Spotlight

This episode features a presentation by Anni Cyrus on Islam in America Today. This lecture was given at Christian Emergency League Townhall meeting hosted by New Hope Community church in Palatine. Anni Cyrus is a human rights activist who fled from Iran as a teenager. Her site,  Live Up to Freedom , is the source for the truth about Islam. This episode is a Christian’s guide to understanding...

Monte Larrick is joined by Darren Bailey , a former state representative, senator, and gubernatorial candidate. Bailey, a long-time farmer from Southern Illinois, recently participated in an Only Citizens Vote protest in Orland Park. He joined the demonstration to advocate for the position that only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in Illinois. During this episode of Spotlight, Bailey discu...

This is part two of our two part series with Dr. Brad Wilcox from Illinois Family Institute’s 2025 worldview conference. Dr. Wilcox serves as director of the  National Marriage Project  & professor of sociology at the University of Virginia. He’s the author of several books including “ Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Form Strong Families, & Save Civilization .” In Pa...

Today we’re highlighting remarks from Dr. Brad Wilcox during the Illinois Family Institute’s 2025 Marriage & Family worldview conference, hosted by Belmont Bible Church in Downer’s Grove. Dr. Wilcox serves as director of the National Marriage Project & professor of sociology at the University of Virginia. He’s the author of several books including “ Get Marrie...

It’s the gay. . .movement that lies to the American public. They will accept if your child identifies as bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, gender queer, polyamory — but they won’t accept if a gay kid decides, ‘hey, I’m gonna leave this lifestyle.’ Peter LaBarbara is President of the Center for Morality & Americans for Truth, a national group dedicated to exp...

Anni Cyrus is a human rights activist and survivor of the Islamic regime in Iran living under Sharia. She was forced into a marriage by her father at the age of 13 & beaten & imprisoned several times before escaping to Turkey. Cyrus found her way to the United States and now, as a fully fledged American citizen, Anni is exposing the threat of Sharia through her organization, Live Up To Fre...

In this two for one podcast, you’ll hear remarks from Evangela Pringles, director of Pregnancy Aid Illinois during a 40 Days for Life Celebration, and from pastor Caesar LeFlore during the 2020 Rally for Jesus held on the campus of Cavlary Church in Orland Park. These two leaders touch on why advocating for life is so important, and how you can gain real peace to anchor you throughout any st...

Life activists are hoping President Trump’s signature on the Federal budget bill will lead to the downfall of Planned Parenthood. The Republican led spending blueprint denies access to Medicaid funding to organizations that commit abortions. While the legislation doesn’t mention Planned Parenthood by name, the abortion mill is facing deep cuts for at least a year in its $800 million in...

Recorded live from the 2025 Illinois Christian Homeschool Convention (ICHE), Monte Larrick converses with Abraham Hamilton III. Hamilton is a husband, Bible teacher, a national radio host & TV host , a lawyer & homeschool father who was a keynote speaker for ICHE’s 2025 Conference, themed “This We Believe.” Hamilton encourages listeners to prioritize homeschooling, becaus...

When we abandon the most basic of truths–man & woman–what do we have to stand on? Today we’re featuring a Spotlight interview conducted in 2023 with conservative icon and activist, Riley Gaines Barker. Riley is a 12x all-American collegiate swimmer, praised by President Trump for leading the fight for fairness, safetey & the protection of women in women’s sports. Ri...

“If Americans are going to reject abortion, they need to know what happens in an abortion. Who are the victims of abortion? What impact does it have on those mothers and fathers who choose abortion and on society as a whole.” – Anne Scheidler Standing on the side of a busy highway, Monte Larrick talks with Anne Scheidler, vice president of the pro-life action league during the or...

Illinois is the abortion capitol of the Midwest. Women from states that have safegaurds to protect babies are choosing the land of Lincoln for surgical abortions or, increasingly, aboriton drugs. Donna Williams is trying to counter that. As the executive director for PASS network for Life , she leads the pregnancy based care center in Tinley Park to protect and promote life.… Continue Readin...

Recording from the annual Illinois Christian Home Educator’s (ICHE) Convention at Olivet Nazarine University in Bourbonais, Monte Larrick conducts his annual interview with ICHE’s executive director, Kirk Smith.  … Continue Reading

Organizers contend that the Spring 40 Days for Life campaign drew record participation this year! 40 Days for Life is a local-based ministry aimed to end abortion through prayer, fasting, and community outreach and peaceful, all day vigils outside of abortion mills. Steve Karlen serves as the campaign director for 40 Days, where he trains and assists campaign leaders, co-hosts 40 Days for Life pod...

The End of Life Options act has been introduced to the Illinois General Assembly. It will allow doctors to perscribe death-inducing drugs to adult patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. If it becomes law, it can very easily be expanded. Today’s episode highlights remarks made by Alex Schadenberg during the 2023 Speakout IL conference. Schadenberg is an author and the executive director...

Monte & David welcome Dan Marquardt of We Love Police , a 501c3 that highlights the untold good of our police officers. You will find out how to best support your police department right where you are in your community.… Continue Reading

This week, Monte is joined by Illinois Family Institute’s David Smith to talk with Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois . They are an uncancelable force putting the spotlight on Illinois school districts to erase DEI initiatives and protect children from mental health screenings, graphic sex education and title IX violations.… Continue Reading

Today’s spotlight is on Dr. Mark Zumhagen and his presentation at Illinois Family Institute’s forum on Assisted Suicide, which was hosted by Lake County Right to Life. Dr. Zumhagen is an IFI board member and a family medicine physician with 4 decades of practice under his belt. In 2009, he co-founded Fearfully & Wonderfully Made in Orland Park, where he currently practices. In this...

It’s May madness time in the Illinois General Assembly, and on Spotlight today, we’re asking IFI lobbyist David Curtin what to expect our legislature to churn out this month. May madness is a term coined by Curtin to describe the chaos that ensues in Springfield before the lawmakers adjurn for the summer. Anything could happen.… Continue Reading

In this episode of Spotlight, IFI’s attorney breaks down the legal ramifications homeschoolers face if HB 2827 is passed, and how we can conquer it in court if it becomes law.… Continue Reading

Organizers are gearing up for the Fall 40 days for life prayer campaign after a successful spring effort that included a rally across from the planned parenthood facility in Aurora. Catharine Walker spoke with Steve Carlin at that prayer rally, and has some encouraging words for pro life prayer warriors.… Continue Reading

Illinois could legalize assisted suicide. The End of Life Options Act gives doctors the greenlight to perscribe death-causing drugs to adult patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. Life leaders warn that legal suicide in Illinois will eventually be expanded to cover people with non terminal conditions and even children. Following a testimony during a state Senate hearing in Chicago, Dr. Kevin...

A leader in the disability community has said that the End of Life Options Act puts disabled people at greater risk of being coerced into seeking assisted suicide. Riley Spreadbury, with the Disability Resource Center in Joliet , testified against assisted suicide before the State Senate committee, and shares her perspective with Spotlight in this episode.… Continue Reading

If HB 2827 passes, there are going to be additional bills introduced in subsequent years. ~ Will Estrada During the Illinois Christian Home Educator’s (ICHE) Cherry Pie Day in Springfield, IL, Monte Larrick asked Homeschool Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA)  Senior Counsel Will Estrada about the dangers of HB 2827. This episode includes Key points you can bring up with your lawmakers...

Illinois home educators are rallying against the “Homeschool Act.” HB 2827 will stifle IL homeschoolers with regulations that, if not fully complied with, will lead to hefty fines, and even jail time. Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) are helping to lead the charge against this legislation. Kirk Smith, executive director of ICHE joins Monte to talk about the consequences of the...