On Sunday, March 10, 2019, a pro-Second Amendment Rally was held in Effingham, Illinois, with 1602 people attending.  I have never seen a rally this large and enthusiastic outside of IGOLD.  It is very important that everyone possible attend IGOLD on Wednesday, March 27th.  The rally in Effingham is indicative of what is going on in Illinois outside of Chicago.  When HR0101 came up, the resolution to separate Chicago from the rest of the State, the cheers were long and loud.  It is not that Downstaters hate the people in Chicago, it is that they hate being ruled by Chicago politicians and their country bumpkin attitude toward the rest of the State.

Chicago has a crime problem that is multiplied by not enforcing the laws already on the books.  Instead, Chicago prefers making their crime problem everyone else’s problem.  One of the obvious ways they do that is by trying to inflict Chicago Style Gun Control on everyone else in the state.  Those same people promote their own hoplophobic neuroses about firearms, trying to make it the new normal.  They try to make everyone afraid of firearms. 

Chicago exports many of their crime problems to other parts of the state.  If you live in cities, villages or a town outside of Chicago, you have probably noticed your community has changed.  The municipalities along the interstates are most affected.  I live in an area that actually has a name for it, known as the
I-55/I-57 effect.  I live right between the two interstates; the City is exporting less desirable people into downstate Illinois.

There are unscrupulous landlords converting entire apartment complexes into section 8 housing.  This, of course, drives the decent residents out and turns these locations into an island of crime in an otherwise good place.  Watch the news media and see where the arrested criminals have their origins.  Ask the local police were these new criminal imports come from.  If you are in a city that is large enough, ask an Uber or Lyft driver where they hate to go or simply won’t go.  Of course, not everyone from Chicago fits this category, but enough do to change your community because many of these people have criminal records.  If that won’t make you get your ICCL, nothing will.

Now back to the rallies.  The ISRA will be scheduling more rallies around the state.  If one is held near you please try to attend and bring someone with you.  I have often mentioned this is going to be a long and expensive fight.  We need more people on our side.  Please ask everyone you know to join the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Congratulations to the people of Kentucky.  The Kentucky Governor just signed into law Constitutional Carry for those over 21 with no criminal record.  If you wish to leave the state you can get a permit.  Kentucky is the 16^th state to pass Constitutional Carry.

Thanks for being a member.

Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar
For more information, visit www.isra.org

Saturday, March 16, 2019
ISRA Junior Highpower Team Kickoff Meeting
RSO Meeting
Basic Pistol Class for Women Only (Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club)
Illinois State Indoor Championship (Elgin Rifle Club)
Illinois State Indoor Championship (Elgin Rifle Club)

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Air Rifle League & Practice

Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Air Pistol League & Practice

Saturday, March 23, 2019
ISRA Concealed Carry Renewal Class

Sunday, March 24, 2019
Pistol Instructor Class
ISRA Marksmanship League
ISRA Marksmanship .22 Challenge
Illinois State Indoor Championship (Sandy Ford Sportsman’s Club)
Illinois State Indoor Championship (Highland Pistol & Rifle Club)

Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD)

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

Kankakee Gun Show
Kankakee, IL – Kankakee County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 16 & 17, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
             Sunday: 8:00-2:00
Admission: $6.00

McHenry County Gun Show
Woodstock, IL – McHenry County Fairgrounds
Date: March 17, 2019
Hours: Sunday: 8:00-1:00
Admission: $5.00

Crown Point Gun Show
Crown Point, IN – Lake County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 9:00-5:00
             Sunday: 9:00-3:00
Admission: $5.00

Aledo Gun Show
Aledo, IL – Aledo VFW Hall
Dates: March 23 & 24, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-5:00
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $3.00

Joliet Moose Gun Show
Joliet, IL – Joliet Moose Lodge
Date: March 30, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:00-4:00
Admission: $6.00

Sauk Trail Gun Show
Princeton, IL – Bureau County Fairgrounds
Dates: March 30 & 31, 2019
Hours: Saturday: 8:30-4:30
             Sunday: 8:30-3:00
Admission: $2.00


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