Articles by David E. Smith
Does Gender Really Matter?
By David E. Smith   |   08.13.18
In a 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer in April 2015, Bruce Jenner announced he is a “transgender woman,” saying that he had dealt with gender dysphoria since his youth and that, "for all intents and purposes, I'm a woman." In the summer of 2017, Pastor Paul Williams, who led the conservative church-planting organization Orchard Group for 20 years, announced he is a “transgender woman.”
Radical Islam to Agnosticism to Disciple of Christ
By David E. Smith   |   08.09.18
How did you come to faith in Jesus? For most of us, a parent, grandparent, Sunday school teacher, or other influential person in our life shared the Gospel with us, answered our questions, encouraged and prayed over us, leading us...
Insult and Injury: The Problem of Pot and Pesticides
By David E. Smith   |   08.03.18
Bifenazate, Trifloxystrobin, Abamectin, Bifenthrin. Do these names sound like healthy ingredients or chemicals you would feel comfortable ingesting in foods or beverages? These are pesticides that have been discovered in laboratory-tested samples of “medical” marijuana and marijuana products that were...
Marijuana: Fostering a Chronic State
By David E. Smith   |   07.23.18
As you know, IFI is very concerned about the move by certain state lawmakers to legalize “recreational” marijuana in Illinois. In 2014, so-called “medical” marijuana became legal in the Land of Lincoln. Over the past four years, state lawmakers and...
Prager University Short Video: So, You Think You’re Tolerant?
By David E. Smith   |   07.20.18
How would you define tolerance? The essence of the standard societal and dictionary definitions boils down to this – tolerance is the ability or willingness to live among and get along with people whose opinions and behavior are different, even...
Special Panel on Radical Islam – 3 Locations
By David E. Smith   |   07.10.18
Illinois Family Institute and local ACT for America leaders are hosting a panel of experts to answer your questions about radical Islam in three locations this weekend. This panel includes: Philip Haney, former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) whistle blower...
PragerU: University Indoctrination
By David E. Smith   |   06.30.18
Dangerous people: taxpayer-funded; indoctrinating impressionable, young minds; all with the goal of undermining Western civilization. If you suppose this describes the henchmen and tactics employed by a Marxist regime halfway around the world, you are wrong. Rather, this commonplace scenario...
The Sad Effect of Sin
By David E. Smith   |   06.14.18
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently came out with a report with staggering information.  Suicide is on the rise.  The report mentions that suicide rates are up more than 30 percent in half of the United States since...
What Does it Mean to be a Conservative?
By David E. Smith   |   06.13.18
What does it mean to be a Conservative? Historically, issues of faith and family that reflect traditional morals and values – the sanctity of life, heterosexual marriage, and belief in God and in His Word – have been the primary...
When a Christian Should Break the Law
By David E. Smith   |   06.05.18
In the last several years, we’ve seen a strong movement towards unrighteous in our country.  A look at the headlines, news stories, social media and other forms of media, reminds us that this world is not our home.  However, while this world is not our home, we still need to live, work and be an ambassador for Christ.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Colorado Cake Artist
By David E. Smith   |   06.04.18
Earlier this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling, striking down the State of Colorado’s decision against Jack Phillips. Though Jack served all customers, the State of Colorado punished Jack for declining to participate in a same-sex wedding.
Illinois House Ratifies the ERA
By David E. Smith   |   05.30.18
On Wednesday evening, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 72 to 45 to ratify SJRCA 4, a completely unnecessary proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to eradicate sex as a legitimate characteristic on which to base reasonable distinctions. Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and ten House Republicans voted for the ERA, while five Democrats voted against this resolution.
Stop Illinois Funding of Abortion
By David E. Smith   |   05.24.18
The Illinois General Assembly is winding up its work for the 2018 Spring session and will try to adjourn for the summer by Thursday, May 31st. That means that things could move very quickly over the next six days. We...
Shine Like Stars
By David E. Smith   |   02.26.18
The year that was, 2017, is now fading in the rearview mirror. As we look out on the unfolding expanse of 2018, as far as the eye can see, the culture war rages – a hard-pitched battle between a culture...
Webinar #2 on Legalization of Marijuana in Illinois
By David E. Smith   |   02.14.18
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation about today’s high potency marijuana. Overdose rates have increased in states that have legalized such as Colorado, which legalized ‘recreational” marijuana in 2014.  As a result of legalization, they’ve also seen significant increases...
David E. Smith
Executive Director
David  E. Smith

Dave Smith is the executive director of Illinois Family Institute (501c3) and Illinois Family Action (501c4).

Follow Dave on X: @ProFamilyIL

David has almost 35 years of experience in public policy and grass-roots activism that includes countless interviews for numerous radio, television, cable programs and newspaper articles on topics such as the sanctity of life, natural marriage, broadcast decency, sex education, marijuana, gambling, abortion, homosexuality, tax policy, drug decriminalization and pornography.

He and his wife of 31 years are blessed with eight children, many of whom they homeschool. They believe their first God-given responsibility is to disciple their children—cultivating a love for God through faithful teaching and obedient living. Research consistently affirms that parents, ideally a mother and father, are the primary influencers in a child’s life. True discipleship involves sound doctrine, love for God and others, and a life lived in faithful obedience, all with the aim of raising healthy, productive individuals who honor God and love their neighbors.

Dave has also served as a precinct committeeman and served as an elder in his local church.

Follow David E. Smith
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