Articles by David E. Smith
By David E. Smith   |   04.14.14
Bloomberg’s Brian Miller reports on the U.S. gambling industry on Bloomberg Television’s “Market Makers.” (Source: Bloomberg) Lawmakers who continue to advocate to expand gambling fail to understand that it is an unstable source of revenue. Revenue is down at casinos...
Illinois House Passes Another Bullying Bill
By David E. Smith   |   04.10.14
How did they vote? This afternoon, the Illinois House voted 64 to 43 to pass HB 5707, a completely unnecessary proposal by State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), constituting nothing more than a reiteration of the Bullying Prevention Task Force recommendations...
SCOTUS Quashes Case Defending Freedom of Conscience
By David E. Smith   |   04.08.14
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has dealt a severe blow to religious freedom and freedom of speech in a highly publicized case involving a New Mexico photographer.  The High Court has refused to hear the appeal of...
UPDATE:  POLST Bill Passes in Illinois Senate
By David E. Smith   |   04.03.14
How did they vote? Earlier this afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted 34-18 with one voting present to pass SB 3076, a bill to amend the Illinois Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code to...
Legislation to Delay Common Core — Hearing This Wednesday
By David E. Smith   |   03.24.14
This Wednesday, State Representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) will be presenting HR 543 before the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee.  This resolution will urge the Illinois State Board of Education to delay the implementation of Common Core Standards until...
Banning Federal Funding of Abortion (Update)
By David E. Smith   |   02.06.14
Only 7 Illinois Reps Vote to Ban Federal Abortion Funding Republican members of Illinois’ Congressional delegation have voted to slap a total ban on federal taxpayer funding of elective abortions. Seven of Illinois’ eighteen members of the U.S. House of...
Illinois is in the Bottom Half for Life — But Improving
By David E. Smith   |   01.23.14
There is a new study out from Americans United for Life (AUL) that looks at the abortion policies in all 50 states.  It concludes that Illinois is the 27th on how well we protect life in law.  The good news...
Annual SpeakOut Illinois Conference on Feb 1st
By David E. Smith   |   01.17.14
Join the IFI Team and many other great pro-life advocates at the annual SpeakOut Illinois Conference. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 1 at Crowne Plaza O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont. The topic will be “Empowered for Life:...
Hold a Voter Registration Drive!!
By David E. Smith   |   01.08.14
Registering to vote is the first step in engaging in civic life and becoming a good steward of your God-given responsibility of self-government. Any Illinois citizen who will be eighteen by Election Day is eligible to register. The process for registering is easy and convenient, but, sadly, millions of Americans choose not to take the time. Estimates count that from 35 percent to 50 percent of Americans are not registered to vote.
Video Slot Machines for Tinley Park?
By David E. Smith   |   01.06.14
According to a recent article in the Southtown Star newspaper, elected officials in the Village of Tinley Park are planning to pass an ordinance to allow video gambling machines within city limits. The vote may come as early as the next village board meeting on January 7, 2014.
Senate Committee Overrides Illinois History
By David E. Smith   |   02.05.13
The Senate Executive Committee decided to override Illinois history this afternoon by approving SB 10 which redefines marriage to include two individuals of the same sex. The bill passed out of committee by a 9-5 vote along party lines. The...
Marriage Redefinition To Begin in the Illinois Senate
By David E. Smith   |   02.04.13
The effort to to redefine marriage and family is shifting into high gear. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the proponents of same-sex “marriage” plan to attempt to pass their disastrous  legislation in the Illinois Senate on Valentine’s Day. One...
Sex Education Bill Pending Vote in Veto Session
By David E. Smith   |   10.18.11
Our Illinois state lawmakers will be returning to Springfield next week (October 25th-27th) and in early November (8th-10th) for the annual Fall Veto Session. One of the bills that we are working against is HB 3027 — a bill being...
Americans Overwhelmingly Recognize Natural Marriage
By David E. Smith   |   06.17.11
A culture that weakens marriage eventually weakens itself. God’s design for marriage between one man and one woman provides the foundation for family, stability, and human flourishing. Marriage matters. Families matter. Truth matters.
New Sex Ed Bill in Springfield — Still Bad
By David E. Smith   |   05.19.11
The “comprehensive” sex education bill that we alerted you to in March has been re-written and re-introduced as HB 3027 and will soon be heard in the Illinois State Senate. Background HB 3027 is completely unnecessary and an intrusion into...
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
IFI Featured Video
A Biblical Response to Islam in America