’s disapproval of homosexuality to approval are genuine. Their tacit claim that moral disapproval of homosexual acts and relationships constitutes hatred and injustice is not a tongue-in-cheek claim. Their hope to use other people’s children to “convert” their parents’ moral beliefs is not a tongue-in-cheek hope. Their proclamation that they are coming for the hearts and minds of other people’s children is not a tongue-in-cheek proclamation. If you think it is, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s going on in government schools for the last three decades. The SFGMC isn’t saying anything new. They’ve just converted their pernicious plans into a prideful anthem. Read more: https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/homosexuals-again-admit-their-goal-is-to-convert-children/

In this short clip, Pastor Calvin Lindstrom of Christian Liberty Academy presents ten of the main differences between government and Christian schools. He does this with careful attention to the line between the state's indoctrination and the good influences that may still be present, if quiet, in public schools, for Christians are everywhere. Nevertheless, he does emphasize the freedom that the Christian schools have to proclaim Christ and His Kingdom and to teach about God's presence in and influence over all things. This "quick hits" list serves as a great reminder of the many advantages that Christian schools hold over public education.

Rev. Ceasar LeFlore's presentation at IFI's recent Public School Exit events. Learn more at https://illinoisfamily.org/education/pse/

In this short video, Mr. Kirk Smith of Illinois Christian Home Educators discusses why homeschooling is an excellent option for educating your children. As a former public school teacher who used to speak against homeschooling, Mr. Smith can speak truly about how wonderful homeschooling has ended up being for his family despite the sacrifice it has required. He argues that because the student cannot be greater than the teacher, students who are sent to "Rome" will return as Romans; furthermore, as other speakers in this video series have argued, a few hours at church each week cannot adequately combat the agendas being taught all day every weekday in public schools. Homeschooling, then, is a great option to consider--take it from a skeptical father who has truly seen its fruits! Learn more at iche.org.

Approximately 160 citizens from across the state gathered in front of the Illinois governor’s mansion in Springfield on Thursday, July 1st for a Pro-Family Rally and Jericho Prayer March in protest of radical sex education legislation (SB 818). We gathered to pray and recite scripture, to sing hope into 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.”

Doing the work of the Lord will never be in vain, says Jennifer Burns, founder of Classical Consortium Academy as well as the homeschool enrichment program HEART, in this short video on education. While exiting the public schools is necessary, Burns says, our work cannot stop there. We must find a Christ-centered education for our students that will equip them for the world. Here, she presents some important questions to ask of the education we are giving our children, then describes the features of Classical Consortium and its partnership with the Village Church of Barrington and explains why it may be beneficial for your family.

The Illinois House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee held a hearing on SB 818 on Tuesday, May 25th. The Illinois Senate took up this bill the week before, on May 20th. So-called “progressives” and their evil allies–Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and Equality Illinois–will use this legislation to indoctrinate children starting in kindergarten. Unfortunately, SB 818 passed by a partisan vote of 37 to 18 with four members not voting. It is now up for consideration in the Illinois House, where State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) is the chief sponsor. ACTION: Send a message to your state representative to ask him/her to vote against SB 818. Impressionable students in public schools should not be exposed to body- and soul-destroying messages that promote leftist beliefs about sexuality. The Capitol switchboard number is (217) 782-2000.

Our Springfield snollygosters are working tenaciously to provide Christian parents with a plethora of reasons to abandon government schools in Illinois. On Thursday afternoon (May 20th), the Illinois Senate took up and debated another “comprehensive” sex education bill (SB 818) that so-called “progressives” and their evil allies–Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and Equality Illinois–are using to indoctrinate children starting in kindergarten. This bill to corrupt children with leftist humanistic values is sponsored by Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and passed by a partisan vote of 37 to 18 with four members not voting. It is now up for consideration in the Illinois House, where State Representative Camille Lilly (D-Chicago) is the chief sponsor. TAKE ACTION: Please contact your state representative to ask him/her to vote against SB 818. Impressionable students in public schools should not be exposed to body- and soul-destroying messages that promote leftist beliefs about sexuality. The Springfield switchboard phone number is: (217) 782-2000. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

On Thursday, April 22nd, the Illinois House passed HB 2789, an authoritarian proposal sponsored by State Representative Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg). This bill adds an amendment to an existing law granting sole authority to determine whether, when, and under what conditions public and private schools can return to in-person instruction in the event of a public health crisis to the Department of Public Health. Does HB 2789 include private schools and homeschools? We believe it does. The Catholic Conference of Illinois is lobbying against it. Why? The legislation requires that the Illinois Department of Health "establish requirements by rule for providing in-person instruction at nonpublic schools and public schools..." The phrase "nonpublic schools" is repeated three times in the bill. Our attorneys and policy experts believe that nonpublic encompass all private schools in the state of Illinois -- including home schools. Take ACTION: Send a message to your state senator asking him/her to vote against HB 2789. If we have learned anything during the COVID-19 lockdown, it is that a one size fits all approach doesn't work. We have local school boards and county health officials who are better positioned to respond to health crisis. With a few days left before the Illinois General Assembly adjourns for the summer, your local state senator must hear from you. Please! Let them know clearly, but politely, that we vehemently oppose giving bureaucrats at the Department of Public Health Powers in Springfield MORE authority. This power grab by Springfield is alarming. Listen to this short video alert by young Ms. Kenna:

Democrat state lawmakers introduced the Repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (HB 1797 and SB 2190) in the Illinois General Assembly’s spring legislative session. The bill would repeal the current law and allow minor females to obtain abortions without a parent’s or guardian’s knowledge. The group, Parents for the Protection of Girls, recently held a press conference announcing their strong opposition to the repeal. The Tarrance Group conducted a survey of 600 registered voters in Illinois and found that “nearly three-quarters [of Illinoisans] are opposed to repealing the Parental Notice Law.” According to those polled, 72% of overall respondents support the current parental notification requirement. When those surveyed were asked, “’If a minor is seeking an abortion, do you believe a parent or guardian should be notified?,’ only 22% said ‘no’ or ‘strongly no’ to that question.” Call the Capitol switchboard at (217) 782-2000 and ask for your state representative. Let him/her know that gutting or repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion Act will subvert families and create an environment to protect their minor daughters’ abusers. Ask them to oppose any and all efforts to repeal or amend the law and, instead, uphold parental rights. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Recreational marijuana is now legal in 15 states plus Washington D.C. Marijuana advocates argue that this product is harmless, and that is good to help people "chill" out and destress. But the efforts to glorify marijuana has been built on lies. For example, that marijuana arrests fill prisons; that most doctors want to use cannabis as medicine; that it can somehow stem the opiate epidemic; that it is not just harmless but beneficial for mental health. Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, explodes those myths in his book, “Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness And Violence.” Sign up for our email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

Anni Cyrus' presentation at an IFI event in summer 2018 on Islam. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

DHS Whistleblower and counterterrorism expert, author of "See Something, Say Nothing." Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register

In this presentation delivered at Illinois Family Institute's Annual Banquet in 2016, Michele Bachmann, a politician who has served both in the Minnesota Senate and the United States House of Representatives, speaks on Christians' responsibility to defend truth in our country. Using the example of the Pilgrims, who came to found a new community on Christian principles, she argues for the good that Christians can do in a society to preserve its culture and uphold truth. The spirit of the United States did not originate with the U.S. Constitution or with the Declaration of Independence, she argues; rather, it comes directly from God, who upholds man. With the spirit of the Pilgrims' Christian community, we can preserve this country, and this speech may well inspire more Christians to do so. Sign up for our Action Alert Email at https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/register