CHICAGO, January 25, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A coalition of nearly 40 pro-life organizations will host the annual SpeakOut Illinois conference on January 29 in Oak Brook, Ill. Led by the Pro-Life Action League, the event is in its twentieth year, and will welcome Ken Blackwell of the Family Research Council as its keynote speaker.
SpeakOut Illinois is a coalition of 37 pro-life organizations from across the state, including the Pro-Life Action League, crisis pregnancy centers, the pro-life law firm the Thomas More Society, politically active pro-life groups and religiously affiliated organizations such as Lutherans for Life and Catholic Citizens of Illinois.
“Although we operate under different names on a daily basis, all of our participants and sponsors are united under the banner of life,” said Ann Scheidler, Vice President of the Pro-Life Action League and chair of the SpeakOut Illinois committee.
Concurrent with SpeakOut Illinois is TeenSpeak, a conference for teens designed to help them put their pro-life convictions into action. The teen program will feature Linda Courie, a former employee of Planned Parenthood who is now a pro-life advocate. TeenSpeak is sponsored by Generations for Life, the youth outreach division of the Pro-Life Action League.
This year’s breakout session topics include:
- Sharing the Pro-Life Message, led by Eric Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League
- In God’s Hands: End of Life Issues
- Equipping Your Church as a Gospel-Driven Champion of Life
- How to Influence Public Policy for Life
At this year’s conference the Henry Hyde Life Leadership Award will be presented to David Bereit of 40 Days for Life.
“This annual gathering of individuals and organizations committed to life at every stage is essential to strengthen the pro-life voice in Illinois and make an impact on the movement for life,” said Scheidler.
For more information, the day’s schedule, and to register, visit the SpeakOut Illinois website.