Articles by David E. Smith
Frequent Marijuana Use Linked to Mental Illness
By David E. Smith   |   08.21.23
A recent study from Denmark adds to concerns about the impact of marijuana upon users’ mental health. According to a Wall Street Journal op-ed by psychologist Susan Pinker, a mammoth study of the health records of all 6.5 million Danes over a 26-year period showed a strong correlation between cannabis (marijuana) use disorder and various mental health diagnoses.
Attention Pastors: The “Lemon Test” Was Overturned
By David E. Smith   |   08.11.23
Did you know? When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Joe Kennedy, the high school football coach who fought for his right to pray after games, they overturned a decision that had long restricted religious expression in public schools. This was a historically significant ruling that restores the civil rights of teachers, coaches and employees across America to live out their faith and pray on a public school campus.
Misogyny: YMCA Springfield Puts Women Last
By David E. Smith   |   07.15.23
The Illinois Freedom Caucus held a press conference on Thursday, July 13th in order to bring attention to the misogynic woke fiasco at the YMCA in Springfield, Illinois. Specifically, these state lawmakers gathered in support of 16-year-old Abbigail Wheeler who was forced to share a locker room with a biological male and then kicked off her swim team after she complained about it.
Christians Are Called to Humility, Not Pride
By David E. Smith   |   06.26.23
While the world wants to celebrate and extol “pride” this month, God's Word calls us to humility. In fact, we are warned against self-righteous and conceited pride.
Chloe Cole Warns: “Gender-Affirming Care” is Child Abuse
By David E. Smith   |   06.22.23
Chloe Cole is a self-described “former trans kid” who de-transitioned after undergoing years of puberty blockers and an irreversible double mastectomy at the age of 15.
Peter Breen Joins Our Line-Up at the IFI Forum on Religious Liberty
By David E. Smith   |   05.23.23
We are pleased to announce that former state legislator Peter Breen has been added to our line-up of speakers for the IFI Special Forum on Religious Liberty.  In addition to being a pro-life hero, Peter leads the Thomas More Society’s Legal Team in service of its Life, Family, and Religious Liberty missions.
IFI Forum on Religious Liberty
By David E. Smith   |   05.20.23
Religious liberty is often called our “first freedom,” as all other human rights stem from it. It is an unalienable right given to us by Almighty God, who expects us to be good stewards of this gift, not only for ourselves but for posterity and as an example for the world and all those who yearn for true liberty.
Information Is Key to Fighting SEL: Julie & Allen Quist
By David E. Smith   |   05.19.23
In the interview below, our good friend Alex Newman focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL), which is labeled “fake education” and pure neo-Marxist indoctrination by Julie and Allen Quist. After discussing the background of SEL and its funding by international corporate interests such as Bill Gates and the Zuckerberg Institute, the Quists emphasize that information is key to getting SEL out of schools — especially Christian schools...
Good Friday Gives Us Hope
By David E. Smith   |   04.07.23
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." ~1 Peter 2:24
Danville Abortion Mill Press Conference
By David E. Smith   |   03.27.23
Members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus,  local pastors, pro-life advocates and dozens of local citizens gathered in front of the old Dillman Eye Clinic on North Logan Avenue in Danville, Illinois at noon Monday, March 27th to protest the planned opening of an abortion facility.
Another Conversation With Rod Dreher
By David E. Smith   |   03.10.23
Pastor Derek Buikema of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church recently interviewed Rod Dreher about his latest book, Live Not By Lies. The heart of this excellent interview is a phenomenon we are seeing but don't always want to acknowledge: we are living in a time of soft totalitarianism. Those who have been blessed to live in the USA all their lives are often not as quick to recognize this as those who have come from communist nations.
Mandatory Kindergarten and Eventually Preschool
By David E. Smith   |   03.01.23
State Representative Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) is working to expand the state's compulsory school attendance laws in order to capture the hearts and minds of innocent and impressionable children. The bill she has sponsored is HB 3143.
FDA Rule On Chemical Abortion Drugs Challenged in Court
By David E. Smith   |   02.23.23
Attorneys general of 23 states have filed two amicus briefs in support of a lawsuit seeking the withdrawal of FDA approval of the drugs mifepristone (RU-486) and misoprostol for use in chemical abortions. Unfortunately, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is not one of them. Success in this suit could make chemical abortion illegal even in states where abortion access remains legal.
Democrats Want All-Gender Restrooms in Illinois?
By David E. Smith   |   02.23.23
During the Illinois House Human Services Committee hearing on Wednesday morning, State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Collinsville) brought forth her bill to amend the so-called "Equitable Restroom Act" to push the nonsensical transgender agenda on our families with co-ed bathrooms. Her bill (HB 1286) allows publicly or privately owned venues to create or convert their "multiple-occupancy restrooms" into "all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom[s]" so that multiple males and females will be using the same restroom at the same time.
The Harbaugh Pledge
By David E. Smith   |   02.17.23
In an interview with ESPN last September, Michigan Wolverines Coach Jim Harbaugh (and former Chicago Bear quarterback) openly shared that he tells his family, team, and staff that if any of them is faced with a crisis pregnancy, he and his wife Sarah will adopt that child. 
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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