Free Republic

January 31, 2014 (CHICAGO) -- Police across Illinois have objected to just 236 applications from people seeking to carry concealed weapons out of 33,631 submitted to the state police.

The Chicago Tribune has reported that Illinois regulators have proposed new rules that would require users employing the state’s new medical marijuana law to give up their right to own a gun, even if they already have a state-issued firearms identification card or concealed carry license. Those of you who have filled out a 4473 form lately will recall that “unlawful users” of marijuana are disqualified from buying a gun, so it seems likely that state officials are trying to harmonize regulations with federal law. That’s ironic, of course, since federal law makes no provision for medical marijuana. NRA is...

Illinois State Representative Laura Fine was planning on holding a virulently anti-gun town hall meeting Wednesday evening in her district to lambast the new Illinois carry bill.On deck to support her was the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.The plan:  frighten her constituents with baseless fear-based demagoguery and emotional tugs on the heartstrings.  No doubt blood dancing and bloody shirt waving was on the agenda for little Laura Fine.The silly little woman was rumored to want to use the event to launch a campaign seek the repeal of Illinois’ new carry bill at the...

In the case, ILAFR v. City of Chicago, the District Court struck down Chicago's ban on all sales and transfers of firearms within the city today, though a status hearing is set for 14 January, where the court will give the City the opportunity to file a motion for stay pending appeal. The finding by the court in summary judgment for the plaintiff is in stark contrast to the short shrift that the second amendment received in the recent decision on the "Safe Act" in New York.  It is likely that both decisions will be appealed, but both are...

It was literally one of the most fulfilling events of my life. However, I didn't fully realize it at first. In late 2007, I thought it was time to get my life back on track after becoming totally blind two and a half years ago. Sure, there was my writing. And support of pro-family causes filled up many of my days. Yet there was something missing. However, I was soon to learn what it was. A few years ago, it was suggested I lead a project that would eventually result in a Nativity scene standing in the state Capitol Building...

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008, a privately-supported Nativity Scene will go on display in the state Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois. Solely funded and constructed as a result of donations from private citizens, the display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ will stand in the East Hall of the Capitol Building from December 2nd through the 28th. The Nativity Scene and events surrounding the exhibit are being organized by the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC). The scene--designed and constructed by Chicago-based builder Karl Fritz and his son master craftsman Timothy Fritz--will feature the baby Jesus, Joseph and...

The Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) will again erect a Nativity Scene that will stand in Illinois’ state Capitol Rotunda Building. Opening day ceremonies regarding the Springfield Nativity Scene (SNS) will take place between 12 Noon and 1 P.M. on December 1st in the state Capitol Rotunda located at South 2nd Street & East Capitol Avenue in Springfield, Illinois. The public is invited to attend the event. The Springfield Nativity Scene--which was originally underwritten by the Chicago-based Thomas More Society--is meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This year the display is co-sponsored by Isringhausen Imports of Springfield and...

For the third year in a row, a Nativity Scene will stand in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda Building this Christmas season. The Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) sponsors the religious display which features statues of the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in a hand-crafted manger setting. The Nativity scene is underwritten by the Chicago-based Thomas More Society http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/. "I am very honored to once again be part of a group that will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ," said Daniel T. Zanoza, Chairman, Springfield (Illinois) Nativity Scene Committee. "Besides its religious significance, the Nativity scene is a wonderful...

A controversial Nativity scene is on the verge of approval in Arlington Heights, though park district officials say they still want some questions answered from the private group that is requesting the display be installed.  On Friday, officials from the Arlington Heights Park District met with Jim Finnegan of the Illinois Nativity Scene Committee to review his group’s permit application for the Nativity display and to discuss its potential location in North School Park. Park district officials gave Finnegan a list of questions to answer — such as whether the group has insurance for the display — before it is...

The family of a 72-year-old woman is calling for change after she was arrested for a five-year-old seat belt ticket. “They said, ‘You got a warrant.’ A warrant? A warrant for what?” said Carol Fulscher, the woman arrested. “I never would’ve imagined in a million years that they would’ve arrested a 72-year-old woman,” said Jeanette Byrd, Carol’s daughter. Fulscher, comfortably sitting on her couch at her home in East Moline, was sitting in a jail cell Saturday night, December 21, 2013. “I was frightened to think that she was in a jail cell, with who knows who,” said Byrd. According...

Police say Demarcus Brandon was armed with a handgun, and tried to rob a cell phone store in the 1700 block of East 87th Street Tuesday night. The store’s owner who also had a handgun himself shot and killed him.

There are hundreds of immigration reform activists across the country who also counsel those in despair over pending deportations. Their work is often driven by the nightmarish realities of undocumented immigrants. On Friday, I received an unusual call in that I heard from an angry priest at his wit’s end over stalled immigration reform. Fr. Brendan Curran of St. Pius V in Pilsen called while standing outside the third-floor West Chicago office of Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam, R-Ill. Curran said that Roskam’s staffers closed the office and turned out the lights upon the arrival of his group of 12...

PPP: US Senate IL: Dick Durbin (D) 51% - Jim Oberweis (R) 36%

A large tornado tore through Washington, Ill., east of Peoria on Sunday, the National Weather Service said, part of a dangerous line of fast-moving storms that ripped through the Midwest

SPRINGFIELD, IL, November 7, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In its report Wednesday on the Illinois legislature’s passage of same-sex “marriage,” the Chicago Tribune cited two developments since May that helped the bill’s backers get the final votes they needed: the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling and Pope Francis’ comments on homosexuality. The paper quotes two Catholic state representatives who cited Pope Francis in explaining their decision to support the measure: Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan reportedly also secured between five and 10 additional votes to redefine marriage. The papal comments at issue came in an interview...

ROCKFORD - Sunday, an emboldened Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) pointed his Facebook followers to a Rockford Star editorial that lauds Kinzinger for slamming Ted Cruz and Congressional colleagues that stood against the debt ceiling being raised in last week's vote. Earlier in the week, the Congressman also criticized colleagues for how they handled the government shutdown. The home district editorial Kinzinger referenced called the small cadre of budget hawks in Congress -including Congressman Randy Hultgren, who was the only Illinois "no" vote on the debt ceiling vote - "nihilists" and "bullies": One who did show his mettle, however, was Rep....

Illegal immigrants, driving legally on the road. Next month, non-visa status people in Illinois can begin the process of obtaining a temporary driver's license. Despite the controversial law being on the books since January, many questions remain. "Public safety." "But they're here illegally." Those are the main arguments for and against a law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a temporary drivers license for three years. "This means freedom," Claudia Fabian, who came to the U.S. from Argentina, said. "It means being not scared anymore of maybe you are not going to be stopped that day and put in jail...

Illinoisans with a felony on their records will no longer be asked about their criminal past when they apply for state jobs. Promoting the decision to what he calls "Ban the Box," State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) says the governor's administrative order doesn't mean private employers will be required to hire ex-cons. It simply means applications for state government jobs will no longer include a box indicating whether an applicant has pled guilty, or been convicted of a criminal offense, other than a minor traffic violation. State agencies would still be allowed to conduct background checks, and request information...

AURORA — The Illinois office that issues driver’s licenses is preparing to roll out its biggest initiative in 14 years: helping undocumented immigrants apply for those licenses. Come December, when appointments become available to apply for the licenses, an Aurora facility will be one of 25 designated locations across the state where immigrants can go to get them. “This is our No. 1 priority right now in our office,” said Tom Benigno, chief of staff to Secretary of State Jesse White, who leads the office that is overseeing the initiative. Benigno joined State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and Alderman...

Councilwoman Jan Quillman said the night she squabbled with a firefighter she was greatly upset by the bloody "massacre scene" she happened upon when her mother-in-law injured a varicose vein.