Lt. Governor Sheila Simon brought together freshmen state Senators and Representatives to learn about different perspectives on gun ownership and work toward greater understanding across the geography of Illinois. Simon’s Working Group meet with stakeholders, including gun owners, hunters, law enforcement officials, mental health professionals, families of gun violence victims and educators. Simon also visited a Southern Illinois shooting range to learn more about the safe operation of firearms.
“Given the court order that currently requires the state to pass a concealed carry law, we, as state leaders, need to be able to engage in honest discussion. It's hard to have that honest discussion without fully understanding all perspectives on these issues,” Lt. Governor Simon said. “By bringing together new members to learn about deeply held – often regional – perspectives, I believe we will be better able to set law and policy for the state."
The Group's work concluded with the release of a 10-point checklist. The checklist was derived from meetings the group held with stakeholders on all sides of the gun debate and reflects principles the members think the General Assembly should consider when evaluating concealed carry legislation.
Working Group Members:
Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake)
Sen. Thomas Cullerton (D-Villa Park)
Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago)
Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Orland Park)
Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill)
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield)
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford)
Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago)
Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon)
Rep. Scott Drury (D-Highwood)
Rep. Josh Harms (R-Watseka)
Rep. Charles Meier (R-Highland)
Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago)
Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale)
Rep. Emanuel Welch (D-Hillside)
Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison)
Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach)
News
Column: Let's find common ground on guns
Chicago Sun-Times - April 11, 2013
Opinion: Simon group’s ideas largely on target
Southern Illinoisan - April 3, 2013
Lt. Gov. Simon visits gun range to tackle conceal carry law
KFVS 12 (Cape Girardeau, MO) - April 1, 2013
Simon introduces 10-point check list for concealed carry law
Southern Illinoisan - April 1, 2013
Lt. Governor Proposes Concealed Carry Checklist
WSIL 3 (Carterville) - April 1, 2013
Illinois Firearms Working Group meets with healthcare workers
NBC Rockford - February 27, 2013
Sheila Simon takes shot at new gun laws
Chicago Sun-Times - January 29, 1013
15 Illinois legislators join Firearms Working Group
Associated Press - January 29, 2013
Extra: Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon Brokers Gun Summit
Illinois Observer - January 29, 2013
Lt. Gov. Simon creates firearms working group
Associated Press - January 29, 2013
Simon forming group on concealed carry law
Associated Press - January 23, 2013
Press Releases
Lt. Governor Simon, members of Firearms Working Group release concealed carry checklist
Lt. Governor Simon’s Firearms Working Group meets with sponsor of gun legislation, gun owners
Simon’s Firearms Working Group meets with health care professionals
Lt. Governor Simon's Firearms Working Group to meet with families impacted by gun violence
Simon Launches Firearms Working Group
Additional Information
The court cases listed below reflect recent judicial opinions on gun laws:
2nd Circuit Court of Appeals: Kachalsky v. County of Westchester
4th Circuit Court of Appeals: Woolard v. Gallagher
7th Circuit Court of Appeals: Moore v. Madigan
10th Circuit Court of Appeals: Peterson v. Martinez
Contact
If you have any questions or comments about the Lt. Governor's Firearms Working Group, please contact us here.