Action Banquet

Keynote Speaker

Raymond Arroyo

Lead Anchor at EWTN News

Raymond Arroyo is an internationally known, award-winning journalist, producer, and New York Times Bestselling author. He is a Fox News Contributor, co-host of Fox Nation’s Laura & Raymond, and Editorial Advisor for Fox’s top-rated, The Ingraham Angle.

As founding News Director, Managing Editor and Lead Anchor for EWTN News, he is seen in more than 350 million homes on six continents each week and heard on more than 500 AM/FM affiliates and a stand-alone Sirius channel throughout the US. Mr. Arroyo established EWTN News and The World Over Live in 1996, which he hosts from Washington DC.

Master of Ceremonies

Jeanne Ives

Host of The Real Story

Jeanne Ives served three terms as an Illinois State Representative. First elected in 2012, Representative Ives demonstrated not only a willingness to lead on difficult issues and question powerful House leaders, but also an insightful understanding of policy. In 2018, she was enlisted by Illinois families and business owners, as well as legislative colleagues to run a campaign for Governor after incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner betrayed his campaign promises to fiscally reform government and pursue no social agenda. 

Most recently, Jeanne hosts AM560 The Answer‘s The Real Story. 

Jeanne has lived in Wheaton for 29 years with her husband, Paul (also a USMA Class of 1987 graduate), and their 5 children. The tradition continues with three sons serving in the military.

Opening Prayer

Rev. Keith Duff

Executive Pastor at Village Bible Church

Keith and his family have been part of Village Bible Church since 1997 and has served as one of our pastors since 2005. At Village, Keith focuses on developing and leading the pastoral staff, as well as new direction and entrepreneurial ministry ventures.

He and his wife Kate have been married for 28 years and reside in North Aurora with their son, Max , and daughters, Phoebe and Vivian.

Keith has studied at Wheaton College and DePaul University. Prior to joining the staff at Village, Keith spent 12 years in the corporate world as Vice President of the Lemstone Christian Stores retail franchise and served at Village in various capacities, including deacon and elder roles. He enjoys his family, snowboarding with his kids, backpacking, biking, crazy restaurants, theater, electronic gadgets of any kind and the Windy City.

Welcome Address

Rosemary Hackett

Board President

Rosemary first became involved with IRL many years ago when
her mother, Mary Anne Hackett, served as its president. Prior
to leading the board at IRL, Rosemary volunteered at Midtown Educational Foundation’s Metro Achievement Center. She has held a variety of Senior Information Technology positions at several Chicago-based companies.

Visioncasting

Mary Kate Zander

IRL Executive Director

Mary Kate Zander (formerly Knorr) returned in January of 2023 to her former post as Illinois Right to Life’s Executive Director – a role that she previously held from 2018 to 2020. Prior to her work at IRL. Mary Kate was an operative on numerous state and federal political campaigns. Since then, she has spoken before thousands on the need for abortion restrictions in Illinois. Presently, Mary Kate lives in Brookfield with her husband, Will. They’re expecting their first child – a baby boy – in October.

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Closing Prayer

Rev. Thomas Koys

Pastor of St. James at Sag Bridge

Father Thomas Koys is the pastor of St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. A longtime Chicagoland resident, Father Koys attended St. Mary Elementary in Riverside, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and Niles College Seminary at Loyola University. He went on to receive two master’s degrees from Catholic University of America and from University of St. Mary of the Lake. Father Koys was ordained in 1985 and has become an important voice in the Catholic community. He’s also an active advocate for pro-life, pro-family issues across the state.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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