Illinois

Dear friend,

Good news! State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-District 109) has filed House Bill 341, which “provides that a school board may allow the motto ‘In God We Trust’ to be displayed in a conspicuous location inside or outside each school building”.

Co-sponsors of the bill are Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-District 89) and Rep. Chris Miller (R-District 110).

Earlier this month after Rep. Bailey was sworn in, he stated, “One of my first bills to sponsor will be to permit schools to prominently display the words ‘In God We Trust’ just like our American currency has on every dollar bill.” And last week Bailey said the current political climate shows a need for a return to Christian principles. “As a God-fearing Christian, I believe that the lack of such is the problem in our country today.” Is this not refreshing?! 

Rep. Andrew Chesney says the bill would protect schools who do not wish to use the phrase. “It doesn’t force schools to do this. It just simply acknowledges that some may want to do this, and there might be some uncertainty if they can do this without the threat of lawsuits, so we hope that this bill would help clarify that.”

Several states, including Florida, Louisiana, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia, and Arkansas, have passed bills to have the National Motto displayed in public schools throughout their state.  

Please take action:

• Please contact your state representative and urge him/her to support of HB 341 SCH CD, In God We Trust Display. And, ask him/her to sign on as a co-sponsor as well. Click here to find out who your representative is and how to contact him/her. Be sure to let your representative know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.
• Forward this alert to your family, friends, as well as, churches in your area.

Please join me in prayer that:

• There will be a return to Christian principles in our nation.
• School-aged children will see the National Motto displayed on their school buildings.
• School-aged children will be taught the truth about American’s Christian heritage.
• Illinois legislators will support HB 341.

History of IN GOD WE TRUST

“Our National Motto has a long history, and it is deeply interwoven into our heritage. The National Motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ was created by Act of Congress and signed into law on July 30, 1956, by President Eisenhower. The National Motto was affirmed in 2002, and then in 2011 the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly (396 to 9) passed a resolution reaffirming the National Motto and encouraging the public display of this motto in all public buildings and public schools. Numerous state legislatures have passed similar laws and are encouraging schools and state offices to place a poster with the National Motto in every classroom.” – Delbra Pratt, State Director, Illinois Prayer Caucus Network 

America was founded upon Judeo/Christian precepts. Belief in God is an important part of our identity as Americans.

Illinois native, President Ronald Reagan, warned about Christian complacency.  We would be wise to heed his words:

• “Without God, a democracy cannot and will not long endure.”
• “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
• “If we ever forget that we are One Nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

Bottom line: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 32:12) 

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

Contact me today to find out how you can get more involved with CWA of Illinois.

• Inquire if there is a Prayer/Action Chapter in your area and/or find out how to start one.
• If someone forwarded this e-alert to you, and you would like to be on our e-alert list, send me your email address and I will be happy to add you.  You will receive legislative, project and event notices.
• Donate to CWA of Illinois.  Our state is run exclusively through donations.

Dear friend,

On the 46th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, Illinois’ Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker held a news conference at a Chicago Planned Parenthood office signing an executive order instructing “all government health insurance policies comply with the intent of abortion coverage set by Public Act 100-0538”, commonly known as HB40.  HB40, the tax-payer abortion bill, was signed into law by former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and went into effect January 1, 2018.

Gov. Pritzker reiterated portions of his executive order at the news conference, “Today, on the 46th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I’m proud to declare under my administration, the State of Illinois will be the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to guaranteeing women’s reproductive rights … all women should have access to reproductive health in Illinois, regardless of their employer.”  

Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Illinois is disappointed that Gov. Pritzker would deliberately sign an executive order at a Planned Parenthood facility on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade concerning a bill that is already law. As the nation’s largest women’s public policy organization, CWA of Illinois would prefer to see laws passed and executive orders written on issues that protect life and promote and protect women’s health.

Please pray that:

• Pastors and Christians will rally for the life of the unborn.
• Pro-life candidates will be elected to office in 2020.
• Women who are considering abortion will choose to bring their babies to full term. 

Take action:

• Contact Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office and respectfully tell him you do not agree with his administration’s commitment to be the most progressive state in the nation when it comes to guaranteeing women’s reproductive rights – a “right” that takes the life of another human being. Be sure to let him know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.
• Forward this alert to everyone you know — especially your pastor and members of your congregation.

Please join me in prayer, “Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to have concern for the unborn and forgive us when we have been complacent on the issue of abortion. Amen.” 

Blessings,

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

Contact me today to find out how you can get more involved with CWA of Illinois.

• Join a Prayer/Action group.
• If someone forwarded this e-alert to you, and you would like to be on our e-alert list, send me your email address and I will be happy to add you.  You will receive legislative, project and event notices.
• Donate to CWA of Illinois.  Our state is run exclusively through donations.

Dear friend,

We are excited to announce that we now have enough encouragers within our Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) project to cover all the elected officials and members of the General Assembly! Volunteers are still though needed to encourage and pray for the 102 County Board/Commission Chairmen. Might you consider being an encourager to one or more of them?

EAL is a project of encouragement and prayer for our Illinois elected officials, members of the Illinois General Assembly, and all Illinois county board and commission chairpersons. It is not an expression of political or public policy views.

• CWA provides 12 pre-addressed postcards that contain a Scripture verse, Founding Father quote, and prayer per legislator.
• Encouragers are asked to send a postcard once a month and pray earnestly for their assigned legislator. The EAL program will begin once the legislators’ contact information and committee assignments are completed.

Participants are welcome to pray for and encourage more than one legislator.

If you would like to participate in the CWA of Illinois EAL Project, please call me at 815-297-2918 or email director@illinois.cwfa.org.  Be sure to specify the number of County Board/Commission Chairmen you would like to pray and encourage.  Please provide your name and address to send your EAL packet to.

Please Take Action:

• Prayerfully consider volunteering for this important ministry.
• Recruit your friends and family to Encourage-A-Legislator.

Prayer moves the hand of God in the affairs of this nation!  In fact, we are commanded to pray for those in authority. 

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior…” – 1 Timothy 2:1 

Blessings,

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

Dear CWA of Illinois Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! This past year we had legislative victories and defeats as we sought to uphold the Biblical values we hold so dear. Please click here to read about all the Lord has done through the ministry of CWA of Illinois in 2018.  

Blessings, 

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org
 

State Directors Op-Ed in The Western Journal.

Dear Friend,

The 2018 Midterms are over with new and familiar legislators being seated for the upcoming 101^st Illinois General Assembly.  Only prayer and action will turn the hearts of our legislators in 2019. Here’s how you can help!

We are seeking intercessors for the CWA of Illinois Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) Project.

EAL is a project of encouragement and prayer for our Illinois elected officials, members of the Illinois General Assembly, and all Illinois county board and commission chairpersons. It is not an expression of political or public policy views.  It involves three easy steps:

1. CWA provides 12 pre-addressed postcards that contain a Scripture verse, Founding Father quote, and prayer.

2. Participants sign, stamp, and send a postcard once a month starting in February and pray earnestly for their assigned legislator.

3. Participants are welcome to pray for and encourage more than one legislator.

Special thanks to all those who participated in the EAL project during the 2018 legislative session.  We received several messages from legislators expressing their gratitude for the encouragement and prayers.

If you would like to participate in the CWA of Illinois EAL Project, please call me at 815-297-2918 or email director@illinois.cwfa.org. Be sure to specify the number of legislators you would like to pray and encourage.  Please provide your name address, and email address. 

The Illinois EAL project cannot exist without funding.  If you feel led, please donate to CWA of Illinois.  CWA of Illinois is volunteer led.  All donations given to CWA of Illinois will fund the state’s projects and initiatives.  Click here to donate today, or feel free to send a check to the address below.  Any amount is appreciated!

Prayer moves the hand of God in the affairs of this nation!  In fact, we are commanded to pray for those in authority. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior…” – 1 Timothy 2:1 

We are looking for your commitment today! Your packet will be mailed to you once the new General Assembly committee assignments are made and the legislators’ contact information is secured in early February.

Also, visit our webpage to find out how you can become involved in CWA of Illinois.

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
1255 W. Empire Street
Freeport, IL  61032
(815) 297-2918
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org

Dear friend,

As you know, we are at a breaking point in history where the rule of law and civil discourse are being threatened by some politicians and radical activists who insist on getting their way, no matter what. Some are actually inciting that violence to be directed at those with whom they disagree.

It is up to you and me to stand up to this mob mentality by praying against these malicious tactics and voting this November.  Will it be mob rule or the rule of law?!

There are three simple steps that can have a significant impact on our state and nation’s future. Please join us in carrying them out. 

#1 Pray
As a Christian organization, we are first and foremost committed to prayer. As November 6th approaches, will you join us in praying for our state and nation? Please join us by setting a time daily to pray for this next election. Will you do that? Set an alarm on your phone, your computer, put a sticky note on your mirror, whatever works.

# 2 Encourage
As a Christian organization, we are committed to educating and encouraging others to vote. Will you join us in this? Encourage friends and family through Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.

#3 Vote
It is our duty, as citizens and as Christians, to participate in the process by both praying and voting. The institution of government was ordained by God as seen in Romans 13:1-4.

In Illinois, early voting starts 15 days before and ends 1 day prior to Election Day. Any registered voter may apply for absentee ballot and vote by mail.  Deadline is 1 day before Election Day in person and 5 days by mail. For more information go to elections.il.gov/.

State Board of Elections Website

Voter Guides:

• iVoterGuide.org
• votesmart.org

Two push cards to freely print and distribute:

• https://concernedwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ILearlyGOTVCard.pdf
• https://concernedwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Push-Card-General-IL.pdf (This one is great for distributing in churches!)

Party Platform Comparison (print double-sided 14” X 8 ½”)

Together we will impact our state and nation’s future – Pray, Encourage, and Vote!

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org 
il.cwfa.org

State Directors letter to the editor posted in the Journal Standard.

Dear Friend,

We are in a spiritual battle for the soul of America!

We are reminded: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:10-13).

Attempts by the Democratic Party, the liberal media, and pundits to discredit and thwart the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh increase with the latest being an accusation concerning an alleged sexual misconduct as a teenager.  I would never want to overlook, diminish, or accept the abuse of women in any form. Yet, the evidence before us suggests this accusation just does not fit with the well-attested character of this man. Read Penny Nance’s excellent response to this allegation on usatoday.com, Kavanaugh, Too? Christine Blasey Ford’s Account is Missing Key Details of Assault.)

For the eight years that Obama was in power, the Democratic Party, knowing their agenda and ideology would not pass muster in the legislature, appointed liberal judges to legislate from the bench.  This is one of the main reasons our nation finds itself in such a quandary.

This nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles.  It is grounded in truth, and only by adhering to God’s truth will our nation remain free. That is why the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh and the election of conservatives to legislative offices on all levels is so important.  Having an individual that respects the constitution is crucial; it will determine the direction of our country for generations to come.

It’s time to pray. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord … and who labors fervently in prayer. The greatest force for change on behalf of our families and country is indeed prayer and the responsibilities that come with our citizenship in a free country. All the resources of God Almighty are at our disposal, and He rules in all the affairs of men, and nothing is too hard for Him.

“Prayer is an effort of will.”  ~ Oswald Chambers 

Pray:

• Pray for our U.S. Senators, Dick Durbin, and Tami Duckworth. Pray that the schemes of those attempting to discredit Kavanaugh would be thwarted. Pray for the Senate as a whole, may Judge Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed.
• Pray for President Trump and Vice President Pence. Pray that the Spirit will bestow upon them every spiritual gift that is needed to govern our nation.  May they look to God for wisdom, courage and strength.
• Pray for our legislators. Pray for laws to reflect Biblical principles and follow the intent of the United States Constitution.  For God-given wisdom in legislation and courts. For righteous leaders with integrity.
• Pray that God’s Will be done in the upcoming elections. Pray for a safe, honest election and that ballots cast will be credited to whom it was intended.  Pray for righteous leaders with integrity to be elected to office.  Pray that Christians will uphold their duty to vote and that they will vote their values, not their party.

It’s time to take action. James speaks of the importance of taking action when commending heroes of the faith, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (2:24).

Act: Even if you’ve already contacted our U.S. Senators, Dick Durbin (D) and Tami Duckworth (D), be sure to both call and email their offices again today.  Ask them to vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Let them know that you still support the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh and that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D): email and call (202) 224-2152
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D): email and call (202) 224-2854

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” – Ronald Reagan

The time is NOW to take our stand!  America depends upon us!

Blessings,

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
815-297-2918

If you desire to help us continue our mission to establish God’s righteousness in Illinois state government, please donate online.  Or, send a contribution directly to CWA of Illinois at 1255 W. Empire Street, Freeport, IL  61032.  Write your check out to “Concerned Women for America” and put “CWA of IL” on the memo line.

Please visit the CWA of Illinois web page to see how you can become involved on a state level.

Dear friend,

CWA of Illinois stands with President Donald J. Trump’s choice of Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy’s vacancy at the United States Supreme Court! 

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, issued the following statement: 

“This is an historic moment for the United States. This is why conservative women voted overwhelmingly for Donald J. Trump – to ensure that a proper constitutional balance is restored to our nation’s highest court. President Trump made a promise to the American people and, just as with the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch, he is delivering on that promise. Judge Brett Kavanaugh is abundantly qualified to sit on the bench of the United States Supreme Court. He is among the best and brightest jurists on the appellate courts with a reputation of being fair and impartial in his decisions. Judge Kavanaugh is known as a judge who respects the Constitution as written, refusing to legislate from the bench. This is what we need at this time on the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Concerned Women for America of Illinois stands with our CEO in support of our president and Judge Kavanaugh. Through prayer and action we will fight the good fight of faith against any and all attacks designed to stop the will of God from being fulfilled in this historic time. As Penny also stated, “This is not just about us; this is about our children and their children. This is about the future of this nation for generations to come, and we plan on giving everything we have in order to leave them a Supreme Court that will protect their liberties and uphold our Constitution.” Our leadership in Washington, D.C., has done their homework and has deemed Judge Kavanaugh an outstanding choice.

Please Pray: 1) for God to give CWA and the many who stand with them wisdom to effectively address the opposition; 2) that the U.S. Senate will confirm him expeditiously; 3) that Judge Kavanaugh will fulfill his role as another great justice, defending families and protecting the lives of our children.

Please Take Action:

1.     Email your U.S. Senators and let them know that you support Judge Kavanaugh as your choice for Supreme Court Justice.  Ask them how they plan to vote.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Illinois.  Click here to easily email your Senators.  Fill in the column on the right.

2.     If time allows, please call them as well.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D): (202) 224-2152

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (R): (202) 224-2854

3.     Forward this on to others and encourage them to not miss out on this opportunity to both pray and act during this time in American history. 

“The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).

Click here for more information on the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh. 

If you desire to help us continue our mission to establish God’s righteousness in Illinois state government, please donate online.  Or, you may also send your contribution directly to CWA of Illinois, 1255 W. Empire Street, Freeport, IL  61032.  Write your check out to “Concerned Women for America” and put “CWA of IL” on the memo line.

Blessings, 

Debbie Leininger
State Director
CWA of Illinois
director@illinois.cwfa.org
il.cwfa.org