No one knows for sure who first said the phrase, “If your only tool is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail.” Whether it was Mark Twain, Abraham Maslow, or someone else, it perfectly describes Illinois Democrats’ latest push to usurp control over our state’s kids.

Illinois State lawmakers will be back in session this week, and hundreds of bills are moving through committees. We want to thank those of you who have taken time to take action on these email alerts. It is vitally important that policy makers hear from Illinois constituents and not just special interest groups/activists.

A bill currently under consideration in the Illinois General Assembly would allow children 12 and up to apply for Medicaid to pay for “family planning” services. Specifically, HB 5473 states: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (2), a minor who is 12 years of age or older may sign and file an application of the minor’s own behalf if such application is for the Article V family planning program enacted by Public Act 102-665 amending Section 5-5 of this Code.”

Citizens across the state of Illinois will be casting their votes in today's General Election. Pro-family candidates need your vote. Values Voters must stand up and be counted. Our voice in this midterm election - and in every election - is critical.  So, if you haven't already voted in this election cycle, please make sure you get to the polls today!

Every American citizen has, among other things, the right and responsibility to vote. If too many fail to take this responsibility seriously, it allows for a few, with bad intentions, to transform the state into an oligarchy or dictatorship!

Please take the time to let lawmakers know that voters are watching what they do while they're in session. As you know, there is a small window to be able to submit these witness slips.

The legislative effort to address bullying in Illinois started in 2006 when the Illinois School Code was amended. The act required schools to establish an anti-bullying policy, inform students and parents about it, and keep their updated policies on file with the Illinois State Board of Education.

There has been a flurry of activity at the Capitol in Springfield which will continue until March 22nd before lawmakers break for for Spring Break. We urge you to take a few minutes to file witness slips for a dozen bills that will soon have a hearing.

The seemingly never ending efforts to keep Donald Trump from regaining a return to his temporary residence at the White House got personal in Illiinois this week. The Chicago Tribune alerted us that Cook County Judge Judge Tracie Porter has ruled that the former president should have his name struck from the March 19 Illinois Republican primary ballot.

Whenever a legislator proposes a new law, supposedly, that new law is intended to solve some problem. But what problem does the law proposed by Anne Stava-Murray seek to solve in HB 4876? Her bill would expand the definition of child abuse to include a parent or other member of the household who...

Many bills have been filed since the start of this second half of the legislative session. IFI is keeping a close watch on which get assigned to a committee so that you, as an Illinois voter, can make your position known by filing a witness slip.

A recent news story by Chicago’s WGN9 is titled “Illinois is Failing Children of Color.” It examines  “Race for Results” –a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation which found that children of color face several “inequities” in Illinois.

Why are local elections so uninteresting to voters? Local elections in Illinois generally draw about 16% of registered voters. This is compared to the average turnout over the last 20 years for presidential elections in Illinois of 63% and the average turnout in the off-year elections of 44%.

Perhaps you’ve never heard of Allie Phillips. She is one to keep your eye on. Her story may help determine the fate of babies in Tennessee and elsewhere. 

At the beginning of January, the news began to buzz with the report of Chicago alderman Nicholas Sposato, who told journalists that the city's school system is looking into removing all police officers from high schools.