Spotlight

Aynaz “Anni” Cyrus is an Iranian-American investigative author and national security voice focused on the ideological and psychological strategies of Islamism and political Islam in the West. Her work examines how movements, institutions, and state actors deploy religious doctrine, narrative warfare, and moral inversion to influence Western policy, culture, and security. In this episode she talks...

Katy Faust is founder of Them Before Us , a foundation with one goal in mind: to protect the right of a child to their mother and father. She joins Dave Smith and Alyssa Sonnenburg on Spotlight for this episode regarding her new campaign, titled Greater Than . This is an episode you do not want to miss. For decades, science shows children do better when raised by their married mom and dad — a safe...

“Every baby made in the image of God irritates the devil” This podcast features Elaine Demoulos and Angela from Alliance Family Services discussing their pro-life work, the importance of holistic care, and how community support can make a difference in saving lives. … Continue Reading

In this special edition of IFI, we turn the Spotlight on our longtime host, Monte Larrick. Monte Larrick was Illinois Family Institute’s Media Director for over a decade, informing our constituents on Illinois topics with clear, concise and unique angles. He shares some untold stories of his longtime career covering politics for Moody radio.… Continue Reading

When we have laws in the U.S. that promote a biblical worldview, we vote for them. . . the policies are an overflow of what the Bible says, whether they pass or not – the truth is still the truth. ~ Dr. Greg Gifford Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith host today’s episode with a special guest on what should the Christian response be to SB 4832, which would define “transgenderism&#8...

We don’t want doctors and administrators profiting off of the destruction of a young child. ~ State Senator Andrew Chesney Spotlight host David Smith talks to two Illinois General Assembly members on legislation they have introduced to protect children against being mutilated by hospitals or prevented from receiving mental health treatment. State Representative Bill Hauter, M.D.  — the only...

Women are currently being told by the law that it is okay to kill their babies. That is unjust. We want to inform peoples’ conscience with a just law. God is very clear: you shall not murder. That applies to all human beings. ~ Pastor Johnson Michael Johnson is pastor of Grace Redeemer Church in Winfield , IL. Caesar LeFlore is pastor of Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham , IL.&#8230...

If the church remains silent, you do not have a polity, a people, a citizentry that is informed by the word of God. . .the church must speak the truth in love, not with arrogance, going back to the gospel of Christ saying there is a God in heaven who will forgive you, who will gladly reconcile you to Himself. In this episode of Spotlight, David Smith talks with two Illinois pastors about SB 3572 ,...

State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) has informed us that he will be introducing legislation in Springfield to abolish abortion in Illinois. Not limit it, not cap it, abolish  it. In this episode, David E. Smith hosts Alyssa Sonnenburg and Jenna Smith to discuss the reality of abortion in the state of Illinois and how likely it will be to push through a bill to criminalize abortion in a Democrat...

Riley Gaines Barker 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. Riley’s life was drastically changed when the NCAA a biological male to compete against her and was allowed to dress and undress in her locker rooms. Riley refused to stay quiet about it, and remained firm throughout t...

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago, took questions from the audience at an IFI Forum in 2019, and his answers still hold value for Christians troubled by the state of the culture over 6 years later. Get Dr. Lutzer’s book “The Church in Babylon” here !    … Continue Reading

This is a two-for-one episode! In the first segment, we hear from JennyBeth Martin from the Only Citzens Vote Coalition on why only Americans should participate in American elections. In the second segment, we hear from Larry Elder on the importance of the film Uncle Tom II … Continue Reading

Remarks from Dr. Frank Turek is the episode for today’s Spotlight. Dr. Turek is the author of “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” and is host of the podcast of the same title. He is president of CrossExamined , an apologetics ministry, and he spoke at IFI’s 2017 worldview conference on why Christians need to be involved in politics. To attend IFI’s upco...

In this episode, we are highlighting a presentation given at IFI’s 2025 annual Worldview Conference, which was held at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove. Scott Phelps, head of the  Abstinence and Marriage Partnership organization, shares the Success Sequence program with the audience in the first half of the program, and in the second, demonstrates how the sex education programs in gover...

The school systems aren’t failing, they are performing exactly as they were designed to perform and they were never intended to produce not only Christian children [with] Biblical worldviews, but they also aren’t there to teach them how to be logical or how to be learners. The Rev. Caesar LeFlore wears many hats. He is the pastor of the Spirit of Liberty Church of God in Markham, serve...

It is so important that when you hear that people can’t come back out of this lifestyle that you actually see a witness that says you can. And if you come to a relationship with Jesus Christ, you will find Christ and you will be redeemed and you will be restored ~ Walt Heyer This episode features remarks given by Walt Heyer at IFI’s 2019 worldview conference. Walt Heyer is a one time c...

The Spotlight is shone on David Smith in this episode, the executive director for Illinois Family Institute. IFI’s annual Faith, Family & Freedom banquet just took place on November 7, 2025, and in his address to 700 attendees, Smith outlined how IFI is helping Christians fight spiritual battles in the lions den of Illinois.    … Continue Reading

In March of this year, IFI hosted our annual worldview conference at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove. The theme was restoring a Biblical perspective on marriage and family. This episode of Spotlight features one of our keynote speakers from our worldview conference. Scott Phelps heads up the Abstinence and Marriage Partnership organization, and during his presentation, pointed out that the b...

Pastor Caesar LeFlore hosts today’s episode, directing the spotlight on pastor Courtney Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist church .… Continue Reading

We’re featuring biblical perspectives on immigration in this episode of Spotlight. Dr. Shando Valdez presented this lecture during a Christian Emergency League townhall meeting at New Hope Community Church in Palatine, IL. Among other comments, Valdez points out the realities surrounding immigration in the U.S. Dr. Valdez is a political consultant, clergy organizer, and senior pastor at New...

A special episode of Spotlight today! Pastor Caesar LeFlore hosts Cynthia Morales with Pro-Life Champions to discuss a new video that challenges the pro-abortion narrative that pregnancy care centers are “fake clinics.” She also points out how these centers have evolved over the years.… Continue Reading

Illinois Family Institute recently hosted a forum at Belmont Bible Church in Downers Grove, and this episode of Spotlight features remarks from Jedd Davis at aformentioned event. Jedd Davis is the IL 75th State District Representative, has a civil engineering degree, and served as board president for Yorkville’s Parkview Christian Academy. In this commentary, Davis shares insider stories fro...

IFI lobbyist David Curtin provides insights on the legislature’s fall Veto session . How will state lawmakers may respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk. He also comments on mental health screening in government schools, home education, and efforts to reduce energy costs in Illinois.… Continue Reading

This episode features highlights from an interview with Dr. Voddie Baucham, which took place during the 2023 Black Conservative Summit in Tinley Park. Dr. Baucham passed away at the age of 56 just this past September, and will be greatly missed by the staff of Illinois Family Institute. He leaves behind a wife and 9 children. Dr. Baucham, an American pastor and renowned author, was dean of the sch...

Today’s episode is a presentation given by Dr. Frank Turek during Illinois Family Institute’s 2017 Worldview Conference at the Village Church of Barrington. Dr. Turek is an author of 7 books, the host of the podcast “ I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist ,” & Founder & President of CrossExamined , an Apologetics-based ministry. Dr. Turek was a close frie...