Articles by David E. Smith
By David E. Smith
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06.01.25
Praise God! Your fervent prayers, calls, and emails to your state lawmakers made a difference. We're thrilled to report that the radical proposal to normalize assisted suicide (SB 1950) was not called for a vote in the Illinois Senate before adjournment.
By David E. Smith
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05.28.25
As Illinois lawmakers eye online gambling as a potential financial lifeline, experts warn the state is heading down a dangerous path of market saturation and overreliance on gambling revenue. With billions in pension liabilities and growing debt, is expanding Big Gambling the solution—or just a predatory wager against the best interests of the state's citizens?
By David E. Smith
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05.24.25
In a strategic maneuver, the assisted suicide legislation has been attached to a different bill, a move designed to enable the Illinois General Assembly to push this alarming measure through in the final hours of the regular session. Illinois has no demonstrated need or widespread public cry for assisted suicide. Why, then, is there such an urgent drive to legalize ending life?
By David E. Smith
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05.20.25
The last day of the regular session for the Illinois General Assembly is May 31st! Therefore, we have less than two weeks to petition our state lawmakers and tell them to VOTE NO on pro-suicide legislation. Devaluing life for some means devaluing life for all. The state should never normalize suicide.
By David E. Smith
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05.16.25
Lawmakers intent on legalizing physician-assisted suicide have scheduled HB 1328, the House version of SB 9, for a subject-matter hearing in the Illinois House Executive Committee, tomorrow, May 14, 2025.
By David E. Smith
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05.10.25
Prayer is a direct line to communicate with God which helps us to align our hearts and minds with God’s perfect will. (Phil 4:6-7) The Bible commands prayer (1 Thes 5:17, “pray without ceasing”). Prayer is an act of faithfulness to God’s instruction. It is also a selfless act of love when we intercede for others’ needs. (Mat 22:39, Mark 12:31, Lev 19:18)
By David E. Smith
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05.09.25
State Rep. Grasse opened an Illinois House session with a prayer this week that omitted any reference to God as the source of wisdom. She missed the opportunity to offer a prayer expressing gratitude to our Creator—who endowed us with "certain unalienable rights"—and seeking divine guidance for the state's leadership. Such a prayer would be both inclusive and profoundly appropriate.
By David E. Smith
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05.05.25
Last week, IFI joined the Family Research Council, the Family Policy Alliance, and Family Policy Councils across the country in signing a joint letter urging President Trump to re-evaluate the safety of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone.
By David E. Smith
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05.03.25
As you may know, the Springfield LGBTQIA+ Pride Fest is scheduled for May 17, 2025. The number of these types of events are growing throughout the state, including Decatur, Alton, Belleville, Peoria, Champaign/Urbana, Olney and Salem.
By David E. Smith
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04.30.25
Illinois State Representative Grasse was called upon today to give the opening prayer in that chamber. Instead of taking a few minutes to thank God for His goodness and then humbly ask for His help, wisdom and direction for their work, she decided to lead the assembled officials in a moment of utter irreverence.
By David E. Smith
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04.28.25
Every human being is created by Almighty God in His image and has inherent dignity and value. Terminal illnesses and suffering does not diminish this fact.
By David E. Smith
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04.26.25
President Trump and Attorney General Bondi recognize that religious liberty is foundational to all of our Constitutional freedoms, and that they are doing all they can do to protect our first freedom. All Americans should be free to exercise their faith without government intrusion in school, in the military, in the workplace, and in the public square.
By David E. Smith
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04.24.25
Illinois State Representatives Tom Weber and Reagan Deering were joined by female athletes Caitlyn and Abbigail Wheeler to champion HB 4027, "The Riley Gaines Act." This bill would help protect female sports by prohibiting "any male to compete for, against, or with a team designated for females, women, or girls."
By David E. Smith
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04.20.25
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week. We would do well to take time to reflect on who we are and where we stand in our faith. Our patience and devotion have been challenged many times over the last few years, but also rewarded. Now would be a good time to look back on the path we have taken and gear up for the next steps, as people of faith and as Americans.
By David E. Smith
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04.17.25
Christian conservatives could have a greater influence on our culture and the political process if only more of us were willing to engage in prayer and activism. Scripture exhorts us to do both: Pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-7), and live out our faith (James 1:22). If every conservative Christian did this, our state and nation would not be submerged in the cesspool in which we currently find ourselves.
