* Click here for background. Rep. Morgan…

State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), the chief sponsor of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, celebrated the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Illinois assault weapons ban on Friday.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the sale of assault weapons, which have consistently been used in mass shootings, as well as large capacity magazines and rapid fire devices. Prior to today’s Illinois Supreme Court ruling, the Act had already survived multiple constitutional challenges. On May 4, 2023, the 7th Circuit Federal Appeals Court rejected a temporary injunction from a lower court judge. On May 17, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court also declined to block the law.

“With the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act, this common-sense gun reform law continues in full force, despite the efforts of the gun lobby,” said Rep. Morgan. “Since its enactment in January, this law has already prevented the sales of thousands of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, making Illinois safer for our families. The federal courts will continue to assess this law, but today’s ruling prioritizes public safety over the gun lobby trying to impose their dangerous, extreme views through the judiciary.”

Morgan, who is the Chair of the House Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group, is recognized as a legislative champion of gun safety in Illinois, and is working with other national leaders to reduce gun deaths. Morgan witnessed the devastating effects that gun violence can have on a community. Highland Park, Illinois is a part of his 58th District, and he was present at the July 4th, 2022 mass shooting with his wife and children, during which 83 rounds were fired in less than 60 seconds, killing seven and injuring 48 people.

* Sen. Sims…

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“Today’s decision is a victory for public safety, a victory for communities, a victory for the far too many victims and survivors of gun violence who demand action to pass commonsense gun laws in our state.

“Our communities are tired of the of gun violence plaguing our streets and today’s decision reinforces that Illinois is taking the steps necessary to protect our neighbors and their families. I will rest a bit easier knowing that not only my family, but countless other families, will be protected as they travel to work, school, the mall or church.

“Limiting access to high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons will save countless lives. While the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision is a massive step toward ending the bloodshed on our streets, more work is needed to ensure that the tragic gun violence epidemic ends once and for all. I renew my commitment to be a voice and advocate for the victims who have lost their lives to gun violence and for their families who are counting on elected officials for the changes we need to ensure what happened to their loved one doesn’t happen to someone else.

“We celebrate today’s decision, but our work continues.”

* Speaker Welch…

House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld House Democrats’ law banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:

“The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the legislature’s commitment to value the lives of our children over guns. This ruling makes it clear that the safety of our cities, our suburbs, and our small towns is not subject to the veto of the gun lobby. Such statements should not be profound or controversial, but in a time when the specter of gun violence looms over every aspect of our lives and preventable tragedies are seemingly a daily occurrence in communities small and large across the country, this ruling in favor of commonsense gun safety is monumental.

“I want to thank Representative Bob Morgan and Representative Maura Hirschauer, who championed this legislation, along with all the members of the Firearm Safety Working Group who dedicated so much time to meeting with stakeholders, studying efforts undertaken in other states, and utilizing that insight to create one of the nation’s strongest gun safety laws.

“We know there is more work to be done. We know no single law can make up for decades of Washington politicians allowing federal regulation to wither and neighboring states refusing even the most reasonable measures to address unregulated gun sales. Our commitment to value innocent lives calls on us to continue the work to get guns out of the wrong hands, to expand access to mental health treatment, and to invest in community-based approaches to violence prevention. I encourage our Republican colleagues to join in these efforts as partners, rather than litigants.”

* Sen. Morrison…

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly’s assault weapons ban:

“I commend the Illinois Supreme Court for taking appropriate action to ensure our state becomes safer. Military-style weapons designed for war have no use on our streets and in our neighborhoods.”

Senator Morrison first led an assault weapons ban bill in 2017. She was instrumental in the passage of the measure passed in January, which came just six after she and her family ran for their lives during the 2022 Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

This post will be updated.

…Adding… Advocates…

“Weapons and accessories designed for the battlefield shouldn’t have a place in our communities,” said Nick Suplina, Senior Vice President for Law and Public Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Communities across Illinois cannot afford another tragedy like Highland Park to occur and today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court ensures that we can keep these deadly weapons of war off our streets.”

“For years, moms, students, survivors of gun violence and other community safety advocates fought hard to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation in Illinois,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action. “Today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court is an incredible victory for our dedicated volunteers who were relentless in their advocacy to pass this life-saving legislation, especially in the aftermath of the tragedy in Highland Park.”

“Earlier this year, following the tireless advocacy of Illinois’ chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, our state took a huge step in preventing gun violence in our communities by banning weapons and accessories of war,” said Sheri Williams, co-chapter lead of the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The Supreme Court’s decision today put public safety over the gun lobby’s agenda, and our families will all be safer because of it.”

* One Aim Illinois…

“Today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of saving lives, without any violation to people’s 2nd Amendment rights. Military-style assault weapons are used for the purpose of killing at a high volume. In fact, data shows that when assault weapons or high-capacity magazines are used about 50% more people are killed and more than twice as many are shot. Today’s decision validates the work done by survivors, advocates and legislators from every corner of Illinois. Our children, our families, and our entire state will be safer for it.”

* Senate President Harmon…

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement regarding the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the state’s assault weapons ban.

“This is a victory for common sense. Weapons of war have no place on our streets. I am proud to have worked on it and even prouder to see it upheld in court today.”

Harmon was the sponsor of the legislation creating the assault weapons ban.

* Rep. Hirschauer…

State Rep. Maura Hirschauer released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld legislation she worked to pass banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:

“I applaud today’s ruling for commonsense gun safety as a lawmaker, as a Moms Demand Action volunteer, and as a mother myself. First and foremost, I’m glad to see our Supreme Court upholding the work so many of my neighbors sent me to Springfield to do. I know there is more work to be done, so I am heartened to see that the voices of so many students, moms, and other advocates means more than the money and clout of the gun lobby. And I’m grateful to know, at least in Illinois, we will value our children more than we value guns. We will not accept the national mania that would have us believe that seeing people massacred in our classrooms, in movie theaters, and on our streets is a price we must pay again and again. We will act on behalf of the students who have spoken clearly about the need for change; we will comfort the parents who drop their kids off at school and say a silent prayer that they make it home safe; and we will continue the work of ending gun violence in every community in this state.”

* Gov. Pritzker…

“I am pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act. This is a commonsense gun reform law to keep mass-killing machines off of our streets and out of our schools, malls, parks, and places of worship. Illinoisans deserve to feel safe in every corner of our state—whether they are attending a Fourth of July Parade or heading to work—and that’s precisely what the Protect Illinois Communities Act accomplishes. This decision is a win for advocates, survivors, and families alike because it preserves this nation-leading legislation to combat gun violence and save countless lives.

* Sen. Feigenholtz…

In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the Protect Illinois Communities Act, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“For decades, the gun lobby has cloaked themselves in the Second Amendment and has purported that America has to live with mass shootings caused by military-style weapons in order to protect their rights. Today in Illinois that ends. The gun lobby has lost and the safety of our communities has won.

“I want survivors of gun violence and loved ones of people killed by guns to know they are not alone in their pain. We are lucky to have so many dedicated advocates and survivors in our state who stepped up and won this fight by talking to their neighbors, sharing their stories, making their voices heard and standing up to those who seek to encourage the use of these weapons in our communities.

“Simply put, this measure will save countless lives. Though no one should have to carry the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence, I thank the many survivors and family members who so bravely shared their stories to get this measure codified into law.”

* DPI…

Following the Illinois Supreme Court decision to uphold the Protect Illinois Communities Act, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement:

“Today, the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, an important victory in the fight to end preventable and senseless gun violence. All Illinoisans deserve to live without fear of being gunned down at school, at parades, in houses of worship, or in any of our communities. Illinois Democrats are leading the way to make that a reality. It is essential that we keep these lethal weapons out of the wrong hands, and I thank Governor Pritzker, President Harmon, Speaker Welch, and Representative Morgan for their commitment to protecting the wellbeing of all Illinoisans. We will continue our work to protect our children, our communities, and our right to live in a world free from gun violence,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.

* LG Stratton…

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton released the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the Protect Illinois Communities Act:

“Today the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed that we are on the right side of history in the work to end mass shootings by upholding the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Even as we acknowledge the significance of this ruling, we keep in our memories the countless lives lost and disrupted by senseless gun violence. By banning assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, and more, today’s victory takes us further in improving our gun safety efforts and building healthier, stronger communities in our state.

“I thank Governor Pritzker, the General Assembly and the thousands of advocates who came together to say, “enough is enough.” There is more work to do, and we are driven to protect the people of Illinois and continue our efforts to make Illinois the safest state in our nation.”

* Sen. Castro…

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) issued the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the assault weapons ban within the Protect Illinois Communities Act:

“Today marks a historic step in ending the continuous gun violence in our neighborhoods and across our state. With a plan in place that bans these weapons, strengthens our ‘red flag’ laws and bans rapid-fire devices, the historic provisions in the Protect Illinois Communities Act will save lives and prevent further tragedies in every corner of our state.

“Reducing the ways dangerous people can obtain automatic weapons creates safer communities. As mass shootings become more and more common, and the use of military-style weapons continues unabated, more lives will be lost without action. Today’s decision shows the rest of the nation that Illinois continues to be a model for transformative change and progress, even when it seems impossible.

“All communities deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, places of worship and public spaces. The tragic mass shooting in Highland Park last Fourth of July only intensified the need for action. I have heard from residents across the 22nd District – families have had enough. If the federal government won’t step up to save lives and keep violent weapons off our streets, it’s up to us to keep our communities safe.”

* Sen. Aquino…

In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on House Bill 5471, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“For far too long, communities across our state and nation have felt the scourge of gun violence in their everyday lives – including our children. With this provision in place, we’re sending a message to the people across our state that we will not tolerate weapons of war flooding our communities, killing our neighbors, family and children.

“There is no reason these weapons should be available for any reason other than for trained law enforcement and military officers to uphold public safety. As a parent, I want to see my children live and grow up without the fear of mass shootings at school or in their communities. Moving forward with the implementation of this law moves us closer to that world.”

* Attorney General Kwame Raoul…

We are pleased with the court’s decision. The Protect Illinois Communities Act is a critical part of a multi-faceted approach to addressing gun violence. We are firmly committed to protecting Illinois residents from the gun violence that impacts too many communities throughout the state. We will continue to defend the constitutionality of the Protect Illinois Communities Act and other measures that reduce gun violence in our communities.

* Sen. Bryant ignores the fact that one of the justices Pritzker supported last year dissented from the majority…

State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to uphold the state’s “assault weapons” ban:

“While the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling is disappointing, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. The Governor’s hand-picked court provided him cover by not ruling on whether this law violates the 2nd Amendment. But even the Governor knows that this law won’t stand on the grounds of our constitutional right to bear arms when it makes its way through the federal court system.

“I will continue to stand behind and support law-abiding gun owners who want nothing more than to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights and look forward to closely watching the other legal cases currently going through our federal court system.”

* Rep. Windhorst actually quotes MKO…

House Republican Floor Leader State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) issued the following statement upon learning of the Illinois State Supreme Court’s 4-3 ruling upholding the controversial firearms and magazine ban signed into law in January.

“I was vigorously opposed to the firearms and magazine ban that I believe unfairly and unconstitutionally outlaws firearms and magazines in common use by millions of law-abiding Illinois citizens. Today’s ruling is a disappointment, but I am not surprised given the current makeup of the State Supreme Court.

“For years, I have stood with the law-abiding citizens of Illinois in defense of their right to carry firearms and use them responsibly. For decades, Democrats in Springfield have worked to undermine and take away these 2nd Amendment rights. While we may hear declarations of victory from politicians from the Democratic side of the aisle today, we must remember that there is currently a federal lawsuit pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The United States Constitution clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I remain hopeful that the lawsuit pending on the federal docket will be successful, and ultimately the nation’s highest court will deem Illinois’ firearms and magazine ban unconstitutional.

“Democratic Justice Mary K. O’Brien, in her dissent wrote the classifications of firearms and magazines banned, “Do not and will not reasonably remedy the evils the legislation was designed to combat.”

“Instead of addressing crime and criminal behavior, Democratic politicians have continuously passed laws that help criminals avoid punishment and consequences for their criminal actions. A firearms ban will do nothing to stop criminals bent on committing mass shootings or other acts of violence.”

* ISRA…

On Friday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision in the Caulkins v. Pritzker case, that the assault weapons ban does not violate the state constitution. Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association – one of the oldest and most respected gun organizations in the United States, released the following statement:

“Today’s 4-3 decision by the Illinois Supreme Court that the assault weapons ban does not violate the constitution, was no surprise. But gun advocates across the state should not lose hope because our federal case — the ISRA case — which we expect to go before the U.S. Supreme Court, will prove to be a victory not just for law-abiding gun owners in Illinois — but across the country. And the ISRA and the Second Amendment Foundation are proud to stand up for gun owners as we take our case to the highest court in the land.”

* US Rep. Miller…

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) issued the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Governor JB Pritzker’s unconstitutional Illinois gun ban.

“The Illinois Supreme Court ignored the Second Amendment by upholding JB Pritzker’s unconstitutional gun ban,” Miller said. “JB Pritzker’s goal is to defund the police, release dangerous criminals onto the streets with his “SAFE-T Act,” and take away your ability to protect yourself and your family. This fight is not over, and the Second Amendment will prevail!”

* Esther Sanchez-Gomez, Litigation Director, GIFFORDS Law Center…

“GIFFORDS applauds the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s assault weapon and large capacity magazine regulations. This commonsense law is consistent with the Second Amendment, under which state and local governments have always been empowered to act to protect public safety. This law will undoubtedly save lives.”

* Sen. Chesney…

On Friday morning, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling that upholds the controversial assault-style weapons and magazines ban law. The U.S. Supreme Court will likely decide the issue. In response to the ruling, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport), issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed, yet not surprised, that the highly politicized Illinois Supreme Court has chosen to act yet again as a rubber stamp for the Illinois Democratic Party. As long as Democrat lawmakers continue to go after law-abiding citizens rather than the criminals who abuse their gun rights, crime in all forms will continue to rise.”

* Sen. Anderson…

State Senator Neil Anderson’s (R-Andalusia) released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on Illinois’ recently enacted gun ban:

“Today, Governor Pritzker was protected by his hand-picked Illinois Supreme Court, which chose not to rule on the merits of the 2nd Amendment. It’s clear that Illinois’ gun ban law violates our right to bear arms and Illinoisans will get a fair shake at getting their rights restored when this law is taken up at the federal level.

“As always, I stand firm behind law-abiding gun owners and will fight against any attempt to infringe on our constitutional rights.”

* Sen. Rose…

State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) released the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled to uphold the recently passed gun ban:

“Despite what the Illinois Supreme Court may have ruled, I remain confident that the rights of law-abiding citizens will be upheld in federal court. I would remind everyone that under the Democrats’ other legislative push, the so-called SAFE-T Act, that criminals are running our streets, because the Democrats and their allies fail to enforce the countless criminal statutes that were already in place. They don’t want to arrest and prosecute actual criminals, but they continue going after law abiding citizens. Until you get serious about actually putting bad guys behind bars, all crime, including gun crimes, will remain rampant. That lies solely at the feet of JB Pritzker and his Democrats.

* Sen. Plummer…

State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the state’s recently enacted gun ban.

“Today the Illinois Supreme Court tried to thread a needle by refusing to rule on some extremely important aspects of this case, including whether the ban violates the Second Amendment. The justices in the majority stood by their political patrons, not the people of Illinois. But they also clearly showed that they are worried about being overruled by the federal case. The issue sits in the federal courts now, where I pray they have the courage and the decency to put the constitution over petty politics.”

* Sen. McClure…

State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s recently enacted gun ban:

“This ruling went as expected, with Illinois’ very political state Supreme Court ruling to protect their allies in the majority party. There are lawsuits against this ban which are still underway in the federal system, and which have a much better chance of getting a fair ruling on the merits of the law. I believe the gun ban is unconstitutional, which is why I joined with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to oppose it in the General Assembly. I am optimistic that our nation’s highest court will agree and will overturn the law.”

* Rep. Weber…

Following the 4-3 split ruling issued today by the Illinois Supreme Court to uphold the state’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “large capacity magazines,” State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) issued the following response:

“Once again, the gerrymandered Illinois Supreme Court has issued a ruling based more on partisan preference than constitutional reality. The fact that the majority opinion used a procedural dance around to avoid addressing the second amendment question says it all. Ultimately, it will be up to the federal courts now.”

* Rep. Niemerg…

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) is issuing the following statement on the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on DAN CAULKINS et al., Appellees, v. JAY ROBERT PRITZKER, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Illinois, et al.

“There was little doubt going into the release of this ruling of how our completely partisan Supreme Court would decide this case. Politics trumps all in the corrupt State of Illinois. This law unequally applies the law by granting some FOID card holders the right to bear certain types of firearms but denies that same right to others. It violates Article IV Section 8 (d) of the Constitution which requires all bills to be read three times. And it violates the Second Amendment. If the ruling class in Illinois had even a shred of honesty and decency the rights of honest citizens would have been protected today. Instead, the far-left activists on the Supreme Court decided to put politics above the law. This decision – while not a surprising one – is the outcome Governor Pritzker bought with the millions of dollars he put into Supreme Court races in the last election. Today is a dark day for Illinois.”

* Rep. Stava-Murray…

Following the statewide assault weapons ban signed into law earlier this year being upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, issued the following statement:

“Today’s holding by the Illinois Supreme Court affirms what those of us who supported this landmark bill knew all along: there is nothing about it that is unconstitutional or legally questionable. Keeping weapons of war out of our neighborhoods and communities and preventing their use in domestic terror attacks and mass shootings is a completely normal and necessary government function in any sane society.

“We knew from the beginning that there would be a reaction from partisan extremists who want these weapons easily accessible to the masses. But today the state’s highest court upheld the principle that public safety is far and away more important than the subjective wants of a fringe minority.

“The fight isn’t over, because other lawsuits are still working their way through federal courts. But today’s holding shows that there’s reason for optimism. We can look forward to a safer, saner Illinois where families can live with greater peace of mind.”

* Rep. Fritts…

Following the release of the Illinois Supreme Court Decision to uphold legislation enforcing a gun and magazine ban, State Representative Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) released the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling comes as no surprise. As elected officials, we take an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. It is disappointing to see some officials put political ideology ahead of that promise. Instead of ruling on the question of law at hand, the majority opinion is hiding behind a procedural ruling that does not address the constitutional violations present in this legislation.

“The second amendment is clear: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This legislation severely restricts the rights and freedoms we are granted as citizens of the United States in our Constitution. I am confident that the United States Supreme Court will ultimately overturn this law and protect law-abiding gun owners in our state.”

* Rep. Coffey…

Today the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the firearms ban is constitutional and will uphold legislation enforcing strict new laws. State Representative Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) knows how dangerous this law is and he is furious about how quickly it was passed through the lame-duck session.

“Passing unconstitutional laws during the lame-duck session to please donors sheds light on how this administration operates in the capital and should be condemned,” said Coffey. “The firearms ban is outright ridiculous and strips away the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens”.

This firearms ban is a direct attack on common use firearms used for personal protection. If Democrats want to curb gun violence, they should focus on enforcing current laws, prosecute criminals, and allow law enforcement to protect the people. Banning firearms, standard size magazines, and forcing citizens to register their firearms does absolutely nothing to improve public safety.

This administration and their agenda are making criminals out of law-abiding citizens while the actual criminals continue to be rewarded with Democratic gifts. Illinois residents should not be subjected to continuous attacks from their own government who undermines their constitutional rights.

* IL FOP…

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge President Chris Southwood issued the following statement today regarding the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law that bans the sale and further regulates the ownership of semiautomatic weapons in Illinois:

“The Illinois General Assembly’s recent actions have made it harder and more dangerous to be a cop and for police officers to protect the general public. Now, with this decision, the Illinois Supreme Court has indicated it is willing to go along with a law that removes an important self-defense option for law-abiding citizens to use when the police aren’t nearby. Thankfully, this case will now be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Illinois’ citizens may be given the fighting chance they deserve.”

“Make no mistake, criminals will always find a way to use banned firearms against the police and the citizens we are sworn to protect. Suddenly making law-abiding citizens into criminals will put all of us more at the mercy of lawbreakers. We are optimistic that the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down this law and keep police from becoming dreaded, gun-confiscating agents of the government.”

* IDPH and DHS…

Statement from Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health:

“I am pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Easy access to assault-style weapons has created a clear and present danger for Illinoisans. Gun violence is a significant public health threat in Illinois, and the public deserves the right to be free from the threat of mass shootings. IDPH will continue its efforts to reduce gun violence, through the ongoing distribution of gun locks and other firearms safety initiatives to prevent such tragedies.”

Statement from Grace B. Hou, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services:

“Here at IDHS, we are committed to ending cycles of violence in communities that have been disproportionately impacted for generations. The Illinois Supreme Court made the right decision today to uphold an act meant to protect these communities from further harm. I’m thankful for the relentless work of so many advocates, our legislative leaders, Gov. JB Pritzker and his administration, and community outreach and violence prevention workers who have made reducing gun violence a priority in Illinois. IDHS will continue to advance our efforts and investment in public safety through initiatives like the Reimagine Public Safety Act and our Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. By utilizing data to inform where help is most needed, we continue to address both immediate needs and systematic change to reduce gun violence, and most importantly, reach even more communities that have historically been left to fend for themselves.”

* Sen. Simmons…

As a tireless advocate in the fight against gun violence, State Senator Mike Simmons attended the annual Everytown for Gun Safety gathering in Chicago on Friday, August 11 where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the urgency of the fight for stronger gun laws; the same day the Illinois Supreme Court decided to uphold the assault weapon ban.

“Today is a historic day - the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the Protect Illinois Communities Act which bans the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, a law I strongly supported and helped pass in January. Coinciding with Vice President Harris’ visit to address the epidemic of gun violence, today we have made progress in making our communities safer,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Gun violence has left us all traumatized from neighborhoods in Chicago to suburbs and small towns. Collectively we must step up our efforts to advocate for and pass stronger legislation to get weapons of war off our streets and impose enforcement mechanisms that will help us make our communities safer. We also have to step up our investments in community-based programming that we know helps our neighbors recover from the emotional trauma that grips communities hit by the gun violence epidemic.”

Alongside thousands of activists, volunteers and survivors of gun violence, Simmons listened to Vice President Harris discuss the commitment of The Biden Administration to reduce gun violence during a moderated conversation with Moms Demand Action’s Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala.

The gun safety legislation upheld Friday bans the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and places a ban on rapid-fire devices and increases the duration of a Firearm Restraining Order from six months to up to one year.

Studies show that approximately one-third of public mass shooting events include the use of an assault weapon, and nearly 40% involve a high-capacity magazine.

“I will continue to be aggressive in supporting stronger gun control legislation. I want our children to be able to walk to school and feel safe, moms and dads to see their children grow up and become adults, and for our schools, places of worship, public transit, and nightclubs to be places where we can live and gather in peace,” said Simmons. “Thank you to so many of my constituents whose lives have been directly impacted by gun violence who have partnered with my office to make our advocacy efforts on gun control more robust and directly responsive to the lived experiences of 7th District residents and people all across Illinois.”

* Rep. Rashid…

State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid released the following statement following the Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding the ban on assault weapons:

“I applaud the decision by the Illinois Supreme Court for upholding common sense gun reform legislation. We cannot afford to grow desensitized to the tragic toll of gun violence. Let’s be clear: this court ruling was a critical step forward for our state, but our work is not done. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues and advocates to ensure Illinois is at the forefront of protecting our communities from the scourge of gun violence.”