Articles by David E. Smith
Victory for Marriage in California
By David E. Smith   |   11.18.11
In a significant victory for pro-marriage forces, the California Supreme Court ruled this week that the sponsors of Proposition 8 have standing to defend the referendum in court when state officials refuse to do so. Propositition 8 was a constitutional...
Nativity Scene Returns to Illinois State Capitol for 4th Year
By David E. Smith   |   11.12.11
On Tuesday, November 29th, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) will hold its fourth annual “opening day” ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda, 301 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL (corner of 2nd St....
You Did It! The New Gambling Bill Fails!
By David E. Smith   |   11.09.11
Your Action Makes a Difference! The “new” gambling bill, which wasn’t that much different from the one passed by the Illinois General Assembly in May, failed in the Illinois House this evening by a vote of 58 to 53 with...
Gambling Expansion – – – Again
By David E. Smith   |   11.08.11
Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield for round two of the Fall Veto Session, which is scheduled to run through November 10th. This morning, the Illinois House Executive Committee voted to pass a new gambling bill by a vote of...
Tell Congress to Reinstate Abstinence Funding
By David E. Smith   |   11.03.11
Two years ago, President Barack Obama followed through on his campaign pledge to “not continue to fund abstinence-only programs.” As a result, President Obama’s 2010 budget eliminated funding for Community-Based Abstinence Education and several other abstinence-education programs. Thankfully, U.S. Representative ...
Thank Illinois’ Catholic Bishops for Admonishing Gov. Quinn
By David E. Smith   |   11.03.11
The Bishops of the Illinois Catholic Conference recently released a strong, but appropriate statement admonishing Governor Pat Quinn for his decision to present an abortion-rights leadership award at an upcoming luncheon. This luncheon will raise funds for Personal PAC —...
More than 200 Pastors Join IFI in Urging Gov. Quinn to Veto SB 744
By David E. Smith   |   10.10.11
The Illinois Family Institute has sent a letter to Governor Quinn, with more than 200 signatures of Illinois pastors. The letter implores the governor to veto the massive gambling bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly during the closing days...
Leadership in Springfield: Rep. Morrison Decries Religious Discrimination at DCFS
By David E. Smith   |   09.28.11
On Wednesday afternoon, State Representative Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) released a statement strongly objecting to what amounts to discrimination as the state of Illinois severs ties to another faith-based foster care adoption organization. This Friday, the Department of Children and Family...
IFI Statement on the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
By David E. Smith   |   09.20.11
At midnight on September 20, 2011, the repeal of the policy referred to as “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) took effect. At 12:01 a.m. in Vermont, an active duty Navy lieutenant married his partner of eleven years, which means for...
Court Ruling Supports “Adult” Business Regulations
By David E. Smith   |   09.19.11
An Ohio law that shuts down sexually oriented businesses at midnight has been upheld by a federal appeals court. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law does not violate the free speech rights of the operators...
ACLU Sues Missouri School District for Blocking LGBT Websites
By David E. Smith   |   09.15.11
The ACLU finds itself in the midst of another controversial legal battle, this time in Missouri where they are suing a school district to allow K-12 students to access GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) websites. The ACLU’s Eastern Missouri...
Sex Offenders Reside In Homes Which Are Licensed Day Care Centers In Illinois
By David E. Smith   |   09.15.11
Government Bureaucracy Fails To Protect Children There are many forms of child abuse…verbal, physical and perhaps the most abhorrent is sexual. The stories of teachers who are having sexual relations with their students is a case in point. Just 20...
Remembering September 11, 2001
By David E. Smith   |   09.09.11
Over the course of more than two hundred years of United States history, there are moments that are indelibly etched in the collective memory of our nation. September 11, 2001 marks one of those moments that is vividly and painfully...
Study Finds Children At Risk from Cohabitation
By David E. Smith   |   08.27.11
A new research study concludes that cohabitation has now become the greatest threat to the welfare of children in the United States. The study, entitled “Why Marriage Matters,” says that cohabitation has replaced divorce as the greatest contributor to family...
Federal Court Provides No Relief to Sex Trafficking Victim
By David E. Smith   |   08.26.11
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against a classified ad website that has been accused of being a marketplace for sexual services. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Mummert has dismissed the lawsuit filed against a dubious website on behalf...
David E. Smith
Executive Director
David  E. Smith

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

David has 30 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 29 years are blessed to be the parents of eight children. They strongly believe that their first duty before God is to disciple their children in the Christian faith, and impress a love of God on their hearts. There is a plethora of research that suggest that parents are the primary influencers in a child’s life. In an ideal world, that’s a mom and dad. Discipleship includes not only studying God’s Word but living a life of faith and walking in obedience to God. Discipleship is also necessary for sound doctrine, love of God and others. We do this in hopes of raising healthy and productive members of society who live to honor God and love their neighbors.

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

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