The ISRA won a significant victory in Springfield this week. Our lobbying team successfully removed four provisions in a piece of legislation that would have negatively affected our CCL rights.

SB1977 and HB2020 are companion bills that are called the Innkeeper Protection Act. The Act’s role is to try and keep hotel/motel staff safe; however, a provision dealing with firearms emerged, which would make possessing a firearm a reason to kick a hotel guest out of the hotel. 

ISRA pushed back. 

The following is the key language the ISRA was opposed to:

(740 ILCS 90/11 new)

 Sec. 11. Right to eject.

(a)    A proprietor or manager of a hotel may remove or cause to be removed from a hotel a guest or other person who:

….

(4) brings property into the hotel that may be dangerous to other persons, including firearms or explosives;

Section (4) states that mere possession of a firearm can be cause to be removed from the hotel. 

Why did the ISRA think this was important?  

A person could, in good faith, bring their firearm into the hotel where a sign is not posted but then be tossed out of the hotel under this new Innkeeper Protection Act. 

Without those four provisions being pulled from the bill, the Innkeeper Protection Act would contradict the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. There are 22 prohibited places where carrying a firearm is illegal. A private entity, like a hotel, can prohibit carrying, but they must post a specific sign saying it is unlawful. CCL holders know to look for that sign.

To pull these four provisions from the bill, ISRA engaged the hotel industry lobbyists, and we are now neutral on the Innkeeper Protection Act. 

Your involvement in the ISRA makes a difference. Each day we are at the Capitol on your behalf. Thank you, ISRA members!