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Culture

Pritzker weighs suicide bill

November 4, 2025 By Eric Reed

Illinois Capitol Dome

Springfield | Gov. J.B. Pritzker seemed surprised by passage of an assisted suicide bill for terminally ill patients when pressed by a group of reporters this week. “I’m looking at it, Pritzker said in Chicago Monday. “It was something that I didn’t expect and didn’t know was going to be voted on, so we’re examining […]

Huckabee sees Mid-East ‘reset’

October 13, 2025 By Eric Reed

Bar Kuperstein

Gaza | As tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians from Gaza formed a human train returning to their war-ravaged home, President Trump declared a new beginning in terms that sounded almost biblical, and a former Baptist pastor now diplomat predicted a ‘reset’ not only for Israel, but the whole Middle East. “After so many years […]

Kirk’s death hits home for Illinois eyewitness

September 14, 2025 By Eric Reed

Source: KSL News Utah via Wiki Commons

A young man from Illinois was sitting in the front row when Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. He saw everything. “I wasn’t necessarily drawn to that rally because of the politics,” he said. “There’s a lot of hate generated with debating and from both sides. But I just wanted to support a Christian man […]

Illinois native Charlie Kirk mourned by SBC leaders

September 11, 2025 By Illinois Baptist Staff

Charlie Kirk

Southern Baptist leaders from across the nation responded to the shooting death of political activist and influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah student rally Sept. 10. And from Illinois, pro-life leaders pointed to his Illinois origins while mourning his death. Kirk was shot by a gunman atop an administration building at Utah Valley University, about […]

Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson dies

August 21, 2025 By The Baptist Paper

James Dobson

James C. Dobson — founder of Focus on the Family, one of the world’s largest faith-based organizations — died Aug. 21. He was 89. Dobson founded Colorado-based Focus on the Family in 1977 with the vision of strengthening marriages and parenting. He wrote more than 70 books, many of which are still widely read today. His […]

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Featured Columns

Warning: Deadly serious, but fun

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

Stock image

Trey’s new family

Valarie Veteto

“I’m not religious.” She spoke the words as soon as I pulled a chair beside her hospital bed. “That’s okay,” I replied, unsure if anyone had ever been so direct. I whispered an arrow prayer to the Lord for wisdom: Please help me say the right thing, Lord—Your words, not mine. She reclined in the […]

The real Christmas angels

Melissa Spoelstra

An angel accented the top of our family’s Christmas tree each year when I was growing up. This regal figure featured a golden gown, wings and a halo. Angels have become a common part of Christmas décor, but they are rarely portrayed accurately according to Scripture. Angels are not winged cherubs playing harps and sitting […]

More Columns

Deadly serious, but fun

Lisa Misner

Last year, Illinois ranked 17th on Wallet Hub’s list of best states to live in based on 51 key indicators. Health and safety were among those factors, of which Illinois ranked 30th. But we’re a fun state. Illinois’ family fun rank was listed at 2nd. Still, there was a catch. A fun state to live […]

News

Retirement

Farewells in Rehoboth, Louisville

Illinois Baptist Staff

Rehoboth Baptist Association saw two of its top ministry leaders retire at the end of 2025, Director of Missions (DOM) Joe Lawson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Flowers.  Both served over 25 years with Flowers joining the association in November 1999 and Lawson becoming DOM in May 2000. They retired on December 31. Lawson is also […]

Consultants work in 5 regions

News stories in the new year that we’re watching for new developments

More News Stories

Mission

“While we have not yet arrived at the destination we envision, I believe we are clearly headed in the right direction,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood to trustees in the May 22 plenary session. IMB Photo

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Leslie Caldwell

Richmond | International Mission Board trustees approved 65 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 21-22 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:08 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. The event will […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

More Mission Stories

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