(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois House Republicans are both condemning and praising a recent federal judge ruling about illegal immigrants being able to carry firearms for protection. It was earlier this month that a Northern District of Illinois judge ruled in favor of a foreign national in the U.S. illegally, who was charged with unlawful possession of a gun, saying that the law violates the Second Amendment as applied in this one case, therefore in turn dismissing all charges. While a downstate lawmaker last Friday noted the decision on the House floor in Springfield, he then praised the ruling, saying that standard means Illinois’ Firearm Owners ID Card law should in turn be struck down. Others add that if a person who’s not legally in Illinois can have his constitutional rights to have a firearm, without an FOID card, what about those that are true citizens of Illinois. To clarify a law that was approved by the Democratic controlled General Assemby last year, House Bill 5790 was introduced last week that says illegal immigrants cannot become law enforcement.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved its annual five year Crossing Safety Improvement Program to implement life-saving safety upgrades at highway-rail crossings throughout the state. Last year in 2023, preliminary statistics show there were 90 collisions at public-highway-rail crossings in Illinois, compared to 123 the year before in 2022, a nearly 27% decrease. With just over 1,300 rail crossings in Illinois, there were 18 fatalities from such collisions, a drop from 28 fatalities in 2022.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Manufacturers Association’s “Makers Madness” contest continues as statewide voters go online to choose the “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.” With voting in the Sweet 16 Round ending this past Sunday, the second round of voting among the top eight runs today through Easter Sunday. It was earlier this month that the competition kicked off with nominations of more than 200 products made across the state. The final round of voting with the top four selections will be April 2nd through the 7th with the winner to be announced April 10th. Go online now and vote at makersmadnessil.com.