Illinois General Assembly

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Action Alert For Illinois

January 4, 2023 by

Anti-gun politicians in Illinois are pushing hard for HB-5855. This bill includes a magazine ban which includes possession as well as a ban on the sale of new “assault weapons”.

From the Illinois State Rifle Association:

WANT TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD on HB-5855?

Find your IL legislators at the link below:

elections.il.gov

1. Call your IL State Legislators at their State and Local Offices

    about HB-5855! 

2. State your name.

3. State your address.

4. Let them know you are a concerned constituent of theirs

5. “I am calling you to request that you vote NO on HB5855 or any similar bill that takes away my Second Amendment rights. 

Thank you for your consideration.”

Todd Vandermyde, former NRA lobbyist in Illinois and the guy who knows more about gun laws in Illinois than anybody, has produced a series of YouTube videos on the bill. Included is his testimony as a private citizen before the Illinois State House.

The most recent:

From December 30th:

Todd’s testimony to the committee hearing on December 20th:

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Movement On School Safety In Illinois

October 27, 2019 by 3 Comments

The Illinois Association of School Boards’ Resolution Committee is recommending passage of a school safety resolution backing voluntary armed school staff. The measure will be voted on at the Joint Annual Conference to be held November 22nd through 24th in Chicago. IASB represents 98% of the school districts in the state of Illinois.

The resolution entitled Student Safety states:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Illinois Association of School Boards shall support and advocate for legislation which provides local school boards the option of developing Student Safety and Protection Plans which allow voluntary district employees, in any capacity, the ability to carry a concealed firearm on district property, provided the employee has a valid Illinois FOID card, holds a certified Illinois Concealed Carry License, has completed all additional trainings and certifications set forth by the respective school board, one of which MUST include yearly certified Active Shooter Training. Only district employees who fulfill all requirements listed and receive Superintendent and Board approval would be eligible as an active and armed part of the Student Safety and Protection Plan.

The resolution was submitted by Mercer County School District 404. As part of their rationale for passage of this resolution, they pointed out that their district has 5 school building in three different towns spread out over 378 square miles. They go on to add:

The districts in our state should be allowed to determine what is best for them, rather than leaving the determination to those in Springfield who do not know or understand communities outside their own.

The Resolutions Committee agreed and noted that rural school districts do not have “the fast response times of emergency responders in urban and suburban areas.” They went on to point out the lag times can be substantial due to both geography and resources. This plus the fact that the decision on armed school staff would be left to local discretion were the primary reasons that they urged passage.

The Daily Northwestern reported that the IASB delegate for the Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Joseph Halipern, opposes firearms in schools but did recognize it is as a concern for rural school districts.

“The district and Resolution Committee’s rationale for putting (the resolution) in speaks to the diversity of school districts in Illinois, and it makes a lot of sense,” Hailpern said. “Districts in rural communities have a very different lived experience regarding access to police, proximity to police and response times.”

Halipern serves on the District 65 Board of Education and is principal of Braeside Elementary School in Highland Park located in District 112.

A similar resolution was voted down last year by the IASB delegates.

The issue really comes down to the fact that rural school districts are different that large urban and suburban school districts. They generally have a smaller tax base, less resources, have slower emergency response times, and are less anti-gun. They are miles – not mere blocks – away from police or sheriff’s departments.

The sad thing is that even if the IASB passes this Student Safety resolution at their Joint Annual Conference it won’t get through the Illinois General Assembly. Even if that unlikely event were to happen, Gov. J. B. Pritzker (D-IL), would veto the bill and school safety be damned if it means armed school staff.

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Illinois Governor Issues Amendatory Veto Of Assault Weapons Bill

May 15, 2018 by 1 Comment

Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-IL) issued an amendatory veto of Illinois HB 1468. An amendatory veto is when the governor replaces language in a bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly with his own language. The General Assembly has three options. First, do nothing and the bill will die. Second, override the veto with a three-fifths vote in each house and the original language becomes law. Finally, pass the law with the amended language with a simple majority.

IllinoisCarry has an extensive post on the amendatory veto which I am posting below. It does contains things that would be objectionable in a more pro-gun state but are seen as a compromise in Illinois. This would include things like a bumpstock and trigger crank ban as well as 72 hour waiting period on all gun sales.

From IllinoisCarry with links to their discussion forum and Gov. Rauner’s veto message:

Gov.
Rauner issued an amendatory veto yesterday of HB1468. The bill sent to
the Governor’s desk 60 days ago with a veto proof majority would have
codified into law, for the first time in IL history, a broad brush
definition of ‘assault weapons’. As we had hoped, he stripped the
‘assault’ language out of the bill and instead opted for a 72 hr.
waiting period on all gun sales rather than risk law abiding gun owners
getting caught up in a felony trick bag set up by anti-Second Amendment
democrats. In a surprising move, the amendatory veto also included
instituting the death penalty for mass killers, freed up local revenue
to fund resource officers and mental health workers in our schools, a
ban on bump stocks, and set the framework for limiting people who are a
danger to themselves or others from having access to firearms. 
With
the veto, the Governor protects Illinois gun owners from a  gun
grabbing scheme which would have made firearm restraining orders easy to
obtain, virtually no-penalty for false testimony, and taking firearms
away from nearly anyone by almost anybody for any reason. With the
amendatory veto, it becomes a roadblock with a  felony penalty for false
testimony,  prevents vindictive grudges being used to take firearms
from lawful gun owners while providing a process to curb mentally ill
respondents – like the Parkland High School and Waffle House killers –
who are a danger to themselves or others from legally possessing
firearms . It also provides a clear and timely process for restoration
of  rights when a person is no longer a danger.
The full text of the veto can be viewed here.  Discussion of the veto can be found on IllinoisCarry’s discussion forum.
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Gun Day Wednesday In Illinois

February 28, 2018 by

A number of gun related bills may be acted upon today in the Illinois General Assembly. Both Illinois Carry and the Illinois State Rifle Association have issued alerts. Speaker Mike Madigan has a number of “shell” bills which can, and probably will, be filled up with anti-gun legislation. It is time to call your state rep and state senator if you live in Illinois.

From ISRA:

Monday, these Mike Madigan shell bills
from last year were given new life, as Mike Madigan’s gun grabbing
minions fulfill their mission to be pawns in Madigan’s “Gun Day”
Wednesday, TODAY February 28 by giving each of the shell bills a
brand-new anti-gun amendment The bills are HB1465, HB1467, HB1468,HB1469
and HB1664, and they all passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on
a partisan 8 to 5 vote.

The bills are:
HB1465 – Shell bill turned into Semi-auto age restriction and ban – Michelle Mussman

HB1467 – Bans a Bump Stock and bans any firearm modifications – Marty Moylan

HB1468 – Sets a three day waiting period for purchase of a semi-auto rifle – Jonathan Carroll

HB1469
– Magazine Ban – Also bans protective safety clothing, like meat
carvers’ gloves and steel-toe boots and body armor. – Dan Burke

And finally, commented on by ISRA Lobbyists and select Law
Enforcement insiders as the worst written legislation ever seen in
Illinois,
HB1664 – Establishes an anonymous tip line to bring SWAT teams to your home to scoop up you and your firearm.   Deb Conroy

Remember that all of these legislators are beholden to Madigan to
carry these bills, or they get no campaign “support” for the fall.  But
these representatives already hate that you have the freedom to own
firearms, so for them this is no stretch.  They want to take that
freedom away, they have been awaiting the opportunity.

Please call your Illinois State Representatives today, starting at
8:30 am and ask that they oppose all these bills.  Don’t stop there,
tell your neighbors and friends about this attack on our freedom, let
them know to make the calls as well.

Please use the link below to identify and get contact information for
your Illinois State Representative and Illinois State Senator, then
keep that information handy.  There are now floor fights on several
fronts in Springfield in attempts to take away your gun rights, you will
be asked to call your legislators several times this week.

http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/addressfinder.aspx

From Illinois Carry:

Emergency Call to Action!
 
Witness Slips and Phone Calls Needed!
 
Four
anti-gun bills were filed in the Illinois House today and are scheduled
to be heard in Committee on 2/28/2018.  Don’t delay!  File Witness
Slips opposing the amendment (HFA1) on all
four bills immediately!
 
 
Remember to log in to your account first, if you have one!

File Witness Slips Now!
 
To
avoid having to complete each field manually, Log on to your ILGA
Dashboard (or Create a New Account if you have not already done so) then
return to this email and click on
the links for each witness slip. If you do not wish to create an
account, simply click on each witness slip link and complete the
required fields manually:
 
I,
IDENTIFICATION: Enter your personal information. Enter “NA” for the
Firm/Business or Agency and Title fields unless you are officially
representing an organization.
 
II. REPRESENTATION: Enter “Myself” unless representing an organization.
 
III.
POSITION: Unless instructed otherwise for a particular bill leave the
description field at its default value “Original Bill”. Indicate your
position by selecting the “Proponent”
or “Opponent” radio button.
 
IV. TESTIMONY: Select the “Record of Appearance Only” radio button.
If filing manually, complete the Captcha challenge and agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement.
 
Then click Create Slip.
 
Make sure to also include these bills in your opposition phone calls to your

State Representatives. 
 
 
 
  

 

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For Those In Illinois

February 26, 2018 by

It goes without saying that the gun prohibitionists in the Illinois General Assembly are trying to make hay out of the tragedy in Parkland, Florida. The Illinois State Rifle Association sent out an action alert yesterday saying that Wednesday, Feb. 28th, will be “gun day” in the legislature. If you live in Illinois, it is time to be calling your local representatives.

From ISRA:

Wednesday, February 28th, has been
deemed “GUN DAY” by the Illinois Legislature, and the cast of anti-2A
usual suspects will be amassing in the State Capitol of Springfield.
They are emboldened by the fever pitch of the recent tragedy in Florida
and feel the wind is at their back as they move, as always, to infringe
further upon the rights given to us by our Founding Forefathers. The
primary pieces of legislation that will be voted on will likely be
overreaching 
“assault weapons” restrictions, the gun dealer licensing bill and its
grossly inadequate trailer bill.

We at the Illinois State Rifle Association and Springfield Armory are
heartbroken and disturbed by the acts of violence in Florida, committed
by a mentally unstable individual that so many that knew, and reported,
to be a danger to our citizens.

It is only natural in times like these to want to do SOMETHING. It is
also in times like this that we must not act solely for the sake of
acting. Clear headed discussions, free of emotion and knee-jerk
reactions must be the order of the day. We must do something to protect
our children so that these horrible acts are stopped for good. We also
must do what is necessary to ensure the survival of our Second
Amendment, the Amendment that protects all others. The Amendment our
Founders trusted to
our Republic with the words “Shall Not be Infringed”. These rights were
fought for and earned with the blood of American Patriots at places like
Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and Trenton.

Now is the time to act. With the specter of further
2A infringements looming tall over Springfield, Illinois in the coming
week, it is imperative that you contact your State Legislators and
demand that they uphold their Oath to protect the Constitution of our
beloved United States of America – and let them know you oppose any type
of “assault weapons” restrictions, the gun dealer licensing bill and
its grossly inadequate trailer bill. Freedom is not free. It
must be fought for against the forces who would happily give up our most
sacred rights and freedoms.

Please use the link below to identify and get contact information for
your Illinois State Representative and Illinois State Senator:

http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/addressfinder.aspx

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
– William Pitt (the Younger), Speech in the House of Commons, November 18, 1783

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It Begins Again In Illinois

October 21, 2013 by

When the legislature returns to town, it is always a time be on guard. It doesn’t matter if it is Washington DC, Raleigh, or, in this case, Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois General Assembly reconvenes tomorrow, October 21st, and the anti-gunners are seeking to cut back some of the items contained in the shall-issue concealed carry act that passed in July.

The Illinois State Rifle Association has sent out an alert regarding four bills that the gun prohibitionists are proposing including ones that would ban concealed carry in restaurants that serve alcohol, increase penalties for carrying in prohibited areas, and eliminate safe havens for gun owners near school zones.

On the good side are three bills including one that would provide for reciprocity between Illinois and a number of other states. Currently, the only way a non-resident of Illinois may carry once the Illinois State Police implement the concealed carry law is by getting an Illinois non-resident carry license.

The full alert from ISRA is below:

ANTI-GUNNERS BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO DISMANTLE CONCEALED CARRY

The Illinois General Assembly returns to session Monday, October 21st, and the anti-gunners are wasting no time in attempting to dismantle the concealed carry bill passed last spring. Your help is desperately needed to shut down the gun control movement’s efforts to strip you of your fundamental right to defend yourself and your family from muggers, murderers, robbers and rapists.

We also need your help to support 3 pro-concealed carry bills that have been introduced. The details on all the bills are below:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY AND TAKE THE ACTIONS LISTED TO HELP SAVE YOUR RIGHTS

HB3646 – DANGEROUS BILL – Bans Concealed Carry in any restaurant that has alcoholic beverages on the menu. Drastically reduces your choices on when and how to protect yourself. This bill is a foot in the door to create a growing list of places where you will be prohibited from protecting yourself and your family from dangerous criminals.

HB3669 – DANGEROUS BILL – This bill eliminates “safe haven” provisions for areas near schools – meaning that you could not even have a firearm locked in your trunk if you drive on to ANY property controlled by a school district. Once again, this bill would severely limit your self defense options and would make you a felon for doing nothing more than possessing a firearm. Under this bill, you would have to leave your defensive firearms at home if your plans called for you to enter any lands controlled by a school district. The real purpose of this bill is to pave the way for sweeping prohibitions on concealed carry that would make self defense impractical and a serious legal risk for most Illinois citizens.

HB3675 – DANGEROUS BILL – This bill would severely increase penalties for persons found to be carrying firearms in restricted areas. This bill is designed solely to scare law-abiding citizens out of carrying defensive firearms. This bill in no way targets gang-bangers or other violent criminals.

SB2594 – DANGEROUS BILL – This is another bill that would prohibit carry in restaurants that have alcoholic beverages on the menu.

HB3651 – GOOD BILL – This bill lowers the burdensome 16-hour training rule to a more reasonable 8-hour requirement. This bill also eliminates the re-training requirements for carry permit renewals. In short, this bill undoes that anti-gunners’ attempts to discourage people from applying for carry permits by easing burdensome training requirements.

HB3650 – GOOD BILL – This bill provides for concealed carry reciprocity between Illinois and dozens of other states.

HB3649 – GOOD BILL – This bill reduces the exorbitant fees the State Police plan on charging people for permit applications. The state should not be allowed to price-gouge citizens who want to defend themselves. This bill would make fees more reasonable and thus allow greater access to self defense for Illinois citizens.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE:

1. Call your State Representative and politely tell him/her that you are a law-abiding firearm owner and you do not want your right to self defense diminished for political reasons. Ask him/her to vote AGAINST HB3646; HB3669; HB3675.

2. While on the phone with your Representative, tell him/her that you would like them to vote FOR HB3649; HB3650 and HB3651.

3. Call your State Senator and politely tell him/her that you are a law-abiding firearm owner and that you do not want your right to self defense diminished for political reasons. Ask him/her to vote AGAINST SB2594.

4. Post this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards or blogs to which you belong.

5. Pass this alert along to all your gun owning friends and family members – ask them to take action as well.

6. Please consider a generous donation to the ISRA so that we can continue to fight against those who would take your gun rights away from you.

If you do not know who your State Representative or State Senator is, the Illinois State Board of Elections has an interactive search page here:
www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx

If you already know who your State Representative and State Senator are and just need the contact info, you can find that here: www.ilga.gov/house & www.ilga.gov/senate .

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Concealed Carry Bill Passes Both Illinois Houses

May 31, 2013 by 3 Comments

Illinois will have shall-issue concealed carry regardless of whether Gov. Pat Quinn likes it or not. Today, both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed the compromise bill, HB183, by a greater than a 75% margin.

First, HB183 with the language of Amendments 5, 6, and 7 passed the State Senate by a vote of 45 yea, 12 nay, and 1 present on its Third Reading. The one present vote was by Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago). The yea votes did include State Senate President John Cullerton who is no fan of gun rights.

The bill then went to the House of Representatives for concurrence on Amendments 5, 6, and 7. Amendment 5 which was the major part of the bill passed with an 89 yea to 28 nay vote. Likewise, Amendment 6 and Amendment 7 received concurrence by the same vote margin.

The bill now goes to the governor’s desk where Gov. Quinn now has 60 days to either sign or veto the bill. However, the stay from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals expires on June 9th. I would presume that Quinn will need to act sooner than later if he doesn’t want the courts to intervene.

Video from the Senate vote is below: