Articles by David E. Smith
Secular Invocation Replaces Prayer at Illinois Capitol
By David E. Smith   |   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.
Assisted Suicide Up For a Vote in Springfield?
By David E. Smith   |   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.
Anti-Christian Bias Task Force
By David E. Smith   |   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.
Springfield Lawmakers Introduce The Riley Gaines Act
By David E. Smith   |   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."
Resurrection Day Blessings!
By David E. Smith   |   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. 
Sign Up for IFI’s Gideon’s Army
By David E. Smith   |   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.
Diatribe: State Rep. Costa Howard Attempts to Justify HB 2827
By David E. Smith   |   04.12.25
Frustrated with persistent opposition to HB 2827, "The Homeschool (Registration) Act," State Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) took approximately three minutes on Friday morning to gripe about why she isn't going to relent on pushing her bill.
Prayer Bulletin for April 2025
By David E. Smith   |   04.07.25
George Barna's latest research, which was primarily conducted through the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, provides a detailed examination of the state of biblical worldview among American Christians as of early 2025.
Illinois Bureaucrats Are Disqualified to Oversee Homeschoolers
By David E. Smith   |   04.05.25
In various media interviews, State Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) has repeatedly claimed that there are no regulations in Illinois for homeschoolers. This is not true. Moreover, she has repeatedly suggested that state lawmakers “have to do something to make sure that kids are receiving an education,” yet year after year public school systems miss the academic mark for a majority of their students.
HB 2827: Next Steps
By David E. Smith   |   03.20.25
It is vitally important that we pray fervently for God’s help in defeating this bill, make phone calls, send emails, schedule visits, and then pray some more.
Prayer Bulletin for March 2025
By David E. Smith   |   03.11.25
Prayer should be a foundational and central part of our lives as Christians. We are instructed to pray without ceasing, making our appeals to Almighty God. (1 Thess 5:16; Phil 4:6) Our prayers are often for spiritual strength, wisdom, healing, protection and/or courage. But we are also to pray for others including those in authority, those who are in need, and for our enemies.
IFI Annual Worldview Conference: Walk-Ins Welcome!
By David E. Smith   |   03.03.25
Please come, learn, and be challenged to live above the fray in today's Babylonian culture. Learn how to respond to a culture that is in full rebellion against God and His ways.
The March 17 Illinois Election: Commit to Fighting This Battle on Our Knees
By David E. Smith   |   03.03.25
Before Nehemiah rebuilt walls, he bowed in prayer. Before we cast ballots, we must do the same. Join believers across Illinois in fervent prayer leading up to March 17th — because the battle belongs to the Lord.
Strong Marriages Matter
By David E. Smith   |   02.20.25
Now more than ever, Christians must contend for the institutions of marriage and family. Forecasts that 1 in 3 young adults in the U.S. today will never marry signify a closing of the “American heart.” Please join IFI for our annual Worldview Conference on Saturday, March 8th in Downers Grove as we examine this issue through a biblical lens.
Illinois Homeschool Freedoms at Risk!
By David E. Smith   |   02.15.25
Over the years, we have loved being able to tell people that Illinois was among the best states with homeschooling freedoms. That is thanks, in part to a 1950 case (People v. Levisen) in which the Illinois Supreme Court determined that the term "private school" included instruction given to a child at home, as long as the instruction was adequate.
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 30 years are blessed to be the parents of eight children, whom they homeschool. 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.

Follow David E. Smith
IFI Featured Video
Teach kids to value life… more death is coming to Illinois